Go with a list - but a detailed one

Chrysanthemum

We have saved some money simply by being orderly and letting my husband do the shopping! We do a weekly shop in our nearest supermarket, (Tesco) and have constructed a list containing all the items we usually buy at some time, arranged in row of like products and these ararnged in Aisle order. Each week we ring in red all the items we know we need (& want) and my husband, who rarely browses, efficiently goes up and down picking up these items as quickly as possible. Very occasionally he may notice something not on our list that he thinks would be good to have and sometimes varies the brand because of price or some other reason - we both are quite good at looking at snall print and working out cost per standard weight etc. The day after each shop a new list is printed out and left around for us to ring a product if and when we notice we'll need it next time and then before going, a quick check through of all items is made. It was a bit laborious to set up and occasionally aisles need adjusting, but it has been well worth the time saving as well as reduction to virtually zero in impulse buys.

rosalie-lavender

That sounds like a very good system. Sadly it wouldn't work for me. I once asked my husband to buy a chicken and he spent £40. :eek:

It was also a few years ago so £40 was worth more then too.

maman

rosalie-lavender wrote: »

That sounds like a very good system. Sadly it wouldn't work for me. I once asked my husband to buy a chicken and he spent £40. :eek:

It was also a few years ago so £40 was worth more then too.

I try to never take my DH shopping as too many biscuits end up in the trolley!


I'd certainly commend anyone who wants to save money/cut waste to use a shopping list and stick to it. There's nothing that I buy every week as a matter of course except milk. Even bread I have a week off buying occasionally to use up what's in the freezer.


I keep a pad to hand in the kitchen and we make a note of anything running low. Then I do my meal plan based on what's in the freezer/fridge/cupboards and add only essential extra ingredients to the list. Only deviation from the list is for offers I notice on things that will freeze/keep.

Steve059

Another vote for shopping from a list. It not only ensures that you only get the things you need, but also that you don't get things you don't.

However, of course, if you see a "yellow stickered" bargain, you don't walk away from it because it isn't on the list.

I also "ROBOshop" and check who does the best deal for what I need beforehand. OK, I'm retired, so I have both the financial incentive and the time to do so.

My old Palm Zire 21 PDA is also enjoying an active retirement as my electronic shopping list. It's less easy to forget to take it with me than a piece of paper.

Peggybabcot

There's a great free app called any list and it pretty much does the same. It remembers previous purchases so you can go through them and add them when needed and you can put the departments in aisle order and have several lists for different shops. If I run out of something or notice we're running low I can just add to the list. The good thing is I never leave home without my mobile. The same can't be said about a paper list x

Anatidaephobia

We always use a shopping list (though not quite as sophisticated a list as yours, Chrysanthemum!). I can't imagine doing my shopping regularly without a list, I'd come home without half the stuff I was supposed to buy. Using a list also helps focus the mind - I tend not to buy things that aren't on the list. The exceptions are reduced items or offers.

[Deleted User]

rosalie-lavender wrote: »

That sounds like a very good system. Sadly it wouldn't work for me. I once asked my husband to buy a chicken and he spent £40. :eek:

It was also a few years ago so £40 was worth more then too.

I too made the mistake of sending my late OH out to buy some bits with a ten pound note after I came home from giving birth to my eldest DD in 1967.Never again,bless him he bought instead of some Vim, Tide washing powder and half a lb of butter, a big box of chocolates a bottle of bubbly and a single red rose.very nice but blew the weeks housekeeping in 10 minutes flat and luckily I had some stuff stored in the cupboard.he was soppy with cash and had not a clue how to budget,but had a heart as big as Texas and would give his last tanner away to make you smile.