A little trick I have to make sure that I am not forgetting to put anything on my shopping list is a Master Grocery List. I have been a user of a Master Grocery list for years now, long before I was meal planning.
Here is an example of a Master Grocery List.
My Master Grocery List
I created my own list of things that I generally like to have on hand. Then I printed it out and put it in a clear plastic page protector. I keep the list in the kitchen where I can easily find it. Then whenever I run out of something I use a dry erase marker to check it as something to buy. Then before I go to the grocery store I add the items marked on the master grocery list to my items that I need for my planned dinners. Then I take one look at all the items listed to see if there is anything else that I might need and add that to my list too.
Now if you are a user of The Grocery Game you might find there is very little that you need to have checked on your master grocery list. I find it helpful in reminding me to look for items that might show up in black in the list of groceries to buy, as I generally like to stick to the rock bottom prices. Just because you have it marked on your list doesn't mean you have to buy it right away.
Let me know what you think of this tip.
Don't forget our planned meal for tonight:
Spaghetti Sauce
French Bread
And don't forget to pull your chicken out of the freezer for tomorrow's Chicken Fajitas.
Updated to include a link to CarriesCooking's Master Grocery List.
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7 comments:
This is just the blog I need since I am cooking challenged. I'm starting with that cool grocery list. Thanks. ;-)
Carrie,
Do you have a copy of your list? Although I liked the link...I would like to compare and see what yours has, in case I like it better...if not, no big deal.
But, I have been wanting to do this for YEARS. It would be great to use a premade one. :-)
Thanks!
Mrs. Jones,
I am glad that this blog will be of help to you. Check out the updated Grocery list that I have included. It is actually the one that I use.
Carrie,
I am glad that the Master Grocery List will be of help for you. I have updated the Master Grocery Link to my Master List.
Hi Carrie,
I just found your blog and am enjoying it already. I am a huge coupon shopper using couponmom.com (like the grocerygame -only free). So I have an overflowing pantry but yet don't know what we are eating for dinner tonight. My next step is menu planning!! How do you organize your recipes - in a binder for family favorite and then add new ones as you try them and like them? Also do you have like 4 weeks of menus and rotate them each month? I read through all your menu 101's and got some great tips. Thanks!!
Hi Carrie,
When my hubby and I moved up here to Maine from Boston one of the first things I did was to go to the two main stores that I'd be using and walk the aisles with a notepad and write down what I used from each aisle. Then I made a master list for each store. Now if I know I'm going to be shopping at Hannaford over the weekend I use the list I made for that store. My list goes from the first aisle to the last so that I'm not chasing my tail all over the store trying to find stuff. Instead I have a list of Headings like Pastry (first thing you pass in the store, then Deli, then Veggies/Fruit then Aisle 1:Condiments, 2:Baking Supplies etc. Back of store:Meat, deli dept. Under each heading is the stuff listed that I actually buy from that particular dept or aisle.
Innitially this takes a little time but once it's done it's a great time saver.
Jean,
It is a great idea to make a list based on the way the grocery store is set up. It is well worth the effort to put together a standard list. And, if you are putting together a list you might as well take the extra step of making it to fit your store!
Thanks for the wonderful suggestion!
Carrie
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