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

Not sure a list helps my FIL reduce waste. We do his shopping and he gives us a list of what he wants every week. He currently has in his cupboards10 bottle of shower gel, 8 packets of spaghetti, enough tins of beans and soup to start his own shop, 5 tubs of spread... (And don't even get me started on the rotting veg in his fridge).

We usually write a list but there have been times we have nipped in the supermarket on a whim, hence needing to maybe clarify/ask questions to each other.

What an odd thread op 😅

😂
Haven't seen a shopping list posted on here recently, maybe it's because they're going out of fashion!

I use the geography of the supermarket.

"Oh, I'm in the milk section, do I need milk"

"Oh, that might be nice for dinner"

Granted it often takes a quick detour back to the veg to buy peppers for example if I've taken a fancy to Mexican, but hey, I have time.

I think some people just like a casual 'window shop' experience where they wander the aisles and pick up what they fancy.

Im a compulsive list maker though. I would never remember anything if I didnt write it on my fridge whiteboard then take a list out with me!
Also I like to get in and out quickly, no window shopping.

If they are old fashioned then they need to be back in fashion!
Making a meal plan and writing a shopping list helps us be more organised and save money and wastage. Sometimes I'll write exact thing, eg bread, milk, carrots, other times I'll write 'fruit' and get what looks best (though there's some fruit I pretty much always get, such as apples).

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

Well, sticking to a list could stop you over buying, but only if it is written to take account of things which might be genuinely reduced cost.

The happy message is that as adults we all get to do it however works for us.

I hope you tap them on the shoulder and tell them this, very firmly.

Perhaps you could hand out little pencils and slips of paper brfore you allow people into the store.

I'm fairly forgetful, so use a shopping list app on my phone.

Yes list is made here.
Meal planning as well.

How can you remember what you need if you just walk around.

I make out a draft list when I'm planning our meals for the week, then write it out in the order I go round the shops so I can be in and out as quickly as possible.

Always have a list. If I don't write it down, there's no way I'll remember what we need. Sometimes I don't actually look at the list, but the act of writing fixes it!

Are you quoting me?
It saves me money, helps me reduce waste, and helps me feel more organised.
I also find shopping in Lidl helps as there's less stimulation than Tesco (music, 'offers' etc) and the online leaflets help me prepare/decide in advance if any promotions appeal.
(We only have Lidl, Tesco, Coop here).

My list is on a spreadsheet on my phone, along with meal plan. 👍

I sometimes make a list, sometimes don't. Stuff like bread and milk don't need to know there. Sometimes it's vague (lunches X 3), sometimes more specific

Things I don't buy often go know the list. But I was still thwarted by Waitrose not having Herbes de Provence yesterday. I might need to go to Tesco for that.

I make a list along side a meal plan and it's on my phone. I tend not to actually consult it as I walk around though and if dh is there, he'll ask random questions even though I've sent him a copy of the list.

I love my lists! And the way I organize the pantry it's glaringly obvious what I'm running short of. Also everyone puts things on the running list when things get low. I know things would get missed without it. Some people must just enjoy the browsing when they get there!

I had to stop using the whiteboard for lists and use pen and paper after my kids started rubbing out the items and drawing bums and willies instead. (Thankfully they grew out of it).

You can easily make a list and once in the shop wonder whether you ought to get plain flour/tinned tomatoes/onions, too.

Though I dare say rather more perfect/efficient people than I am, will always know exactly down to the last gram/millilitre how much of every single ingredient is in their fridge/freezer/cupboard.

Sorry, this was meant to quote @Borborygmus. The app sounds a good idea too.

😀
Not so many of those posts these days, used to at least 3 a week!

I meal plan, write a list (in order of the aisles I visit) and do a weekly food shop. Even with a list I still find myself asking DH if we need bread etc because I write the dinner planner and list a day or two before I go. Had no idea people might be judging me! 😁

I find a list very useful.
I tend to work out a rough meal plan before a big shop and prepare a list of the things I will need. By doing this it also encourages me to use up any bits and pieces left over, which helps reduce waste.
I also use Alexa to add items to a shopping list when I use the last of them, or if I notice we are getting low on a particular item, so we don't tend to run out of things like toothpaste or washing powder.
However, it's not written in tablets of stone - I can and do substitute/buy additional items, especially if they are on special offer, and/or alter my meal plan accordingly.
Flexibility is the key.