Write a shopping list before going shopping

[longlocks]

When shopping, which I also do an elderly great aunt and her neighbour - often hear couples talk to each other "do we need any bread/milk?", "have we got enough bananas?"

Noticed that these people don't have a shopping list. Having a shopping list and sticking to it saves both money and food waste

They are not odd questions to ask. I ask questions like that before shopping too. I do make a list but it's on my phone and I'm not sure anyone would actually notice that i was doing this. It is also okay to not make a list. How do you know of these people make a list of not? Why does it matter to you?

Never had a list and we don't have any issues with food waste. If you need it, write it. But it's not compulsory.

Some people like to be a bit more spontaneous. It won’t work for you, but if others seem to like it, they’re not really hurting anyone.

You’ll think I’m even more bonkers, we have a shared shopping list, but when I go I forget to look at it! I’ve obviously been very lucky as I haven’t overspent or experienced food waste!

We do have a list and we’re fairly organised and go once a week

but sometimes do end up in tesco spontaneously and have those sorts of questions.

so, people can do both!! A very odd thing to be worried about

Can’t write a shopping list in case I drop it & by time I get home it’s on it’s own thread on MN

I absolutely need a shopping list. Pen and paper. There’s a list on the fridge for things to get written down as we think of them and then I take that when I go shopping. I’d forget a lot if I didn’t have it.

I’m actually checking over my list now about to head into the supermarket. Timely thread!

Why does it matter to you?

I have a lousy memory, so using a Dry-wipe marker, I write a list on my fridge door and take a photo on my phone before going shopping.

When I come back, I wipe off what I remembered to buy, having forgotten to take my phone to Sainsburys with me.

In theory this should work. 🙄

We don't have a shopping list 🤷🏻‍♀️

We tend to go in and just get what we fancy! I think shopping lists (physical written down ones) might be a bit old fashioned - I don't think I ever see anyone with one if I'm honest.

I like a list to leave on the table at home.

See also shopping bags that I leave in the boot of my car

What's wrong with having a conversation with someone about whether or not you need bananas? If nothing else, it's making conversation

You've came on MN to tell people what to do? How strange.

Nope not in this household. I do it online twice a week, DH knows when the cut offs are for them and will say "can you put some deodorant on the shop for me". The idea of shopping out and about together is terrifying 😂

This is me too.
My list is always on the coffee table.
I own many supermarket carrier bags. 😂

I have more bags for life in my car than most supermarkets have in the shop.

I'm going to live forever. 😂

I think if you are shopping for other people then you will need a list for them.

I just generally wing it.

I am terrible for writing lists and then leaving them at home/in the car/in the office etc 🤣 pretty much every time

But then what would we say to each other round the aisles if I had a list?!

I do a list, but when you see something it can prompt you into asking your DP if you need it. I have been known to forget to put real essentials on the list because they are so obvious. And if things are cheap you might decide to buy even if you probably have enough at the minute (not perishables obviously). A list for me is a guide, not written in stone.

I use a list, my dsis does not, just buys whatever she sees that looks nice. She's retired so can nip back whenever she wants, I work so I can't and need to get it right first trip.

There is one thing I do not understand though.

The (mostly) men who ring their partners 27 times during a single trip to Tesco and ask 'which rice should I get'?, shall I get skimmed milk or semi-skimmed? Is sourdough ok? No added sugar beans or the normal ones?

AAAARGH, FFS man just make a decision on your own and GET OUT OF THE WAY.

I now go to Tesco at 7am to avoid all the ditherers and family outings 😁

Lists are a bit pointless when you use small shops (butcher, greengrocer) and don’t know what they’ll have in. Prefer to be spontaneous.

I never use a list. I don't tend to forget things.

I use the Alexa shopping list app. When I notice we need something I tell Alexa to add it to the shopping list then I have the app on my phone in the shop.

This would be a perfect system except... I quite often forget to add things to the list. I am training my family to add to the list but they are crap. The app doesn't open in the shop as there is no signal. Alexa sometimes mishears and I have to convert random words into an identifiable item.

Having a shopping list and sticking to it saves both money and food waste

Living life by a shopping list is so mundane and dry to me.

I don't have a list, never had one. I don't waste food either, as I buy little and often