1. Do you take a grocery list to the store?
   1. No. I just wander around and pull whatever looks good off the shelf.
   2. Yes. It's organized by department, item quantity, and brand.
   3. Sometimes, if I don't leave it at the house.

You should take a list with you every time you go to the store. When you follow a list, you buy only what you need. If you stick to your grocery list, you can reduce your grocery bill and food waste. It also allows you to get quickly in and out of the store. It is the key to saving time and money in the grocery store.

2. How many times a week do you go to the grocery store?
   1. Once
   2. Three times.
   3. Every day.

Multiple trips to the grocery store without a plan cause shoppers to spend more money. A grocery store is designed to entice you to pull items off the shelf, so the more often you go, the more you have to resist temptation.

3. How long does it take you to do your weekly grocery shop?
   1. Weekly shop? I have to go once a day!
   2. 45 minutes -- I backtrack a lot.
   3. 26.4 minutes flat.

Studies show that for every minute over thirty (30) minutes you spend in the grocery store, you spend $1 a minute. If you organize your grocery list by department, you can minimize the time you spend in the store. That will save you $1 per minute!

4. Where is your grocery list, right now?
   1. I don't use a grocery list.
   2. There are some items on a sticky note in the kitchen, a notebook at work, and my spouse sent me a text message.
   3. A spreadsheet, which I export to an email that auto-updates hourly.

Many people start multiple grocery lists, but bringing all of them to the store is a challenge. Develop a master list that stays in the same place. Then, family members will know where they can add items they need and trips to the grocery will be streamlined. Food on the Table allows you to send your grocery list to your email or view it on your iPhone.

5. What grocery trip is in the best order?
   1. frozen, meat, produce, cereal.
   2. cereal, meat, produce, frozen, cereal.
   3. produce, meat, cereal, frozen.

The benefit of the grocery list is that it helps you avoid backtracking. Answer B is the perfect example of forgetting an item in the cereal aisle and having to go back to get it while your frozen foods are melting!

Your Score:

If you scored 0-5, you are a Little League Grocery Lister

With your list level, you are susceptible to falling into the merchandising traps set by the store. You also maybe be frustrating from wandering around the grocery store aisles to retrieve a forgotten item. Start by creating a simple grocery list, even if it's not organized by department. If you're looking for some guidance, try this printable Grocery List Template.

If you scored 6-11, you are a JV Grocery Lister

You likely take a list to the store and stick to it, but you may not have it organized by department. With a little meal planning and the right template, you can graduate to going to the store just once a week with a highly efficient list.

If you scored 12+, you are a Grocery List Guru

You have achieved the highest level of grocery list knowledge. Your grocery list is online, organized by department, and accessible by your entire family. You are Flo Jo when it comes to getting in and out of the store, even when you have the kids.

Improve Your Grocery List Score with Food on the Table

Whether you're in the Little League or a Guru, Food on the Table can help you create a grocery list. We do the hard work to:

• Create a grocery list from your weekly recipes,
• Organize by department,
• Include sale information, brand, and quantities next to items,
• Keep regularly purchased items on the list,
• Offer the option to print, email, or view on iPhone.

Do you want to make your trips to the grocery store fast and less expensive? Sign up for Food on the Table. It's free.

Next: Use the Ultimate Guide to Building a Grocery List to create a list that will help you save time and money.