Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Works For Me: Kitchen Edition

Organizing A Grocery List

Well, Shannon has inspired us to share our best kitchen management ideas.

Since I am not known for being organized (at least not at the level of having any helpful tips), I want to share with you how I organize a grocery list.

Whenever I make a grocery list, I divide it into categories, leaving space under each one. Then, I fill in the items I need. Here is an example:

Deli
1/2 pound turkey breast

Produce
tomatoes
lettuce
oranges

Meats
ground beef
chicken breasts
something for dinner tonight

Frozen Foods
popsicles
box broccoli
toaster strudel

Dairy
milk
sour cream
cheddar cheese

Breads
loaf bread
rolls for dinner
hot dog buns

Snacks
something for lunches
tortilla chips

Sodas
diet coke
bottled water

Misc. (like detergents, cat food, etc.)
Tide
dryer sheets


I also separate the list into certain aisles. After I've shopped at a store a few times, I remember that the salsa is on the same aisle as the soups or the spaghetti sauce, for example. So I group those items together on my list.

Here is an example of separating them by aisle/type of canned good:

Other
cream of chicken soup
beef broth

Spaghetti sauce
Pasta
Parm. cheese in the can

You can just divide up your list each time or, if you are really organized, you can make up a grocery list form on your computer and print one out every time you shop.

Grouping items on your list together that are near each other in the store keeps you from running from aisle to aisle and then back again.

You know that feeling. You are in the dairy section and look down at your list and say,"Oh Man, I need some tomatoes!"

Then you go back to produce to get the tomatoes, look down at your list and see "sour cream."

I hate that.

Do you have any more tips for kitchen management? Share them over at Shannon's.

5 comments:

Amy@ MomsToolbox said...

Love your plan! I actually created a list template in Word with all the categories in the order of my favorite grocery store. I keep a fresh printout on the back of my pantry door with a pencil so I can fill in as I go.. and then check off as I shop.

Kathy in WA said...

This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I wrote a post a while back with my basic (blank) grocery lists per store. Similar idea.

Duckabush Blog

Master Grocery List

Frugal Finds said...

You are much more organized than I am!!

Jerralea said...

Yeah, I like your way better than mine: all I do is separate food from non-food items. I'm going to try it your way. Thanks for the info!

The Farmer's Wife said...

Great idea! I do much of what you've described moreless, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one!! My Hubby makes fun of me! I can't WAIT to tell him there are others....