How to make a grocery list QUICKLY!

Learn how to make a grocery list quickly and efficiently so you can save yourself time and money at the grocery store! This method will take less than 15 minutes!

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It’s Monday morning after a great weekend with your family and you open the fridge, only to find the milk jug is practically empty. You aren’t even finished breakfast and realize that you will have to get creative in order to get through the day with the groceries you have on hand.

Has this ever been you?

{my hand is raised too!}

Grocery shopping is not typically my idea of fun, mostly because I’m usually trying to get it done quickly and with a strict grocery budget.

During my couponing days, I loved reviewing the weekly sales flyers to plan my meals. I got giddy when I could match up the deals with some awesome coupons and save even more!

Man, I miss those days sometimes! It is possible to score some great deals if you have some time to spend on it.

As we added kids to our family, I had to simplify our process. As much as I loved shopping at multiple stores and scouring the internet for grocery deals, I just didn’t have the bandwidth anymore.

Thankfully, Aldi moved into town and that helped a lot. In addition, I’ve found a quick and easy system that works! I’ve been able to keep our grocery budget fairly low with minimal time and effort each week, just by making a grocery list.

If grocery shopping stresses you out, then keep reading. I’ve got you covered, friend!

How to make a grocery list QUICKLY!

1. Grab a sheet of paper or pull out your phone

I am a pen and paper gal when it comes to grocery lists. I used Wunderlist in the past, but I resorted back to paper. (Make sure you read until the end if you enjoy cute grocery lists!)

If you swear by apps instead, then pull out your phone!

Regardless of your specific method, make your list somewhere other than your head. If you are like me, you know that your brain is not always reliable when it comes to grocery shopping! 😊

2. Take a quick inventory of your pantry & fridge/freezer

This inventory will serve you in two ways. First, make note of those pantry and fridge/freezer staple items that you are running low on and will need to replenish. I find that a quick glance is all it really takes, although some families may benefit from keeping a running list of items as they run out. That’s a great idea if that works for you.

Secondly, this inventory allows you to see what you have to use for the upcoming week’s meals. Which brings us to….

3. Make a simple menu for the week

I like to write my menu plan down at the top of my paper or printable. Aside from the staple items that will need to be replenished, my grocery list will be based largely off my menu for the week.

I only plan out my dinner meals in detail and then purchase other breakfast and lunch items that I know we eat. Feel free to get as specific as you would like. Do whatever works best for you!

As for the menu itself, I keep this very simple. I create simple meals based on what I already have on hand. (Ex: Mexican-themed dish, sheet pan dinner, pasta dish, frittata, etc.) I usually serve most entrees with frozen or canned veggies and some fruit or bread, so even my sides are very simple.

You can get fancy or try new recipes when you have more time on your hands to experiment. I like to try a new recipe every week or so, if possible.

4. Write down the items you need to purchase based on the menu

Once my menu plan is finished, I jot down all the items I’ll need to purchase for those meals. I like having my menu and shopping list all in one place when I’m out shopping, so I remember why I’m buying certain items. Again, anything to help my brain is ideal! 😊

5. Add any other items needed for snacks, lunches, or breakfast

If you haven’t included your lunches or breakfasts in your menu plan, then you’ll need to add those items now. The same goes for snacks. You know what your family typically eats, so this shouldn’t take too long.

6. Check household items

Take a quick glance at your household items to see if you need to purchase any of those. It’s not fun running out of things like toilet paper or hand soap in the middle of the week! I like to keep those items in a separate column on my grocery list, but I’m just picky like that! 😉

Well, there you have it! That wasn’t too bad, was it? You should have your list ready to go and be out the door in no time. And with a good grocery list in hand, I guarantee your grocery budget will also thank you!

If you need some extra inspiration to start making your grocery list with pen and paper, then check out this grocery list printable!