“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.  You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”   Psalms 128:1-2

By: Gretchen Speer

I hate getting home from the store only to realize that I have forgotten to get something-especially if it’s something we are going to need the next day.  This has happened to me enough that I now take my grocery list very seriously.  I am posting my personal list from excel today.  I do all my shopping at two stores, but if you have more than a couple of stores you shop at consider making a list for each store.   My personal list is designed around how I walk through the store’s, I’m all about efficiency!

6 Tips for Grocery List Success:

1) Go through your menu and count how much you need of each item.  I usually start with meat, then produce, and then side items.  (Example: 9lbs ground beef, 2 bags chicken breasts, 2lbs ground turkey, 2 zucchini, 2 squash, 2 red onion…..)

2) Check the Pantry.  Don’t leave something off of the list because you are pretty sure you have it.  Find it and make sure you have enough for the recipe.  I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to grab the bread crumbs, just to find that the container is almost empty.

3) Check your calendar.  Look to see if it’s your kids turn to bring snacks to school, or if you have signed up to bring snacks to bible study.  Were you planning to host a playdate or take a neighbor a special snack?  Spare yourself an extra trip to the store and put those items down on your list now.

4) Double check.  I don’t suggest doing this at the last-minute, because you want to really be able to take a minute and make sure you have considered everything.  Remember the point of this whole process is to save you time and money, but it won’t work unless you really make sure that everything you need is on your list.  This would also be the time to look through your coupons and pick only the ones you need for your list.(well, and maybe that coupon for the dove chocolates, you might need that one..)

5) Stick to the List.  I am tempted all the time to change my menu once I get to the store, but any time I’ve done that I will end up short of something I need.  Also, in the interest of saving money, stick to what you have put on your list.  Remember, you have already carefully considered what you need on this trip.

6) Have a quick list.  For quick trips to the store in-between your big shopping trips you might want to create a must haves list, and keep it in your purse.  This is a list of things that your family uses everyday and running out can send you running to the store.  Even if I’m just going to pick up a prescription, I still grab most of these items while I’m there.  I never waste a trip to the store!  Here is our family’s must haves:

Skim Milk, Apple Juice, whole wheat bread, cottage cheese, eggs,waffles, fresh produce, diapers,  and wipes

I hope all this has been helpful.  The important thing is to do what works for your family.  Whatever that is, a little bit of organization goes a long way!

Gretchen’s Grocery List- PDF

Gretchen’s Grocery List- Excel

Related Articles:  A Little Bit Goes A Long Way and Gretchen’s Menus