Most of us find shopping for groceries a daunting experience. We get into the supermarket without a clue of the things we need to buy!! And finally...we end up stocking our fridge and shelves with things we will not use.
As for me, I find my shopping to be less time and cost consuming if I prepare a grocery list prior visiting the supermarket. I normally do my grocery shopping once in a month. There might be some of you who prefer to do your shopping once a week or once a fortnight. Regardless of the frequency....a grocery list is a must if you want to have a smooth shopping experience!!
How do we actually create a personalised grocery list???
Well...there are several ways of creating a grocery list...either you use an online software or generate a template manually and update it as and when you need to go shopping...
Let's discuss about generating a grocery list template manually first...
STEP 1: OBSERVATION
Visit your regular supermarket first. Bring along a piece of paper and a pencil. Walk around the supermarket and sketch out the layout of the aisles, including the items which are displayed in each of the aisles.
STEP 2: DECIDEOnce you're at home..look through the piece of paper which contained the information that you have gathered in Step 1. Now...you have to decide on the sequence of which you will be walking through the aisles in the supermarket. Are you going to start from the aisles which display raw and frozen items? Are you going to begin your shopping in the aisles which displays dry items? Or do you just prefer to start from the end of the supermarket, moving forward to the entrance? Just make sure that the sequence you decide is the most efficient in accordance with your habits of shopping.
You will also need to look at the items stored in each of the aisles, and eliminate those that you know you'll never buy. If you're not sure about an item...just leave that item.
You will also need to look at the items stored in each of the aisles, and eliminate those that you know you'll never buy. If you're not sure about an item...just leave that item.
STEP 3: PREPARE GROCERY LIST
Based on the information you have gathered in the above steps, produce your own master template. You can choose to do this by Word or Excel whichever suits you better.
Using Microsoft Word
Open a new document. Insert as many columns as you need. Type in the items which each aisle displays. Include boxes beside each of these items (you'll fill them up with the quantities you want to purchase). Leave some rows empty after listing items in each aisle to add any miscellaneous items. Save the document in a proper folder and name it as "Master Grocery Template".
Using Microsoft Excel
Open a new spreadsheet. Create as many columns as you need. Type in the items which each aisle displays. Create boxes beside each item to fill the quantities you'll like to purchase. Save the spreadsheet in a proper folder and name it as "Master Grocery Template". Leave some rows empty just in case at the end of the document.
Try to create a template which fits into one single paper. You don't want to carry several sheets of paper when you go shopping!! If you're unable to view the example grocery list attached below...kindly send me a comment or just email me at ramutha@hotmail.com. I will be happy to email the template to you directly.
Grocery List
STEP 4: SHOPPING!!
Print out the grocery list template. Affix it to your refrigerator (use magnets!!) or store it in the kitchen or some place where it's easily accessible to you and everyone at home. Train your family members to mark items which needs replenishment as soon as they go low. In this case, you do not need to spend specific time in finding out which items that need to be purchased, before you visit the supermarket.
You should also review your menu planner a few days before you shop. Ensure that your grocery list contains all the ingredients that you'll need to prepare your menus!! Items that are still in stock or those which you do not need to prepare your menu should be striked off.
And finally, don't forget to mark or colour items which are under promotion or for which you have coupons for!! It's a great way of saving some money on groceries!! You can always opt for select coupon program which notifies you about the available coupons in nearby supermarkets, by clicking on the icon in the sidebar.
If you're a person who's tech savvy or someone who uses the computer on daily basis, you can opt to use one of the various online softwares to generate and create your grocery list. The good thing about using an online software is you don't need to create a manual template...the layout and design has been created for you.
Here are some reliable and popular online softwares which you could try out:
Firefox's Add-On "Grocery List Generator (GLG)
This is a website rather than a software. You will have to register and create a login name as well as a password to access the site. You are given a 30 days trial in the beginning, of which once the trial period ends...you'll need to pay a monthly subscription of $4.95 per month of $39 per year to utilise the website. You will be required to key in all your favourite recipes in accordance with categories (e.g bread, meat etc) including the relevant ingredients, quantities and cooking instructions. Once you have done that, just tick the recipes that you would like to include in your upcoming weekly menu planner. The site will automatically generate a grocery list which lists down all the ingredients that you'll need to purchase as per your chosen recipes. Just print the list or use it to directly to shop online via Amazon.com.
So guys...enjoy shopping!! And don't forget to bring along your grocery list!!
Using Microsoft Word
Open a new document. Insert as many columns as you need. Type in the items which each aisle displays. Include boxes beside each of these items (you'll fill them up with the quantities you want to purchase). Leave some rows empty after listing items in each aisle to add any miscellaneous items. Save the document in a proper folder and name it as "Master Grocery Template".
Using Microsoft Excel
Open a new spreadsheet. Create as many columns as you need. Type in the items which each aisle displays. Create boxes beside each item to fill the quantities you'll like to purchase. Save the spreadsheet in a proper folder and name it as "Master Grocery Template". Leave some rows empty just in case at the end of the document.
Try to create a template which fits into one single paper. You don't want to carry several sheets of paper when you go shopping!! If you're unable to view the example grocery list attached below...kindly send me a comment or just email me at ramutha@hotmail.com. I will be happy to email the template to you directly.
Grocery List
STEP 4: SHOPPING!!
Print out the grocery list template. Affix it to your refrigerator (use magnets!!) or store it in the kitchen or some place where it's easily accessible to you and everyone at home. Train your family members to mark items which needs replenishment as soon as they go low. In this case, you do not need to spend specific time in finding out which items that need to be purchased, before you visit the supermarket.
You should also review your menu planner a few days before you shop. Ensure that your grocery list contains all the ingredients that you'll need to prepare your menus!! Items that are still in stock or those which you do not need to prepare your menu should be striked off.
And finally, don't forget to mark or colour items which are under promotion or for which you have coupons for!! It's a great way of saving some money on groceries!! You can always opt for select coupon program which notifies you about the available coupons in nearby supermarkets, by clicking on the icon in the sidebar.
If you're a person who's tech savvy or someone who uses the computer on daily basis, you can opt to use one of the various online softwares to generate and create your grocery list. The good thing about using an online software is you don't need to create a manual template...the layout and design has been created for you.
Here are some reliable and popular online softwares which you could try out:
Firefox's Add-On "Grocery List Generator (GLG)
You can download this for free from Firefox Add-ons Website. To install it, simply click on the "Add to Firefox" button and then the "Install Now" button. After that, restart Firefox and click on the pink shopping cart icon in the upper right hand corner. You're now ready to start using it. You'll be able to store your recipes (ingredients, quantities, cooking instructions and photos), grocery items according to categories of your supermarket. You can also sort the grocery list to match your supermarket's walking route (Step 2 above) which could save you a lot of time and hassle.
Everytime you need to go shopping, all you have to do is quickly access your database of recipes and choose those that you'll prepare in the coming week. GLG will generate the relevant grocery list as per your chosen recipes. Finally, just print out the list or if you prefer...save it into your mobile device or disk.
BigOvenThis is a Windows-based recipe software which has the similar features as the GLG, but it comes with a money tag and a few extra features. Unlike GLG, this software allows you to generate nutritional analysis of your recipes and provides video tutorials on preparing dishes. You can choose to try or purchase the BigOven software by clicking the link in my sidebars.
Plantoeat.comThis is a website rather than a software. You will have to register and create a login name as well as a password to access the site. You are given a 30 days trial in the beginning, of which once the trial period ends...you'll need to pay a monthly subscription of $4.95 per month of $39 per year to utilise the website. You will be required to key in all your favourite recipes in accordance with categories (e.g bread, meat etc) including the relevant ingredients, quantities and cooking instructions. Once you have done that, just tick the recipes that you would like to include in your upcoming weekly menu planner. The site will automatically generate a grocery list which lists down all the ingredients that you'll need to purchase as per your chosen recipes. Just print the list or use it to directly to shop online via Amazon.com.
So guys...enjoy shopping!! And don't forget to bring along your grocery list!!
Great article... My girlfriend added the Grocery List Generator to Firefox, and its a useful tool. May be giving the Excel suggestion a try too!
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