Are you one of those listless shoppers who wander up and down the grocery aisles picking boxes and cans of whatever strikes your fancy? This may be a relaxed way to shop, but I'm afraid frustration will come when you get home and realize you've forgotten three basic ingredients for dinner that evening!
Author Sandra Felton give two tips for organizing your shopping list. "First," she says, "Type up a master shopping list." This is especially easy with your computer. Include the groceries and personal items you buy weekly, such as milk, bread, eggs, soap, etc. If you usually shop at one store, list the items in the same order as the route you follow in the store. This will help you avoid missing things and having to backtrack. If you use specific brands and sizes, list these to make it easier for other family members to do the shopping. Type up your list in categories and leave blank spaces in each section for write-in item, i.e. seasonal products, occasional purchases, entertainment items, and so on.
Now, make a few copies of your master list and post it in the kitchen. Every time you or a family member use up and item, write it on the list. Your children will learn that when they scrape the last of the peanut butter out of the jar, they need to add it to the list. Your husband will add light bulbs or certain cleaning supplies when he uses them up. Your family may also list their favorite foods. You'll want to reward them for keeping up the list, so be sure to treat them to these goodies often!
One more shopping tip: are you a coupon clipper? Try this novel idea: File your coupons alphabetically, rather than by subject. That way when you're looking for that shampoo coupon, you don't have to remember if you filed it under Soaps or Beauty Aids. Just look under "S". This will save time and guess work when you're ready to go shopping.
Make one of your New Year's resolutions to organize your shopping list!
I'm a stay at home mom. I recently have created GroceryOrganizer.com to help people organize their groceries when going shopping. I think it could be helpful to the visitors of your blog. Sincerely, Faedra
Judy Warmington, Woman Time Management (owner) -- Busy wife, mother of three adult/married children, grandmother of 10 (5 boys and 5 girls!), former high school teacher (M.A. from W.M.U.), Speaker, Author, Radio Personality, and Trainer of Professional Organizers.
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