How to make an organized grocery list

I have been wanting to write this post for a while now, to go along with my coupon post! I always make my grocery lists on Sunday afternoon and then shop with my buddy, Tyler on Sunday evenings. So, I thought I would just document how I make my list in the hopes that it might help others become more organized!

Like I said with previous posts, this is in no way the only way to make a grocery list. You have to find a way that works best for you, how you operate, how much you have time for, and how you think and learn! This method has worked great for me for the past few years.

Disclaimer: Saving money through organization and couponing is NOT a quick task. This takes a few hours every week. But, for me and my family it certainly is worth it!

1. Begin with a list that is divided into sections according to the store you are going to. My sections include:

Fresh

Center Aisles

Dairy

Meats

Frozen

Misc.

I like everything to line up and because I am a nerd, I use graph paper. It is not necessary, but it sure makes it neater :)

2. Refer to my other post on COUPONING to see how I print out the lists from couponmom.com

Once you have your lists of deals printed for the particular stores, go through your coupon book and pull out the coupons that correspond with those deals. (I put mine in an envelope that will go with me to the store).

Once those items are written down, make a notation on your list that means that you have a coupon for that item. I use a red pen and put a star next to the item. Then, when you are in the store, I can go to my envelope and pull out that coupon when I get that item.

Additionally, if the item is on sale, mark the price next to the item so you can double check it in the store. Several times, I have caught errors in marking in the store and have saved money because of it!

3. Go to the ecoupon sites (that I previously listed in my other post) and load any ecoupons onto your card. As previously mentioned, ecoupons are SO GREAT because you can use a paper coupon, coupled with an ecoupon for the same item, saving double the money! Then use another notation on your list for "ecoupon" so you know.

Example: I had a coupon for Chex mix bars and Betty Crocker snacks, alone with an ecoupon today. Both items were also on sale! So, on my list next to each item, I wrote a red star and a black "e" so I remembered while in the store!

4. For an awesome way to make an organized coupon book see my PREVIOUS POST.

Now go through your coupon book and pull out any more coupons for other items. You can easily see expiration dates, so if a coupon is about to expire, I will usually take that one. Once you pull out any more coupons to items your might need, mark them on your list, label them with a red star, and put the coupons in your envelope.

5. I have a dry erase board on my frig. All week long as we run out of or low on items, I mark them on the board. Now write down all the items you have been keeping track of that you need onto your master list.

6. One more step! You need to plan your meals for the week so you have enough in your cabinet! I plan on doing a meal planning post later, but for now will just touch on it briefly!

Some people plan breakfast, lunch and dinner. I just plan dinners. Since I love to cook, I do a few new recipes every week.

BUT, before you open the cookbook, do a once-over of your kitchen, freezer and pantry. Look for items that you already have on hand to make a dinner. Note what meats you have, what pastas, soups etc. THEN, go to your cookbooks and plan some meals.

Once I have chosen 5 meals (I allow 2 nights per week for leftovers and fending), write them down (I have a separate notebook for my meal plan, but some people have a dry erase board or some other method to keep track). Go through each recipe and add any additional items to your list.

7. Your grocery list should now be complete!!!! It could look something like this:

When I go to the store, I bring:

A pen

My list

My envelope full of coupons

An empty envelope

As you are going through the grocery aisles, mark off when you have found an item on your list. When I have found that item, I take the coupon and put it in the empty envelope. The reason for this is, if you bring along 3 coupons for competing items because you are hoping to get the best deal, you will likely only use one of them. Do not spend time at the check out counter sorting through your coupons. This is annoying to the people behind you, to the check out person and is nerve wracking! Instead, you will have everything already sorted so you can hand the cashier your pile of coupons along with your store card!

**Note of caution. When you first begin becoming more organized with coupons and lists, it will take some TIME.....I mean it might even take hours. My trips to the grocery store even now take about an hour and a half on average and I am used to doing this!

BUT, it is so worth the time to save so much money off your bill. Tonight alone I saved $45! That felt really great....and that is happening every single week!

Good luck! You can do it!