Do you use a Master Grocery List?

**Luckybustert** · 05-17-2010, 05:33 PM

How is it organized, and how does it help you save money at the grocery store? Have you found any drawbacks to using a master list?

**Lady_V** · 05-17-2010, 05:48 PM

I don't use a master list... what I do do is, write my menu on a google calendar, with the recipe in a note.

I then make a handwritten grocery list of what ingredients I will need on my dry-erase board and carry that in with me.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-17-2010, 06:14 PM

Not really. I keep a huge stockpile. I do monitor by category. It goes along w/ my coupon file categories.

**ladykemma2** · 05-17-2010, 07:02 PM

i do.

i buy the same stuff all the time, so i have it organized by aisle in walmart.

**mndtrp** · 05-17-2010, 07:30 PM

When we run out of something, we put it on the list. Well, I put it on the list, she usually doesn't. As we come across new recipes we want to try, and we have to have new ingredients, we'll add those to the list as well. I don't organize the list at all, since I can remember what the items are fairly well as I go through the store.

**Grainlady** · 05-17-2010, 08:31 PM

I have never used a "master list", but I do keep an on-going list in my Price Book. Things on the list don't automatically get purchased just because it has appeared on the list. The item/s may have to wait until I find them at the lowest possible price. If hubby adds something to the list and underlines it, then I know it's a must-purchase.

Because I have such a large stockpile of food I need to regularly rotate, I "shop at home" for meals. About 20% of my purchases are associated with fresh food or a special item. The other 80% is spent on stock-up items based on sales, coupons, rebates, etc...

**Darlene** · 05-18-2010, 08:44 AM

I used to when the kids were home, we made our own & it was great for nudging me to take inventory before I went shopping. Now that it's just dh and I we are pretty good about adding things to the list on the fridge when something is getting low. I usually have one of everything (non perishable) as back up in my stockpile so it's no emergency if we forget to write something down. I'll be so glad when the new grocery store opens 5 min away (current shopping is 25 min away) and I won't have to stockpile as much.

**Ceashels** · 05-18-2010, 09:02 AM

I used to keep a master list of the perishables that I needed almost weekly and just circled the item if I needed to buy it that week. But now that my grocery shopping is more streamline.. I just write what I need under the store I need it from.

**Nada.Leona** · 05-18-2010, 09:21 AM

We do. It's in a program on our iPhones and it's in alphabetical order. It's nice to have the convenience.

**beks37** · 05-18-2010, 09:56 AM

I don't use a master list...but it would make sense because I buy the same stuff all the time! And to have it by aisle at Walmart....that would make shopping so much easier!! I will have to try this...

**mndtrp** · 05-18-2010, 12:39 PM

Maybe I don't know what a Master List is. Can someone fill me in, please?

**beks37** · 05-18-2010, 01:17 PM

I envision a master list to be a list of everything you use in your kitchen....milk, eggs, bread, hamburger, chicken, tomato sauce, etc. You have a pre-printed list, then next to each item needed put an "X" and a quantity needed. I also envision incorporating the price paid next to the item so it is easy to compare for sales shopping.

This could also go for cleaners, toiletries, paper products, etc.

I'm sure others would envision a master list differently depending on their individual needs.

**Grainlady** · 05-19-2010, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by mndtrp

Maybe I don't know what a Master List is. Can someone fill me in, please?

Here's a printable master grocery list:
Printable Master Grocery List

Here's one by categories:
http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uplo...ocery-list.pdf

Yet one more:
http://www.heart4home.net/downloads/...ocery_list.pdf

**happymomof4** · 05-19-2010, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by mndtrp

When we run out of something, we put it on the list. Well, I put it on the list, she usually doesn't. As we come across new recipes we want to try, and we have to have new ingredients, we'll add those to the list as well. I don't organize the list at all, since I can remember what the items are fairly well as I go through the store.

This is what I do. I add things to my list as we run out or are getting low. I have taught the people in our house to let me know when they open the last bottle of ketcup for example. Then we put it on the list so we don't run out. I write out my menu's for 2 weeks. I add stuff to my list for the menu's if I need stuff. I try and base my menu's with alot of stuff that I have on hand to use it up.