Jan. 12, 2007 - Feeding the Family - Shopping List & Shopping
Here is my grocery list. I love my grocery list! I have tweeked it over the years to maximize my efforts to save $$. This is what works for me.
There's a lot here but take the time to read it. All these little things I set in motion for feeding my family has brought my grocery bill down. Plus, I rarely find myself saying "I don't know what to do for dinner" or "I don't have anything for dinner". And, at any given moment I can tell my hub how much I've spent on groceries.
Most important!!!: Pray before walking into the market. I ask God to help me be wise in my puchases. To not give in to temptation to purchase the yummy things I see that I don't need.
I keep my list posted on the refrig to make it easy to add things as I think of needs. My hub can easily add things, too. 
And, my weekly menu plan is under the grocery list for quick reference. (That's the family calendar to the left of it - which is looking nicely empty for a change!)
On Mondays I do my menu plan and grocery list. On Tuesdays I do my shopping (at either 10:00 or 1:00). If I don't have a set day & time to do my shopping I will most certainly procrastinate! I also know myself well enough to know that I just can't do both tasks in one day, which is why I do my planning the day before.
Let me tell you about my grocery list because I believe it has saved me both time and money.
1) I have my list set up in the order I go through the store.
2) I start by looking through the sales ads and add to my shopping list anything I use/need. Notice that I put an 'O' next to those items that are on sale. 2 reasons: I can see at a glance how much I am buying that is not on sale. My goal is to pay for nothing at full price. Also, it makes it easy for me to double check the sale price again while at the store, making certain the sale priced item is indeed the best value.
3) I put an 'X' next to items I will be using a coupon. This helps me remember to double check the coupon while at the store for requirements such as quantity, size, type, etc. I can also double check one more time if this is the best value. Just because there is a coupon doesn't mean it's the best value!
*** Notice the laundry detergent on my list? It has both X and O. Lots of hugs and kisses on that one!! 
4) I do most of my shopping at Kroger because I have a Kroger credit card. I use it for grocery shopping only. This helps me easily keep track of how much I am spending. I never pay interest on it because I pay it off with each paycheck (2x/month). And the biggest bonus of all is that the card earns me $$$. Last year I received back $300 in Kroger certificates. 
They also send me some awesome coupons.
At the bottom of my shopping list, I have listed some of the other local stores. I check their sales ads as well and write down what they have on sale that I could use. Sometime during the week I make those extra little stops.
5) Also at the bottom of my shopping list you will see "Watchlist". These are items that I know I am running low on and need to start watching for them to go on sale. This is important to saving money. If you run out of a necessity, you will go and buy it and it probably won't be on sale. Think ahead!
***I can e-mail the list to anyone who wants it but it is not editable because I started with a Microsoft Works template. I'm also not sure yet how I will attach it to e-mail so that you can open it but I'm sure I'll think of a way! Just leave me your e-mail address.
In a couple days I will finish up my Feeding the Family series with some remaining tips and discoveries that I'm very excited to share!
Comments
Jan. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tracy
Goodmorning Jill, Now you are making me feel inadequate, lol, I don't even have a shopping list, what is it that it is all in my head, I must be just plain super intelligent:), or am I buying things I don't really need like chocolate. Thanks for sharing, if I could come to your house let it be known I would stand in awe at your organisational skills.
Tracy
Jan. 13, 2007 - Woo Hoo!
Posted by TrainingHearts
You are certainly an inspiration and I have taken notes. I will be taking a blogging sabbatical for a week while I organize my family structure with meals and some other things. I will check back when I return :)
Jan. 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ladyhawk82158
What an inspiration! Thanks for posting your list! It has really made me aware that I need to get back to getting our grocery/menu reorganized again.
Jan. 15, 2007 - Song of Love
Posted by jenn4him
I love that song! Thanks for putting it on your blog for us.
Hope you've had a good weekend.
Jenn
Jan. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by crazybusy
Very cool! I do a lot of the same things as you do, but my "system" (ha, if you'd call it that!) is just not as neat and organized as yours. I'll be keeping an eye out for your tips though- we're moving to a very strict budget next month!
Love, Alyssa
