How to Create and Use a Shopping List

The backbone of all my savings is Organization. It starts right here with a shopping list. A shopping list is basically a checklist of the items you found on sale in the weekly store flyer. It makes sure you pick up the correct sale product.

I start my shopping list when the weekly flyers appear. If you don't get a paper circular, you can always go online to your favorite store and find a copy there. In my case I go to A&P.com for the weekly updates. If you've ever reviewed a flyer, you'll notice it's divided into categories just like the store aisles. You'll find frozen goods, dairy, produce, condiments and so on.

As I scan the circular by category, I chose my purchases knowing if the sale is a good one. For example Tropicana Orange Juice featured at 2/$6 or $3 is an ok sale. A better sale is 2/$5 or $2.50. The same goes for Nabisco crackers. I passed up a sale of 2/$5 knowing that the crackers will soon be offered at 2/$4 or $2 each. (Remember even if the sale is promoted as 2/$5, you can still buy 1 for the $2.50.)

So step 1, know the lowest prices of the items you buy most often.

Step 2, Next, organize your shopping list by categories just like the supermarket. This makes sense since you shop the store that way. If you list all your frozen goods together, then you make 1 stop at the frozen section. You save lots of time that way. You can create an online list of sale products at most store sites. It's easy even for me.

Step 3, Be specific in itemizing your list. If the sale lists the 3lb. size of Ricotta cheese for $2.99, that's the size to get. You'll pay $3.29 for the 1 lb. if you don't list all the sale details. Alongside the item, place the size and sale price to confirm the correct purchases.

Step 4, Have your shopping list handy at all times, but bring the flyer along when possible. When I can't find the promotional product I'll often check with a store worker. They too are not always aware of the specials. As soon as I show the flyer, there's instant recognition and I have the item I need.

Sticking to your list is Step 5. I don't mean you can't vary or pick up an extra item. However, by buying just the sale items you'll realize the maximum savings. It also saves time. You can be in and out of the aisle quickly by passing up everything except your listed products. It's a great way to focus the kids too, ‘we're only getting the items on our list.' It excludes all the extras that add up quickly. Before you know it, your kids are super shoppers too.

Step 6, Use my couponqueen.com site to create and manage your grocery list. All the work is done for you and you'll be well on your way to savings.

Let this be the start to your Shopping Experience. In the event you forget to make a list, check the end of aisle displays, those too will feature many of the sale items.

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