How to Create a Grocery Shopping List
Going to the grocery store without a list can cost you big money, as you're likely to buy items you don't need and miss items you do. Sit down before you go shopping and take the time to make a comprehensive grocery shopping list. Separate the items into logical sections to save time during your trip and avoid backtracking through the store. If you plan ahead, you'll save money and time during your weekly shopping trips.
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Instructions
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Look through your local store's sales circular to find its weekly specials. The circular may be in your local weekly paper, and many food chains publish their items on sale online. Find sales on items your family enjoys and use these sales as a basis to decide what to buy.
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Create a dinner menu for the next week. Write down seven different dinners, regardless of the rest of the day's food choices. Choose dishes with ingredients on sale for that week.
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Look through your kitchen to find what ingredients you need for each dish. You may have most of the items on hand, but write down any you don't have.
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Write down all the food items you eat every week, such as cereal, fruit and milk. Look through your cupboards and refrigerator to check rather than relying on your memory.
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Rewrite the list, grouping foods into sections that correspond with aisles in your grocery store. If you've been there many times you already know if the fruit comes after the dairy when walking the store aisles. List each item according to its relative spot in the store, then follow the list from start to finish during your shopping trip without needing to backtrack for items.
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Mark a "C" or a check mark next to every item on the list for which you have a coupon. Pull those coupons out ahead of time and place them at the front of your coupon carrier. Bring the other coupons with you in case you find an unannounced sale.
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Tips & Warnings
Many grocery stores offer online grocery store list apps. If your store offers it, use it to create a customized list for your particular store.
References
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