How to Create a Permanent Shopping List

Everyone is always interested in saving money when shopping. Whether it’s groceries or office supplies, making and using a shopping list helps to keep up with items that need to be purchased and helps to cut down on impulse buying. Creating a permanent shopping list is easy and can be adapted to whatever regular shopping you might have to do.

Things You'll Need

• Computer using Microsoft Word
• Printer

Instructions

How to Create a Permanent Shopping List

1. Open Microsoft Word and open a new document. Create a table by clicking on the “Insert Table” icon on the toolbar. A small table will appear that is 4 sections wide and 5 sections deep. As you scroll over it, the sections will change to blue. Scroll over 4 sections wide and 2 sections deep. Click on this table; the menu will disappear and a narrow table will appear on the page.

2. Move the cursor to the small white box on the bottom right-hand corner of the table. Right-click and hold to drag the cursor down; this enlarges the table. Continue to drag until the table fits one page.

3. Place the cursor in the upper left-hand section of the table. Center the cursor by either pressing Ctrl and “E” or by clicking the Center icon on the toolbar. Press the Bold symbol and type in the first category for the shopping list such as, “Produce,” “Meat,” Canned/Dry,” Frozen/Dairy,” “Paper/Cleaning,” “Health/Beauty” or “Miscellaneous.” Title each section of the shopping list, using the same method.

4. Create a folder for Shopping Lists and save the original document. If you do regular shopping for things besides groceries--such as supplies for the office or for large events--individualized permanent shopping lists can be created by changing the section titles to reflect new categories.

5. Print up a copy of the shopping list and place it where it is easily accessible, such as on the refrigerator or bulletin board. As you run out of things--or think of new things--write it on the shopping list. When you get ready to go shopping, check out sale ads and write a $ sign next to items that are on sale and abbreviate the store that has the sale. Place a C next to items for which you have a coupon.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the previous shopping list and use it as a reference when making out a new list.

• Include several copies of a shopping list-along with a handful of coupons-in a bride’s kitchen gift.