Does making a list really work?

[shadon]

Re: Does making a list really work?

A resounding "YES" from me. This is what I do:

1. Decide the grocery budget

2. Menu Plan

3. make list based on menu plan and other items needed

4. Use a calculator to keep a rough track of your spending (I use the calculator function on my mobile phone)

5. don't stray from list unless within your budget (which you will know because you are using the calculator), that way if there is a great special on you can stock up if you have enough funds left in your budget.

[ChillPhatCat]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I only make a list if there's something I need for a recipe, otherwise it's just food I want to eat that week. I limit the purcase to one junk food item if any, a bag of oreos or a package of swiss cake rolls or a 12 pack of soda... I try to limit this to a $5 maximum and only buy one thing. From past trips I know just about what I need for one week and how to make each week come out to about $30. My eating habits are very consistent.

[Ima saver]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I made a list of what I needed at the grocery store and only spent $38 today. I thought that was pretty good since $5 of that was for garbage bags. I use to buy the small box of bags for about $1.88 and that lasted about 2 weeks. The big box lasts about 2 months.

[contrary1]

Re: Does making a list really work?

My list works great............I've got a tenant here that has taken grocery shopping as her household contribution.........So, the list gets compiled on the fridge & when it warrants a trip to the store, off she goes. Gets the things on the list, a perfect shopping service!

The list helps me with other parts of the kitchen/food management bit too, helping organize my thoughts as to what needs to be used up, what needs something to go with it in order to make a meal, all sorts of things.

We don't make added runs to the store, if I can't pull something together with what is available here, it just waits til next month. Or, we skip it.......... The list saves time, money and adds to the general organization here.

[nanamom]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I've used a list for years. I found without one I would forget something that we couldn't live without which meant more gas used and time to go back to the store. I make a menu plan after reading the ads and then make up a list. I keep some general in case I see something that is a good deal. I learned never to send DH to the store for something I forgot. He is wonderful but loves to shop and is convinced that we needed.....

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I made a list of what I needed at the grocery store and only spent $38 today. I thought that was pretty good since $5 of that was for garbage bags. I use to buy the small box of bags for about $1.88 and that lasted about 2 weeks. The big box lasts about 2 months.

We use one bag a week (tall trash size) and I feel guilty cause it is never full, but I can't leave garbage around for long.

Though we also take out a large box of paper to recycle (in an old plastic tub, bout the size of a dish tub) and a stack of cardboard and one medium bag of recycling. But I love the low garbage amount. Saves on bags .

[Ima saver]

Re: Does making a list really work?

Gosh, I use about one bag every two days. I am now making of list of all the money I spend everyday. That is an eye opener, especially since we eat out every night. ouch!

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Does making a list really work?

i keep four or more of stuff in my pantry,not spices tho. i also make a master list. it has it all on there and ive been adding to it as i find out new recipes. i never used majorjam before.lol you can make a list on your word or notepad. then print it when you need to shop and check the stuff you need. loss leaders and clearance are the best! loss leaders always in print, clearance isnt. you have to look for that and add a limit on your budget just for that. mines working. 5 dollars now in budget for clearance. i bought lots of pop tarts for 45 cents a box. this week fruit prepared is on sale at walmart, i dont believe its in print. i just got a box of watermelon cuts for 2 and a fruit tray for 3. both normally 8 or more.

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Does making a list really work?

my biggest savings ever was resteraunt cans. you know those little jars you pay 1.99 to 2.29 normally for dip of cheese. well a resteraunt can is under 10 dollars, and its 96 oz. you get 48 of those lil 2 dollar specials in that can. its cooked so its freezable. pour in baggies and lay down as you go to close it til you get to the tip to make it flat, and store in freezer and get out a pack when you want a snack. saved me over 80 dollars. it lasts in the freezer in bags for a year. prolly longer in tupperware too. i split one can with dad, my investment 5 dollars, and have cheese dip for a year.

[khorovetsyelena]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I usually just take a quick look in the fridge to se which perishables we might need. But things like pasta, sugar, flover and others like that I never run out. I usually buy tons of those when I find then on great sale. But when I am running low on something, I try to use it less untill I find a great deal on it. I think, if I would stop buying food except milk, yogurt, fruits and vegetables, and eggs, we could survive for another 2-3 months, and about a year without having to buy toiletries or detergent and cleaners. So if something happens we won't have to dig into our savings.

[khorovetsyelena]

Re: Does making a list really work?

If I would buy only items that I need this week, I would overpay for some of them, cause they might be not on sale that week. So I just get whats on sale and then decide what I will cook. If yogurt is not on sale for a month straight, we are not getting it. If oranges are not on sale, I will get more bananas or apples instead. You get the idea.

[Ima saver]

Re: Does making a list really work?

When I am out of something, I put it on my list and then I buy it whether it is on sale or not. If it is, I buy more of it.

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Does making a list really work?

think of how much more you could save growing your own fave and most used veggies and fruit. i love growing mine, saves loads, i mean, peppers are like 4 a lb right now. im saving that! lol

[Ima saver]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I keep a list of things I need to do and it really helps me. If my husband asks me to get something or do something for him, it goes on my list!

[Firefly]

Re: Does making a list really work?

It really helps us.