45+ Sample Grocery Lists

What Are Grocery Lists?

A grocery list can help you live within your means, it can help you begin a healthy, weight loss journey, and if you’re a college student, it can help you save money. See, the market is good at selling you stuff you don’t really need. It’s hard enough to stick to the necessities when everything else that’s new is on display. Without a list, you will shop blindly, and you will end up spending more than what you’re willing to pay for a week’s worth of groceries. 

Did you know that in 2019, as shown by statistics, the average American home spends more than eight thousand dollars a year? And that’s only on food. In an article shared by Forbes, grocery spending was one of the things that dramatically changed due to COVID-19. By March 2020, it grew 30% more than the last data shared by the U.S. Census. 

What Should You Have on Your Grocery List?

Have you seen grownups leave for the grocery stores when you were younger? They make it so quick, they’re back before you finish an episode of your favorite TV show. And they always manage to get everything they needed for that entire week, right? They’re good meal planners, and they swear by their grocery lists. You can try this out for yourself too. Here are the elements you can play around with to make your own grocery list: 

Title: A list without a label will look like something you’d rather set aside or throw away. Even in the digital sense, it would require effort to open an untitled PDF file. But if it says “For Nana & Pop’s 40th Anniversary Dinner,” or “Plant-Based Journey Week 1,” it will encourage you to open the grocery list, carry it with you, and stick to what’s written on it. Date: Writing the time and date is good documentation. It’s a pro-tip most people disregard, but it works. It helps you keep track of what you bought two, three, or four weeks ago. A newbie at keto diet, for example, can look back on the dates and know exactly when they started making their first keto grocery list. Categories: Shopping by category is the fastest way to get your groceries done. This way, you won’t have to walk around as much. Get everything you need at the fresh produce and dry goods section before heading to the frozen products section. It’s efficient this way. Budget: If your limit is writing on your list, it will be harder for you to ignore your budget. It’s better than keeping a mental note since you have no choice but to look at the amount as you shop, and you are more likely to stick with your budget this way. Notes: This is for taking notes of the pricing, promotions, and all other things you want to remember on your next healthy grocery shopping. If you don’t buy from a single store, this section on your list will help you compare brands and the best value for your money.

How to Create a Grocery List

Nowadays, there are fun shortcuts to the seemingly hard stuff. In making grocery lists, templates like the ones shown above can make the process enjoyable. Speaking of the cape, before adding personal badges, you got to start by owning a cape first. And then you can add customizations to it and make it your own. Here’s how:

Step 1: Look for a Template that fits your style

A modern chic look, or the most basic outline, it’s all up to you to decide. There are a number of shopping list templates for you to choose from on this page. They are printable too. So, whether you’re shopping for yourself, for your family, or for a celebration, there’s one that can accommodate the kind of list you want to make.

Step 2: Think of a fun title to write on top 

It shouldn’t feel like documentation of must-buy tasks. Titles make things official. For someone who wants to get in shape at the gym and eat healthily, a title such as “What-To-Eat for Sexy Abs” can be enough to motivate them to only buy foods that are low in calories and high in protein. 

Step 3: Place priorities on the first half of the list

Always put the most important things where you can see them first. Because who knows what you’ll miss. Grocery shopping can be a mundane task, and more often than not, some people do this on autopilot. As you scan through your grocery list, make it effortless for yourself to spot the necessities. 

Step 4: Highlight things you’ll be buying in bulk 

Bulk buying can help you save money. But it can be overlooked when you’re preoccupied and not paying attention. If you’re feeding a family of more than five, if you’re baking for a charity event, or if you’re the pet owner of a Great Dane, a small reminder can never hurt. 

FAQs

What should you never run out of in your pantry?

Easy-to-store and easy-to-eat canned goods such as tuna, beans, and tomatoes. Dried pasta, all-purpose flour, and oil.

How often should you go grocery shopping?

It depends on your personal needs, preference, budget plan, and the kind of diet you have. Another factor to consider is your living situation. If you’re by yourself, you might have the time to run to the supermarket every week or as often as every three days. If you’re shopping for your family, bi-weekly schedules might be more convenient for you.

What are the most common grocery items?

Milk, cereal, eggs, bread, frozen meals, boxed mac and cheese, beer, soda, and chips.

How much do Americans spend on food annually?

According to a report published by Statista in 2019, Americans spend more than 8000 US dollars a year for food alone.

You might not warm up to the idea of carrying around grocery lists. But, try it out first. If you’re big on nutrition, if you’re counting calories, if you want to transition into a new lifestyle, or if you’re someone who simply wants to ease off on the endless to-dos, make a list for your next trip to the grocery store. Even if you shop online, do it old-school and take a chance on it anyway. You might surprise yourself with the outcome.