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Get Organized with a Grocery List Checklist

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Perhaps it’s pride, or maybe just laziness, but nine times out of ten we end up grocery-store bound without a checklist. However, according to surgeon Atul Gawande, author of The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right, operating without a checklist is inefficient and illogical. “I introduced the checklist in my operating room, and I’ve not gotten through a week without it catching a problem,” Gawande said in an interview. “It has been really eye-opening. You just realize how fundamentally fallible we are.”

Grocery shopping is, by no stretch of the imagination, a surgical procedure, however, we could learn something from Gawande’s advice. Bottom line: we mess up from time to time. A grocery list check list can make it so that nothing slips through the cracks, eliminating one stressor from our lives. While making and completing a checklist may feel like a waste of time to some, it’s extremely helpful and fast, and it allows you to get home from the grocery store with all the necessary ingredients to make a great meal.

Making the Perfect Grocery Store Checklist

While it may sound a bit silly, crafting the perfect, fail-proof checklist takes time and a bit of effort. Now there are plenty of grocery list checklists online that you can customize and print. Whether you’re making a list by hand or you’re customizing one on the web, keep these key factors in mind when making your checklist:

  • Size: Do you want an enormous checklist that you won’t lose in a huge purse? Or do you prefer a bite-sized list that you can throw in your pocket? Generally, bigger grocery lists, the ones that don’t fall out of your purse, pocket, car, or cart, are better for shopping purposes. An 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper is ideal for most.
  • Font: That cutesy font may look fabulous on the computer screen, but it may not be functional as you’re juggling children, cereal boxes, and a grocery cart, all while trying to read your list. Opt for an easily legible font, preferably in a dark color, like black.
  • Grouping and Flow: Consider grouping your items according to grocery store layout, or even order of occurrence within your grocery store. Thinking about the design of your store while making your list could save you some time when wandering the numerous aisles.
  • Quantity: Many people don’t include quantity when they’re putting items on their grocery list, but we suggest thinking about the number of each item you need before you step out your door, taking your recipes or meal plans into consideration. Dictating quantity ahead of time could prevent food waste and save you a buck.
  • Make it mandatory: Grocery lists don’t work unless they’re enforced. Put your grocery list on the refrigerator or post it up on your front door so that you don’t forget your list before you leave the house.

Your schedule’s probably jam-packed with a million things to do. You can make your life a little less disorganized by arming yourself with a grocery list checklist next time you go shopping for groceries. It will save you time and money at the store, which will make it worth the extra effort.

Stick to Your Grocery Shopping List and Avoid Supermarket Gimmicks

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David Lewis, a consumer psychologist and author of The Soul of the New Consumer: Authenticity, What We Buy and Why in the New Economy has spent 15 years analyzing how we buy. He says, “Nothing is left to chance. From the width of the aisles (planned so that you are prevented from bumping into other people, but aren’t so wide that you can’t get your hands on products) to the music (composers even spend their lives writing music designed to entice shoppers to buy more goods), a supermarket is a place where a consumer and his money are meant to part company. Remember that a supermarket is a bit like a machine; its mission is to get you to spend, so to counter this, you need to keep your wits about you.” Supermarkets are specifically designed with marketing in mind and a smart shopper should keep their eyes out for these grocery store ploys and, instead, stick to their grocery shopping list.

Supermarket Tactics to Keep in Mind

When you’re preparing your grocery shopping list and getting ready for the grocery store, make sure you are aware of these tactics supermarkets employ to get you to spend more:

  • In-Store Bakeries: The smell of fresh, baked-bread, and rows of colorful cookies tantalize your eyes and nose as you make your way into the grocery store aisles. This fresh-baked bread smell makes us hungry and gets us in the mood to spend more on tempting foods.
  • Produce in the front: Ever notice that the produce section of the grocery store is always in the front? That’s because produce makes us think “healthy” and “happy” thoughts that are comforting to the consumer while painting the brand in a good light. Additionally, produce looks best in natural light, the light that is cast at the front of the store.
  • Staples at the back of the store: If you wanted to just pop in and grab some milk, you’re out of luck. Grocery store marketers always put staples, like milk, at the back of the store so that you have to walk all the way through the aisles to get your item.
  • Checkout sales: Gum. Candy. Coke. Grocery stores make sure to put a bunch of sugary treats at the front of the store to grab your attention and get you to pay more before you exit.
  • Big carts: Ever noticed that the grocery shopping carts have gotten a bit bigger? Grocery stores have expanded the size of grocery carts over the years. Bigger carts, bigger spending.

Next time you’re in the grocery store, keep your eyes glued to your grocery list, beware of these supermarket tricks and you may just be able to walk out with what you planned and not a basket-full more.

How to Find the Perfect Grocery List Template for You

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The Cornell University Food Lab has conducted dozens of studies that analyze grocery store consumers of all shapes and sizes. As a result, they have discovered that people budget, eat, and shop differently depending on their grocery store goals, income, and tastes. Some people add up their grocery list spendings in their heads (57.4%), some use calculators (26.4%), while others just make a shopping list for budgeting (14.5%). Some people accurately calculate their home inventory (41%), some underestimate (31%), and others overestimate (24%). Ultimately, the Cornell’s greatest discovery is that everyone shops completely differently. That’s why everyone’s grocery list should be as unique as their tastes. Grocery list templates that can be downloaded online can help you find the perfect grocery list for your needs, whether you want to budget, track your coupons, plan for a meal, or simply get in and out of the store as quick as possible.

Types of Grocery List Templates

You can easily find the perfect grocery list for your lifestyle by choosing from a variety of options online:

  • Checklist: A checklist may come in two different forms. Either the template will provide a full list of everything that you usually buy at the store or it will only provide a list of the specific groceries you’re shopping for, hand-picked before printing. Either way, you will be provided with boxes alongside all of your items, where you can manually check each item off as you circle the store. A checklist is perfect for those of us who have terrible penmanship, saving us the time it takes to squint at our list again and ask, “What did I write here?” The checklist also gives you an opportunity to mark each item as you go, which another grocery list template may not provide.
  • Fill in the Blanks: A fill in the blanks list will usually be organized according to food group or grocery store layout, allowing you to write your own items in the appropriate groups. A fill in the blanks list may be beneficial to those who prefer writing grocery store items in their own handwriting or making specifications on each item in terms of brand or quantity.
  • Meals and List Format: If you’re more of a meal-planner, then the meals and list format may be just the thing for you. These lists will usually have an agenda-like week printed on one side of the list, along with a grocery list on the opposing side. Here, you can have both your meals and shopping list displayed right in front of you.
  • Organized by Food Groups: Some grocery list templates are organized by food groups, allowing you to map out all of your essential nutrients on your shopping list. The food groups, as determined by the USDA, include 1) fats, oils, and sweets, 2) milk, yogurt, and cheese, 3) meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts, 4) fruit and vegetables, and 5) bread, cereal, rice, and pasta groups. A list that’s organized by food groups allows you to proportion the grocery list to your diet and make sure that you’re feeding your family an appropriate amount of each food group for a balanced diet.
  • Budgeter’s Grocery List Template: If you’re budgeting or trying to trim your grocery store receipt down to the bare minimal, try searching the web for a budgeter’s grocery list. This type of list will allow you to insert the average number of prices of each item next to the item and estimate a total. You can also list coupons you may have and sale items in the margins.
  • Organized by Grocery Aisles: For those that want to get in and out of the grocery store in a flash, a grocery list organized by grocery store layout is ideal. Many grocery stores share the exact same layout, with produce in one section, the bakery, butcher, then groups organized by frozen foods, baked goods, grains, etc.
  • Grocery List Template Perks and Add-ons: Keep your eyes peeled for grocery lists that have spaces where can add items on, like coupons (for the budget’s grocery list) or a recipe.

Whether you’re looking to limit your spending, eat healthier, or create a great meal, there’s a grocery list out there designed to help you achieve your goals. All you have to do is identify your needs, then find the grocery list that helps you get the perfect dinner on the table.

Making Your Budget Grocery List: Healthy Grocery Store Items Under $2

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Many of us can’t afford to spend wild quantities of money on fine wines and prime rib. That much is true. However, eating healthy becomes an issue when simply adding a single nutrient, like potassium, can add almost 10% to the average American’s food bill, as a study from researchers at the University of Washington showed. However, chefs like Anthony Bourdain make a good point that, “It is without doubt that the greatest, most beloved and iconic dishes in the pantheon of gastronomy in any of the world’s mother cuisines — French, Italian, or Chinese — originated with poor, hard-pressed, hard-working farmers and laborers with no time, little money, and no refrigeration.” Bourdain continues by saying, “The notion that hard-working, hard-pressed families with little time and slim budgets have to eat crappy, processed food…is nonsense.” Truthfully, there is hope for those of us who are on a budget. Pick healthy foods that are inexpensive too and you could have a fridge full of nutritious treats for much less than a fast food meal.

$2 Items That Should Be on Every Budget Grocery List

Picking items that are both healthy and cheap can be a challenge at times. Check out these nutritious and delicious grocery store items that can help you make meals and snacks on a budget:

  • Bananas: Loaded with potassium, digestible carbohydrates, and fiber, bananas can be eaten raw, saved for banana bread, or chopped up and dehydrated to make banana chips. In fact, you can get a week’s worth of bananas for well under $1.
  • Celery: Celery costs about a dollar a pound, making it an extremely affordable treat. About 95% water, celery keeps your skin looking supple and hydrated, gives you a nice dose of fiber, and has very little calories. Eat celery with some peanut butter or almond butter for a delicious snack.
  • Brown Rice: Just two cents more than the alternative, brown rice rings in at about 18 cents per serving, $1.75 per pound. Serve brown rice with beans, chicken, or just about any other main course for a wonderful, and nutritious, dinner.
  • Broccoli: Containing cancer-fighting phytonutrients, calcium, vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and fiber, broccoli is an inexpensive superfood that should be on everyone’s weekly grocery list. Add it to salads and stir fries, lightly sauté or steam it and serve with a low-fat dip.
  • Peanut butter: Versatile, yummy, and full of protein, peanut butter is a wonderful treat that’s only about 20 cents per serving. While peanut butter is high in calories, it’s mostly monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol. Spread onto whole grain bread with a banana for a protein-packed meal, or use it to make sauce for an Asian stir fry.
  • Old-Fashioned oats: Oats are the ultimate healthy, inexpensive meal, at about 13 cents per serving. Each serving only contains about 150 calories, but packs in 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Make oatmeal in the winter or bake oats with brown sugar, honey, and raisins or dried fruit for homemade granola or a granola bar treat.
  • Fresh bagged spinach: With vitamin C, huge amounts of vitamin A, calcium, and folic acid, spinach is an amazingly versatile and healthy food that costs about 33 cents for a 2-cup serving (about the size of a side salad).
  • Canned beans: Canned refried beans have 7 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, calcium and iron at only about 34 cents per serving. These beans are great for dips, enchiladas, nachos, burritos, as a side or with many other Mexican-style dishes.

Maybe Anthony Bourdain was right: you can eat healthy for less! All it takes is knowing the right ingredients to work with. Use these ingredients to keep your grocery budget on track and eat healthy, too.

Resources to Format and Find a Printable Grocery List Template

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You may have already read our article on how to find the perfect grocery list template for you but you still may have trouble formatting, editing, or printing your grocery list templates. Luckily, we have some resources where you can find a grocery list template that’s easy for you to format, whether you feel most comfortable with Mac Pages or Microsoft Word.

#1 PDF: Grocery lists templates generally transfer well to PDF format, and PDF templates don’t usually require you to do much formatting. If you want to be able to type entries into your PDF grocery list template, you should make sure that you download a template that is not read-only and that allows you to enter text. Read-only versions of PDF grocery shopping list templates will need to be printed, and you’ll have to handwrite items, prices, and other information on the template.

If you don’t already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, install it by visiting the Adobe website. You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, edit, save, and print templates that are in PDF format.

#2 Microsoft Word: Since Microsoft Word is generally made for writing out long essays or documents, formatting a chart (which a grocery list will generally provide you with) may be tricky.

Fortunately, most Microsoft Word templates you can download are already formatted for you. Editing a template on Microsoft Word just takes a few clicks and a little bit of typing, and printing on Microsoft Word is simple and straightforward.

#3 Excel: Excel will most likely only be used for grocery list templates that are computing data, like budgets or prices of individual data.

If you use a grocery list template primarily for budgeting, Excel will help you quickly add up prices and assess whether your trip to the grocery store will cost you more or less than you desire. Excel can also help you figure out which non-essential items you should take off your grocery list to save money.

#4 Mac Pages: Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of grocery list templates that are available exclusively for Mac Pages (you can look at pre-formulated templates on the Pages database or import Word documents into pages).

Once you’ve imported a Word document into Mac Pages, you can easily edit, print, and save it. Since Mac Pages is similar to Microsoft Word in many ways, you can expect a similar grocery list template experience in both programs.

If you have a program you’re more comfortable using, you can usually export/import templates from other programs into that program. However, it may be easier to simply find a template online already in the format you are familiar with.

Planning a Low Sodium Diet with Your Printable Grocery Shopping List

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Ninety percent of people in the United States consume more than the recommended amount of sodium, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A surplus of sodium in the diet raises blood pressure, which, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke — diseases that kill more than 800,000 Americans each year. Instead of shaking table salt onto everything that passes your lips, use a printable grocery list as a tool to minimize your sodium intake and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is a Printable Grocery Shopping List?

A printable grocery shopping list is a shopping list you can find online and print out, rather than writing your own grocery list by hand. It’s extremely easy to find one online, simply search and find one that appeals to you.

How can it help me minimize my salt intake?

Minimize your salt intake by writing the amount of sodium alongside all of your grocery store items or by starring historically high sodium items like deli meats, bread and rolls, poultry, soups, cheeseburgers, cheese, pasta, meat dishes, potato chips, and pretzels. Check the sodium levels of items on your printable grocery list as you walk through the grocery store and make sure you don’t pick high sodium foods.

What foods should I put on my printable grocery shopping list that are low in sodium?

A product is considered low sodium if it has less than 140 mg per serving. If you want to decrease your sodium intake, shoot for about 2,000 mg or 2 g of sodium per day. Foods that are naturally low in sodium include fresh foods, like fruits and veggies, and some grains, like rice and shredded wheat. While dried beans are great for a low sodium shopper, watch the sodium content in canned beans to avoid a kick of sodium. You should also watch out for the high sodium contents in canned soups, frozen dishes, tomato juice, ham, and bacon, canned beans, and almost all prepared foods.

There are plenty of low sodium products out there for those that want to cut their salt intake. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the labels and use a printable grocery shopping list to drastically reduce your sodium intake.

Navigating the Grocery Store With a Grocery Shopping List Template

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More and more people are discovering the usefulness of grocery lists, especially those that can be found and downloaded online. You can save 5% or more on your grocery store purchases by simply sticking to a list and getting out of the grocery store as quickly as possible. A grocery list template, in particular, can give you an organized grocery list, downloaded off of the internet with just the click of a mouse. There are many online grocery list templates available to help you make your shopping trips run more smoothly. To better optimize your trip to the grocery store, you can base the order of your grocery list on your store layout. That way, you can have a set “route” and zip in and out of the aisles in no time. Thankfully, many grocery stores have the exact same layout. Here is your guide to understanding the basic grocery store layout and how to get in and out with ease:

Entrance: As you enter the grocery store, nine times out of ten the first thing you’ll see is the produce. Therefore, all of your produce should be first on your grocery list.

Perimeter: The produce, deli, and bakery are most likely all on the perimeter of the store, close to each other. You may find a salad bar or sushi bar too in a bigger store. Check out this section of the store after you grab your produce. Put your deli cuts and cheeses on the grocery list next, followed by baked goods.

Continuing Around the Perimeter: Continuing around the edge of the store, you’ll likely find meats. Put your steaks or chicken breasts on your list next.

Aisles: Now it’s time to conquer the aisles. Near the meats you’ll likely find the bulk section, sliced breads, moving on to canned foods and snack foods. Cereals are grouped together, while candies and snacks are usually close by. Then you’ll find the beverage aisle. Make your way through the aisles until you’ve completed your list, aside from frozen foods and toiletries.

Opposing perimeters: The frozen food aisles occur last on most people’s grocery store layout. Put your milk, eggs, and frozen food items last on your list.

By the checkout: The location of toiletries will vary, as you’re working your way back up to the checkout (making sure to take the perimeter of the store to avoid picking up something you don’t need) stop by the toiletries aisle, if you need things like deodorant or makeup.

Checkout: Lastly, turn the other cheek when you see candies and soda at the front of the store, check out, and get outta there!

Hopefully, this guide to grocery store layouts has helped give you an idea of how you should choose your grocery list template. Look online to see if you can find a grocery list template that has a layout similar to your grocery store to help you get in and out of the store in a flash and, ultimately, save a buck or two.

A Free Grocery List Can Make Shopping Easy

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We’ve all heard the accounting “hoop-lah” from those that say we shouldn’t spend over 30% of our income on rent or mortgage payments and that 5-10% of our income should be spent on groceries. Really, we just want to get in and out of the grocery store without a receipt that resembles a phonebook. However, it’s not always that easy. Take advantage of tools that can help you save money and not spend huge amounts of time wandering the grocery store aimlessly. Free grocery lists, in particular, can be found online and used to plan and organize your grocery shopping experience, particularly, your grocery store budget.

Finding a Free Grocery List and Sticking to Your Budget

To get an online free grocery list specially made for your budget, perform a quick search on your favorite online search engine. You’ll find a slew of different templates that can help you make a free printable grocery list. Many options out in cyberspace don’t have a specific budget function. If you find a template that you like, however, just select it and make adjustments to tailor the template to your budget. For example, create a grocery list, print it out, then, beside each item, write your “goal-price” or the price that you would like to pay for each item. Having numbers beside your items will help you stay cognizant of your budget while you’re at the grocery store. Also have a grocery store total in mind and state that total at the bottom of your grocery list. This will keep you from swaying from your grocery list and buying unneeded items.

Try and keep your eyes peeled for free grocery lists that can be synced to free budgeting apps. This will help you organize meal planning at large, not just when you’re hitting the grocery store. You can subscribe to websites that will provide you with a free grocery list in addition to budgeting tips and cheap meal recipes that you can prep for less.

While having a free grocery list that’s geared towards big savings will help you out in the long run, it’s also important to keep grocery store budgeting tips in mind as your peruse the aisles. For example, don’t shop hungry! You’ll be tempted to grab every snack food in sight. Do all your own chopping (as pre-chopped goods are often horrendously expensive) and look for sales in the newspaper before you head to the grocery store.

There are a variety of lists you can choose from, so finding the best list for you should be a cinch. Once you’re at the grocery store with your list, you’ll find budgeting a lot easier than you ever imagined it could be.

When to Use a Blank Grocery List

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About one-third of consumers polled for Shopping for Health, an annual study from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) employ smartphone apps in the creation of grocery lists. While fancy grocery list apps may be extremely helpful, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for applications that include a blank grocery list. A blank grocery list is one that does not provide a list of ingredients for you, but instead has blanks in which you can write your own grocery list items. Here are some reasons why you may need a blank grocery list:

  • You prefer obscure grocery list items, like tempeh, tofu, or panko, which cannot be found on pre-made grocery lists.
  • If you want to specify brands, you may want to stay away from pre-made grocery lists. With grocery lists online that list all the ingredients for you, they probably won’t indicate particular brands that you may prefer.
  • If you want to create a grocery list that’s geared towards weight loss, an online, already-made grocery list may be for you. Instead, find a blank or customizable grocery list, which could allow you to specify calories.
  • Perhaps you’re only baking for two people, or maybe you’re baking a feast for 12. If you want to indicate servings on your grocery list, a blank grocery list is definitely for you.
  • If it’s for a specific recipe (in which case you need a grocery list that’s linked with your recipe bank).
  • You would like to hand-decorate your grocery list. Some people tend to gravitate toward grocery lists that are colorful and hand-crafted. If this is you, then print out a blank grocery list on colorful, beautiful paper or doodle on your blank grocery list.
  • You shop at a unique or small grocer, and therefore need to lay out your items based on a different grocery store experience. Many grocery lists online to print are based on food groups and how they are universally laid out at a supermarket. However, if you do much of your shopping at the farmers’ market or the Asian grocer down the street, you may not be able to find a grocery list online that divides food up based on these grocery layouts.
  • You shop at multiple grocers for different items and you prefer to lay your grocery list out based on these specifications. You may get your produce from a bulk supplier, your specialty-goods from a high-end grocer, and your fish from the market down the street. If this is the case, get your hands on a customizable or blank grocery list to indicate your multiple, grocery store stops.

A blank grocery list can come in handy if you have any or all of the above criteria. Next time you’re checking out a grocery store app, make sure it has functionality that allows you to quickly and effectively translate what’s onscreen to printable grocery lists.