Wal Mart checklist?

[ESMonitor]

Ok, once a month I make a Wal Mart run. I usually go in the early morning before it gets crazy in there.

I've heard of grocery lists, but does anybody make a Wal Mart check list? Basically take a physical inventory of items in kitchen, bathroom, laundy room, etc and figure out what is needed for the month.

That's a HEAVY swipe of my credit card every month I go to Wal Mart. Although it seems like I need all the items bought, I wonder if I can lighten the swipe by updating a checklist before I go in there? I guess I will give it a try this month.

[annibe11e]

I do! Well, I don't shop at Wal-mart, but I do have a list of all consumable household items including bathroom stuff, kitchen non-edibles, sunscreen, make-up, lightbulbs, cat food and litter, oil for the car, all that stuff. I just do an inventory before I go shopping and pair it up with any coupons I might have. If I don't need something yet, but I have a good coupon that will expire before the next monthly trip, I go ahead and buy it.

There are a few things I do without from this list. For instance, I don't buy paper towels. I use rags and wash them in the sink once a week. I don't buy Febreze anymore. It was so expensive, so I make my own now. I think if you had a list (and average prices) in front of you, you could probably spot some things that you don't really need to spend the money on.

I live in a relatively small town, so I can hit a few different stores without going out of my way. There are a few items I buy at the dollar store. The rest is usually at Target. I have a Target debit card, which gives me an automatic 5% off everything, plus they have a lot of coupons.

[Jillycd]

I treat a trip to Walmart or Target just like the grocery store and go in with a list. I also match up my coupons to my list to maximize my savings. I try to limit myself to once a month to stock up. I will make a trip if I have a stack of great coupons that are going to expire for things I will use. (Buy one get one free shampoo for example)

I have the target red card to save 5% but I still think Walmart is cheaper and do most of my household shopping there. ( however not my grocery shopping!)

[GrimJack]

I know the theory is to make a list and only buy stuff on the list; recently I heard that this can cause you to miss some savings such as when something you use all the time is not on the list but is on sale. I know that sometimes I wander the isles looking for something to buy but try to stay on the outer perimeter of the store where the freshest items are and only occasionally enter the 'inner sanctum' when I need something specific.