Food
A grocery list that never forgets the milk
4 min read · Updated
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Grocery lists fail when they stay at home, only one person writes on them or they are in random order.
- Keep one list, on your phone, that everyone in the household adds to.
- Sort it the way you walk through the shop and keep an "always" list for the basics.
- Write the meal plan first, then the list.
You went to the shop for milk. You came back with bread, coffee, a plant and a bag of crisps. No milk.
"Where's that list?" On the fridge. At home.
A grocery list only works if it's with you, and if everyone adds to it.
Why do grocery lists fail?
- It's on paper at home, and you're in the shop
- Only one person writes on it, so it's never complete
- It's in random order, so you walk up and down the aisles twice
- It's in a chat, between 40 other messages
What makes a grocery list work?
Three rules:
- One list. Not one per person, not one per app.
- Everyone adds to it. The moment you use the last of something, it goes on.
- It's on your phone. So it's in the shop when you are.
Everything in sight. On one board.
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Start 7 days freeOr see all templates →How should I sort the list?
The way you walk through the shop. For most supermarkets:
- Fresh: fruit, vegetables, bread
- Fridge: milk, cheese, eggs, meat
- Cupboard: pasta, rice, tins, coffee
- Freezer
- Household: soap, toilet paper, bin bags
What about things you buy every week?
Keep an "always" list: the basics you buy every week. Before you shop, run through it in ten seconds and add what's running low.
How do I make it match my meal plan?
Write the meal plan first, then the list. Go meal by meal and add what's missing. Then nothing is forgotten, and nothing extra goes in.
More on that: meal planning for busy families.
How do I get the family to use it?
- Share the list with everyone in the house
- One rule: whoever finishes it, adds it
- Tick things off in the shop, so everyone sees it's done
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Your grocery list setup
Screenshot this:
- One list, shared with the whole household
- Whoever finishes it, adds it
- Sorted the way you walk through the shop
- An "always" list for the weekly basics
- Meal plan first, then the list
Tonight, start one shared list. Ask everyone at home to add one thing.
Questions
How do I make a grocery list that works?
Keep one shared list on your phone, let everyone add to it the moment something runs out, and sort it the way you walk through the shop.
How should I organise my shopping list?
By section: fresh, fridge, cupboard, freezer and household, in the order you walk through the shop.
What is an always list?
A short list of the basics you buy every week. Run through it before shopping and add what is running low.
How do I get my family to use the shopping list?
Share it with everyone, agree that whoever finishes something adds it, and tick things off in the shop.
Should I make my meal plan or shopping list first?
The meal plan first, then the list, going meal by meal.
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