Do you make a grocery list?
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11643)
United States
May 14, 2012 8:06pm CST
Or do you remember everything you need and always get it? If I don't make a list (and take it with me to the store) I will not only forget at least 1 thing I need, but I will usually get something I don't even need.
Take tonight, for instance. Last night I really wanted lasagne, but I didn't have most of the ingredients. I figured I'd remember everything I needed, so I didn't make a list. During the day, I decided I wanted to use up the avocados I had and make some guacamole. Of course, I knew I didn't have everything else for it, so I added it to my "mental" list. All the while, I'm thinking I'll remember it. It's only 2 things really - lasagne ingredients and avocado ingredients.
So, at the grocery store, I first get the red onion, then the cilantro, then the tortilla chips. Then I run to the dairy section and get cottage cheese (I don't like ricotta in my lasagne) and motzerella cheese. Then I remembered a few other things I needed that didn't have anything to do with food, but I had totally forgotten about them until I got to the store.
At the checkout, I realize I should have gotten a sympathy card for my friends mother-in-laws passing this morning, but figure I'll get it tomorrow. When I get home, I realize the one thing I totally forgot was the lasagne noodles! So, we had pot pies and I'll head back to the store tomorrow after work. Hopefully I don't have to write a list for lasagne noodles and a card!
Do you make a list or do you go by memory?
4 people like this
17 responses
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
15 May 12
I and my wife usually do this list before going to the grocery. This will not only make you buy the things you needed but it will also save time. I remeber one time we are in a hurry because it will be starting to rain soon (we are riding a motorcycle that time). We had our list and we finshed our grocery in a span of 15-20 minutes. We bought everything we need as well as some stuffs that are not in the list.
Same when we are going to market, we have the already the list. This will help you save time and money because you will just go directly to the place were you are going to get those in the list.
Before doing the list, we are going to make the weekly menu as well as checking the stocks at home.
@jupijupi77 (257)
• Malaysia
15 May 12
Yes my friend...so do I always do a list to save my money and time also.you're right when we have a list we can just go directly to the place then get those thing in the list..I'm afraid I will pick up thing that i don't need if I'm not do a list.
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
17 May 12
Hi reinydawn, I would make a grocery list only if there is a long list of items to be purchased 
This usually would happen once in a while only like before the preparation to welcome our Chinese New Year. Yeah, before the festival I would be really busy as well and certainly it would be nice as well to get everything purchased while doing the marketing to save time. And it would be really inconvenient as well as annoying to head back to get those couldn't be left out 
The rest of the marketing time I don't make any grocery list for there isn't many items to buy usually. I visit the hypermarket quite often. I like hanging around after having meal and enjoy the air con there for half and hour or so. I always like to get special offer stuffs which are really worth to buy during the strolling lol...
Happy posting 
This usually would happen once in a while only like before the preparation to welcome our Chinese New Year. Yeah, before the festival I would be really busy as well and certainly it would be nice as well to get everything purchased while doing the marketing to save time. And it would be really inconvenient as well as annoying to head back to get those couldn't be left out
The rest of the marketing time I don't make any grocery list for there isn't many items to buy usually. I visit the hypermarket quite often. I like hanging around after having meal and enjoy the air con there for half and hour or so. I always like to get special offer stuffs which are really worth to buy during the strolling lol...
Happy posting 
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
15 May 12
i absolutely always make a grocery list! we take my inlaws shopping every week so i plan out the meals for that week and scour the papers for deals on food that would be appetizing for the family. if i forget something from the list, we live without it til the next week.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
15 May 12
I do make a list but sometimes I leave it at home! So I learned to start the list and put it in my purse, taking it out to add items and replacing it every time. One time I went to the library and forgot the books I was supposed to return, which I left on the counter which is RIGHT NEXT TO THE DOOR!!!! 
@chodges17 (65)
• United States
16 May 12
I usually make a list because my boyfriend is unable to have certain things, and I wouldn't want to slip up and buy the wrong kind of pancake mix and send him into a coma or something. Plus, I don't just buy groceries when I go to the store, so it is much easier to remember everything else I need as well. Of course, that said the grocery list never helps me save money, usually find something else I didn't intend on buying.
@GardenGerty (157865)
• United States
15 May 12
Well, I read your post, got in the car, and got what I went for, and then some. Also they were out of some things I needed. Usually I forget at least one IMPORTANT ITEM, but I think I got it all tonight. Really I usually make a list, and lose it.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
15 May 12
I would not remember anything without a list, even if it were just one item. This is because when we get to the store there are so many distractions. Not only do I list the things we need to buy, but also actions that need to be taken, such as remove laundry from dryer, mail letter, send my cousin a birthday card, pay the water bill, or whatever.
@adforme (2114)
•
15 May 12
A grocery list is so crucial to grocery shopping. It allows you to focus on what you intend to buy, by helping you remember the items, and if these are items you buy regularly you can keep the list for future reference. This is good for me because I grocery shop to replace what I do not have enough of. Of course, sometimes I add things to my list or take some things away. If I am going off my list, it is usually to try something new. I know how it is to make lasagne. It is a very expensive meal to shop for, and you need to make sure to get everything you need for proper preparation. You want to save money and time. Grocery shopping in bulk is another story; but I have a special list for that too. Like the saying goes, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." But, a list is required for all the ways I shop for groceries. Please understand, I do not advocate the mistreatment of animals. That saying is quite old, and I just thought you might be able to relate.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
15 May 12
It is my wife who does much of the grocery. I do on some occasions buy some items but usually they are just small stuffs and there is no need to make a list as they are easy to recall. My wife being the main shopper, usually brings a list as she goes to the grocery store. Relying on memory for such many items would often result to some items being forgotten.
@cloud31 (5809)
•
15 May 12
I always make sure to have a grocery list before going out to the supermarket.It less the risk of being forgetful And avoid wasting time to think what I have to buy. So when I get to the supermarket I know where to find the items and that would less my time.
And avoid wasting time to think what I have to buy. So when I get to the supermarket I know where to find the items and that would less my time. @jupijupi77 (257)
• Malaysia
15 May 12
Always do a list make me more discipline.When I go to store and no list,my hand automatically want to pick up something that I don't need for.I don't know why but it always happen to me.If I have a list, I just go to the place directly to get all those thing.:)
@stef_918_chris (55)
• Philippines
15 May 12
Before i do my groceries, i make it a point to scan the kitchen to check what stuff have run out which i need to buy and then i do a mental list. Its not always perfect. At times i add an item or two to my cart which wasn't in my mental list and on other times, i forget especially when i get distracted. So ordinarily, I don't make a list but when i'm buying for an occasion, I don't hesitate to get a pen and paper.
@xigh24 (14)
•
15 May 12
i really need to make a grocery list because if not, i would just end up buying things that are important or needed in my house. It would cut out on my budget and it would make me go crazy looking and thinking for things that i need to purchase. i could never imagine me going to the grocery without a list.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
15 May 12
I have to make a list or else I end up forgetting something. It used to drive Randy crazy when I would bring my notebook and pen with me when we would go grocery shopping, but after almost 5 years of marriage he is now used to it. I have so much going on in my life that without my list I would forget. I am sorry that you had forgotten everything.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
15 May 12
I have a list on my phone, so I could take it with me to the store and I try as much to keep up with it. I still often pick things up that are not part of it. I even have a list on my laptop on excel for budgeting.
We do a weekly grocery shopping and I need to make sure I have everything I need for the period so I won't have to rush to a nearby convenience store when I run out of stocks. Prices are higher at convenience stores than those in supermarkets.
@jolly_tin (48)
•
15 May 12
In our family, I usually do the budgeting. I make it a point that I pay all the necessary bills (electricity and water). I set aside money for our food. I make the grocery list first before going to the supermarket. I looked around in our kitchen and take down all the things I need to buy. I also had that experienced reinydawn when I forgot to make a list and just went to the supermarket. Sad to say I didn't bought what I was supposed to buy. Making a grocery list will also hinder you from buying unnecessary things.
