Grocery Shopping – Getting Organised and Making Lists
Over the years one of my most common requests on the blog is for tips on better managing the Grocery Shopping. How to save money, How to save time and how to save your sanity. There are so many ways to do this but this is the system we have developed.
STEP 1. CREATE A SHOPPING LIST TEMPLATE
Feel like you write the same list out every week? Make a template! This is our weekly meal plan and shopping list template. On the left we plan our meals for the week. In the small boxes next to the meal plan we create a mini list of the items needed for that meal. On the right hand side is our own personalised “Staples” list. This list is written in order of the aisles at Aldi. This allows me to go down each aisle in order on my list. I made this template using “Word” It doesn’t matter how complex or simple your template is just make one NOW!
2. FREEZER CHECK
I now make alist of any foods we have left in the freezer. I am always surprised at how many foods didnt make it into the previous weeks meals. I make sure to incorporate these freezer items in to this weeks meals.
3. CHECK THE CALENDAR
Checking our family calendar our diary allows me to not only decide how many meals we will need to prepare, but which nights will need to be something quick and easy. I add those special events into the meal plan.
4. SEARCH THE SPECIALS
We are lucky enough to have both an Aldi and Woolworths at our local shops. I have a flick through the weekly online catalogue to see if there is anything that is on special. Th I dont just look for items to add to our meals but snack foods or stokpile items I could stock up on whilst on special. This week I found Nappies and Chips both on a great special so added them to the “Other Shopping” box at the bottom of my template!
5. PLAN THE MEALS.
With all this knowledge I can now plan 6-7 meals for our family making the most of what we already have and what is on special.
6. STOCK THE STAPLES
Using a highlighter I now go through the pantry highlighting anything that requires stocking up on. Than as I purchase each item I simply tick it off the list!
BONUS TIPS!
Be flexible! Whilst I was shopping I found a great special on Fresh Quiches! So instead of buying Beef for Fajitas (a more expensive item) I swapped it out for Quiche that was on special! Another saving!
Take Cash! we use a cash envelope system. This means I only have $150 cash on me. This forces me to not add any extra items to the trolley. If I see something extra (like those great extra items at Aldi) that I think I need, I take a pic with my phone, go home think about it and if I still want it the next day I go back.
It may seem like a lot of preparation for a grocery shop but after a few weeks you will find this literally takes you 10 minutes! It now takes me literally 20-30minutes to do the grocery shopping and we spend under $150 a week for a family of four.
It also helps to have some musical accompaniment whilst you are making all your lists. Keeping it real folks!
If you think this template would come in handy as a downloadable printable, let me know!