How to Make a Reusable Shopping List
For most us making out our shopping list may be based on what meals we are planning on preparing for a specified time period. When you are doing the shopping for a family you may find yourself getting home from the store and finding you were out of a staple item like toilet paper or toothpaste or that important dog treats. A way to avoid missing those items you need on a regular basis I will show you how to make a staple grocery list that will not only help get your family engaged in helping prepare your shopping list, it may also help entertain your kids while at the store or provide you with a easy to access method of making notes for yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Computer and printer (preferred)
- Sheet protector (The slick surface type works best)
- Self Laminating sheet (Preferred)
- Dry or wet erase market or washable crayon
Instructions
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You can either download the staples list I have attached at the bottom of this article or create your own. It is best to arrange your list according to store isles or departments. Next consider if you prefer fresh, canned or frozen when adding an item to your sections.
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Once you have created a list of staple items for your home print it off, it will be time to slide the list into a sheet protector. Do not laminate your list just yet, you will find the first couple of trips to the store you will find items you forgot to add to the list.(See attached downloadable shopping list)
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Now that you have the list compiled and in the sheet protector, hang it somewhere in the kitchen were most of your family member can reach it and it will be a noticeable so no one forgets to circle an item. Be sure to attach a dry or wet erase marker or washable crayon to the list. In our home we have a wet erase market that attaches to the magnetic cloths pen that holds the list on the refrigerator. Ok, now it is time to put the list to work, make sure everyone in the house is aware of the list and ask them to circle any items they run out or are able to run out of, these will be your staples. If they do not find the item on the list, have them write it in somewhere on the list so you can add it during your next edit.
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Now that you are preparing your menus or shopping list, you can add any menu items to the master staples list. Once you have used the list for approximately a month or longer you will have developed your final edit and it is time to laminate your list. If you have small children and your list exceeds one page, I recommend laminating each page separately. This way your child can draw on the back of one of the sheets with washable crayons while you are shopping. When you have all the items off one page you can switch lists and let the draw on the back of the other list. This also applies if you find yourself making notes while shopping or if you want to add your menus for the specific period to the back of your list. If none these apply you may want to laminate your list so you can flip it over for the second page.
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These lists can be very helpful and may help you stay on track, decrease your shopping time and save you a trip back to the store when you have forgotten that all important item.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind if you are juggling several things while carrying your list, a dry erase marker may disappear quickly.
Rainy days and wet erase markers can create tears if your list gets wet and near your clothes.
Washable crayons are the safest bet
Always add space within your shopping list for notes and special items.
Resources
- Photo Credit MS Office Clip Art
