Conserving Delivery and Curbside Pickup TimeslotsWith everyone isolating themselves against Covid-19, more people are using curbside and delivery services, which is great for reducing contact! But, those timeslots are at a premium. I felt like I was playing a slot machine trying to get one the other day.
Organizing Your Shopping ListTo locate your shopping list easier, use colored paper or cardboard and keep it permanently in your purse. Use different colored inks to desiginate your preferences and stores.
Keep A Running Shopping ListWe all know sticking to a list is the key to saving money. I live 11 miles from town, so I keep what I call a 'running list' all the time. When I make it down the mountain, I know I have to keep to the list to keep the pantry stocked, especially in the winter.
Use Your Cooler When Grocery ShoppingPut your perishables in a cooler. This will allow you to make multiple stops and not worry about food spoiling. This tip is especially useful in the warmer months. If it's really hot, throw in a couple of ice packs into the cooler.
Laundry Basket to Transport Warehouse PurchasesWhen we are going to be shopping at Sam's Club, where they do not bag the groceries we purchase, I put my laundry basket in the truck of the car. When unloading the shopping cart, we put the items into the laundry basket.
Use Trashcan with Wheels to Transport PurchasesI have a clean 32 gal trashcan with wheels that I use to transport purchases from the vehicle into the house and nothing falls out in large holes like the wire shopping carts.
Keeping Track Of Page Numbers For Catalog ItemsIt can be very frustrating to know there is an item you saw and wanted in a catalog but not be able to find it again. I use a method that solves this problem with very little trouble.
Take a Cell Phone Picture of Shopping ListCan't remember the name of the medicine you got when you get to the store? Tired of pieces of paper floating around and getting nowhere and lost? Need to remember to get something from the store and always forget?
Organizing Store Frequent Shopper CardsMany stores offer "frequent shopper" cards that look like credit cards. These were always in my wallet, but they were hard to find and keep organized. I took all the cards I use, punched a hole in the corner of each one, then put them all on a keyring.
Use Your Cell Phone As A Shopping ListI sometimes forget my shopping list when I head out to do my shopping. I discovered my cell phone has a notepad on it. I have started keeping my liist on my phone now. We always have our phone with us so no more forgotten list.
Organizing My Weekly Shopping TripsIn order to save money on my weekly shopping, I go to several stores. But I was always having trouble remembering if an item was cheaper at a store.
Attach Store Discount Cards to Shopping BagWhen I go food shopping, I have attached my price plus discount card to my recyclable bag. I just punched a hole in the card (away from the bar code). No more misplaced card and I recycle at the same time.
Master Grocery ListTo save time and trips to the grocery store, I have a master list of everything I keep on hand. I keep it folded and stuck in a coffee cup in the kitchen cabinet. The items on the paper are listed in the order that it is set up in the grocery store.
Keep Grocery List in Cell PhoneI keep my grocery list on the "notepad" of my cell phone, so that when I go to the store, all I have to do is check on my phone to see what I need. No more forgotten grocery list at home. I always have my cell phone with me.
Use Lists for PlanningMy husband teases me because I have inherited a family trait of making lists for everything! It sure helps when we go shopping, so I know exactly what we need for recipes, etc.
Add Items to Grocery List as They are Used UpSometimes when life gets hectic, it is difficult to keep track of pantry and freezer contents before setting up a grocery list. Instead of going through them to see what I need, I purchased a cheap (dollar store) magnetic dry erase board and keep it on the fridge.
Organize Grocery List by DepartmentI made up this shopping list and found it to be very helpful. It separates the items I need so I don't walk all over the store needlessly.
Remembering Items For Grocery ShoppingAt times, I have forgotten coupons, grocery lists, reusable bags, etc. when I grocery shop. This can be very frustrating. I now keep a small bag with all my necessities.
Carry a Clothing Color Chart When ShoppingReturning clothing you have purchased is a hassle no one wants to have to deal with. I hate when I buy something and it doesn't match, or I pass up an item on sale because I didn't remember I had a new skirt it would have been perfect for until I got back home.
An Organized Shopping ListSave a lot of time and money by organizing your grocery list the the location of the item.
Create an Inventory List for Household ProductsTo cut down on buying items you already have, create an inventory list for the bathroom, kitchen and pantry. Create two columns. Column 1 is to list the items you like to have on hand and column 2 is to check off when you run out of an item.
Keep Membership Cards On a KeyringOrganize your store "perk" cards, gym membership cards, library card etc. by punching a hole in one of the corners using a hole puncher and then putting them on a key ring.
Use Laundry Basket For Transporting GroceriesSince I only have so many hands for shopping bags and hand holding, I now leave a laundry basket in my van when I go shopping. I can usually fit all of the bags into the basket.
Keep Track of Rebates (Printable)Why do companies offer large rebates on both high and low ticket items? As many as 40% of all rebates are never redeemed by the consumer. The redemption rate is even less during the holiday season.
Keeping Track of SalesMaintain a notepad with sale items you need so it's handy when you go shopping.
Grocery Shopping Lists and RecipesTo make my grocery list I then just need to check out the specials, go to my box and quickly choose what I'll cook for the next two weeks and write down what I'll have to buy...
Rotating Stockpiled GoodsWhen stockpiling groceries and other items, to save from making unnecessary trips out shopping, whether it's by using coupons, sales, or just your savvy shopping sense and skills.
A Map for ShoppingWrite down which items are in which aisle numbers in your grocery store. Then order your shopping list accordingly and you won't find yourself re-tracing your steps a million times.
Pen Around Your Neck for ShoppingI purchased a special pen which attaches to a lanyard around my neck. I bring it with me when I go shopping to make sure I (a.) cross everything off my list and therefore do not miss anything, and (b.) never lose my pen.
Make a Shopping List TemplateKeep a list of what you usually buy at the store and print it on the computer. You can make several copies at a time. When you get ready to go to the grocery store just glance through and check off what you need.
Keeping Bags from Tipping in your VehicleWhen shopping, take an 18 gallon plastic box with you in your vehicle. You can place your shopping bags in it and thus avoid the bags tipping over and things falling out.
By Jo Ann
Grocery Shopping List TipsEveryone probably knows that it is helpful to put a shopping list on fridge so that you can make note of what you have run out of. Another good idea is to put a list on the inside of your cupboard or panty where you store dry goods.
Keep Sticky Notes in the BathroomKeep sticky notes inside cabinet doors in your bathroom. When you run out or are low on an item, write it down. When it's time to shop, pick up your mini lists and you'll have everything written down.
Use Junk Mail for Shopping ListsI save envelopes junk mail comes in and use it to stash my coupons and shopping list when heading to the grocery store.