Master Grocery List – Works For Me Wednesday – March 18, 2009

So, I’d heard about these super-organized women who used a master grocery list to keep track.  I just kind of fly by the seat of my pants when it comes to groceries.  Then, I forget things.  And buy too many of other things.  Now that I’m on Topamax (aka “dope-a-max”), my potential for messing up the grocery situation is even higher, so I decided to take the plunge and try the master grocery list idea.  And, guess what, it works!

Here’s what I did:  I went through each cabinet and the refrigerator and freezer and listed all the items that we need to keep on a regular basis.  I put the items on pages by location in the kitchen.  Then, I printed the pages and put them in page protectors, and put the page protectors near the food – on the cabinet door or the refrigerator door – with a dry erase pen nearby.  When we notice that we are getting low on something, we mark it on the list.  On grocery day, I go through the kitchen and write down all the items that have been marked, but also use the master list to make sure I don’t miss anything as I scour the kitchen for what we need that week from the grocery store.  So far, it works like a dream – and I get to use my page protectors!!

I also printed out a copy of the list and put it into my notebook where I’m making it into a price list.  I don’t track prices of everything (that requires an actual diagnosis of OCD) but I do track prices of things that I could purchase at different stores or that I get coupons for (to check price with coupon against Sam’s Club, for example).

Check out We Are That Family for more great Works for Me Wednesday ideas.