Does making a list really work?

[joesbaby]

Re: Does making a list really work?

it does for me..i keep track of how much my coupons are..and keep track of what we have lots of...on a sperate list, and what we need..so i have 2 lists in reality.

[starving_student]

Re: Does making a list really work?

Does making a grocery list really work in cutting down your food bills? I must admit, even the thought of doing it doesn't sound appealing, but I'll give it a try if it really works. What is the best way to make the list? How much time do you spend making it?

I usually make a list for some basic items and will browse the aisle for the items on sale. I usually go to 3-4 grocery stores. Making a list do work but you have to stick to it and might miss some good deal.

[Tree0164]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I usually make a list for some basic items and will browse the aisle for the items on sale. I usually go to 3-4 grocery stores. Making a list do work but you have to stick to it and might miss some good deal.

That is where using the sales papers and making the list together really helps. And use a pricebook!

[razzxxx]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I just started making a list and it does work and i grow my own herbs so i save on that

[itsmejan]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I used to make list and then began to neglect to make one. My grocery cost went through the roof and we never had what we needed to prepare good meals. I am back to the list again ,and boy is it helpig.
About the garbage bags.. I buy the ones at SAM'S Club ina box . Thereare 320 ..33gl light duty commercial bags. The cost was about $14.00 but they last me almost 16 months. They are also much stronger han anything else I could get for even half the price..One of the very few items I buy at Sam's Club.........Jan in NC

Re: Does making a list really work?

I make lists for almost everything...otherwise I may forget! LOL

[Ima saver]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I do too, if it something I need to do, I write it down. I always keep a grocery list. I also write down every time I charge something, so there are no surprises.

[Dmeriksen]

Re: Does making a list really work?

if we properly organize our daily life, we can save lot of our resources.

[crazyliblady]

Re: Does making a list really work?

I would not survive without my shopping list. I created one in Excel, with sections for each category, like frozen foods, produce, canned goods, etc. I also have columns for quantity, a column that says "what is it for?", and price. The "what is it for?" column gives me the ability to remember that if I decide not to make stew, for example, I don't need to buy broth. This shopping list gave me the ability last week, when I knew I could not spend very much for groceries, to buy $90 worth of groceries for $63. I looked over the grocery ads and made my list ahead of time and figured out how many of each thing I needed to make the recipes I wanted to make. I do not buy convenience foods (canned soup, frozen dinners, etc.) as these are the most expensive things in the store. The answer is, for me anyway, a list helps tremendously. Also, take along a calculator so you can figure out your total purchase before you buy and also figure out which among several things is the best deal.

[Mabuisakura]

Re: Does making a list really work?

Yes it does work. During the week I keep a list going of things we need and are running out of by my hubbys next paycheck (two weeks later) we go get whats on the list. Plus it saves gasbuy taking one trip

[Mathew Green]

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.

Authors push "sticking to your shopping list" because so many people make expensive impulse purchases or overbuy whatever looks good. But as you've discovered, sticking too rigidly to a list keeps you from taking advantage of sale prices. It also takes some of the spontineity out of your diet by discouraging the purchase of unfamiliar foods that happen to be on sale or in season and look good to you.

Instead of a rigid shopping list, I prefer this system:

1) "Price Book" so I know if the current price is high or low and which store usually has the best price on a given item.

2) "On-Hand List" of what I already have. Looks like a shopping list, but tells me what I don't need to buy because I've got a surplus.

3) "Shopping List" of items I want to be sure I buy. These may be staples I've let get too low, or items I don't keep on hand but need for a recipe I'm going to make, or items I know are on sale this week.

The shopping list also includes items I'm getting low on but don't need right away (mostly soap, toliet paper, and other non-perishables that I stock up on bigtime when they're on sale). I put a "?" next to those items to remind me to keep an eye on prices and buy them when I find a bargain.

[kateochang]

Making a list certainly helps! I can easily track where my spending goes to and from there I can know the total amount I have spent. However, there are times I forget to list down the particular item and when I go out to shop, I immediately buy the item on aisle.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

List shopping is the easiest way to save money. Way more than couponing, because there are no impulse purchases. If you make your list based on weekly sales, even better. Keep a price book. Also use coupons if applicable.

[snafu]

I really don't understand how people can go shopping without a list. Anytime I stop in for milk and fruit I end up with a $50. slipping out of my pocket!
Since the 1st of the year I have done my best to only shop the perimeter of the store where they keep the "real" food. Except for cake mix I am not buying anything in a box. My food bill has dropped 50% much to my surprise. I buy fz veggies when the price is lower than the fresh.

Starting with the Sunday ads, if you create a basic menu plan flexible enough to change for unadvertised specials and house brand and include stuff in your pantry/freezer. I write savings on the calendar and try to get that sum into an Ing a/c.

[momof1in150]

Meal Planning and a good list is the best way to save on groceries. I shop primarily at one store so my list is on the computer. I developed a list in Word using 3 columns. I have listed most items that we purchase by aisle with 4-5 additional lines per aisle to write other items in. I highlight what I need to buy and cross off what I don't. I fold it in thirds and put coupons in the middle.

I keep this list on my computer and print 4-5 each month. The other money saver is to shop without children so for now I shop every Saturday.