A while ago I posted about the way I make my grocery list. Feel free to read the whole post here. To sum it up: I create a weekly menu at the top of my list, then the list of ingredients I will need to accomplish the menu, then next to each item I write the price of the item (my best assumption of the price if I don't know the exact amount, rounding up/down as necessary). I have been doing my shopping like this for years and I have to say that 99% of the time I know how much I'm going to spend on my groceries within $10.00. I'm never surprised at check out, which is nice when you want to stick to a budget. Also, due to rounding up/down on the prices, I always have some wiggle room so even if I break down and grab a pack of Oreos that weren't on my list I still don't go over my estimated amount. I recommend giving it a try, what have you got to lose?
To make it easier, I created a free grocery list printable with space for your menu at the top and an organized list of your items with a column for your price estimates. All I ask is that if you use it and enjoy this new method of shopping you share it with your friends!
Grocery List Printable
Do you ever go grocery shopping thinking you've spent a certain amount and then check out and hear the cashier say "your total is blah blah blah" and you think OMG, how did that happen???
A few years ago that was a regular occurrence for me. I found that I was often spending more than I thought I'd spend, impulse buying, forgetting items I needed, etc... It's so frustrating when you go to cook a meal for your hungry family and then realize you're missing something you need!
I started revamping the way I shopped and the way I made a grocery list. Since then, I walk into the store knowing exactly what I'm going to spend and I have to say that 9 times out of 10 I'm right on the money and I rarely forget what I need to get.
