This post describes how to use the Grocery List Printable Template I created to make your life that much easier and grocery shopping stress-free. Stay organized, stay on budget, minimize waste, and simplify the next time you go grocery shopping.
Want to try out a page from the Grocery List Printable Template for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
The full product description for the Grocery List Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
Due to my Depression, my memory isn’t great.
Because of this, I’ve been trying to come up with different strategies for a few different tasks in my everyday life.
Remembering things throughout my day can be challenging. Not to mention, if I don’t have a list with me at the grocery store to aid in my grocery shopping, I struggle to remember everything I need. Plus, it can be frustrating and trigger my anxiety.
That’s how creating this grocery list came to fruition.
I wanted to take the stress, anxiety, and frustration out of grocery shopping. Anywhere I can do that and relieve some of the “pressure” off my brain so it can use its energy towards other tasks, really makes a positive impact on my life, and my mental health.
Looking for another great tool for Meal Planning? Try this
Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template!
The full product description for the Weekly Meal Planner Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
A Simple Weekly Meal Plan to Keep You Organized
Recipe Inspiration For Your Meal Plan and Grocery List!
Start your grocery list and meal plan off right with these simple and delicious recipes!
- 30-Minute Lettuce Wraps
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- Taco Bell-Inspired Quesadilla with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
- Irresistible Yellow Curry That is Delicious and Easy to Make
- Easy and Flavorful Chicken Tacos
- Insanely Good Pork Nachos
- Simple and Delicious Slider Sandwiches
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier
The 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use
Why I Organized The Grocery List Printable Template The Way That I Did:
Now I will share all the features of the Grocery List Printable Template I created and is available on Etsy. Instantly download and print! Use it as early as this week!
Please note, the full product description for the Grocery List Printable Template is available on the Etsy listing. Click on the links provided for more information!
One-Page Option vs. 2-Page Option
First and foremost, I made sure that there was a one-page option and an expanded 2-page option.
Depending on your preference, using a one page grocery list has everything all in one place. Plus, if you’re doing a smaller grocery haul, you don’t necessarily need to print off a huge grocery list to use.
For the expanded 2-page option, I have expanded each section so that there is plenty of space to fill in whatever item you need in each category. Having that space is helpful during a larger grocery haul.
Additionally, for those who are sensitive to stimulation, having everything on one page can be visually overstimulating. So, the 2-page option can help with that, as well.
Want to try out a page from the Grocery List Printable Template for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
Broke it Down into 15 Categories
There are a few reasons for organizing this Grocery List Printable Template into 15 categories.
- Nothing gets lost or forgotten as compared to one long random uncategorized list.
- As mentioned, my memory isn’t always the greatest. So, being able to go through each category helps to trigger things we may need when I am making the grocery list.
- These categories and layout are broken down into the different “sections” of the grocery store. For one, it helps me visualize the different sections of the store, which can help trigger things we may need from the grocery store, as well.
- Also, when I’m at the store, I can stop in each section, reference the categories of my list that correspond with that section, and grab anything I need.
This not only helped me make sure I don’t forget anything while I’m still at the grocery store.
It also prevents me from having to go back and forth multiple times in the grocery store because I inevitably forget something on my one large random list. Does anyone else get annoyed by that as much as I do?
“Meals” Section:
For the Meals section, I included that to write down the meals that you want to make from that grocery haul. This particularly helped me stay organized and on budget, as well as make it so I didn’t have to rely on my memory.
Firstly, this guarantees I don’t forget anything for that meal. When I can reference the meals I want to make, I can double check I have everything for that meal making my meal planning successful.
Second, this prevents me from “panic purchasing” at the grocery store, to make sure we have meals to eat and end up forgetting ingredients, or double buying something I already had but forgot.
“Don’t Forget!” Section:
Unsurprisingly, this section is for those items that you do not want to forget at the grocery store.
This can be anything random that’s not on your usual repertoire, or something random such as a kitchen gadget, work event, school project, house project, office supplies, etc.
I know my brain pretty well, so I can usually guess when there’s a random item or ingredient that I know I’ll forget if it’s not somewhere obvious. Or, it’s something I don’t particularly eat all the time so it won’t even register in my brain to get.
For example, pickles. My boyfriend loves them, but I don’t like them so I always forget to grab some when I’m at the store.
“Non-Food Items” Section:
Again, unsurprisingly, this section of the Grocery List Printable Template is for any non-food items you may need.
With meal planning and being focused on the food items when at the grocery store, it’s easy for the other non-food items to fall by the wayside. This helps my forgetful brain shift into the correct mode, so to speak.
Having this section towards the top is intentional. Particularly when you’re getting these non-food items at the grocery store, it’s usually a random but important staple item. Such as prescriptions, toothpaste, paper towel, shampoo, tweezers, etc.
“Pantry” Section:
Lastly, the pantry has a separate category, broken up into smaller categories.
Pantry is too broad of a category when making a grocery list. Breaking it down into individual categories helps to remember the different aspects of items you may need from the pantry. For example, canned goods, snacks, baking & spices, etc.
With my neurodivergent brain, differentiating the pantry from the refrigerated items reduces the anxiety and stress of making a grocery list. Having everything in one can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, whereas breaking it up into smaller parts makes the grocery list more doable and attainable. Plus, it helps me remember items better, as mentioned before.
12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier
The 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use
3 Color Options
The one-page and two-page options are both available in all 3 colors. Including black and white, peach and light pink, and teal and light teal.
Want to try out a page from the Grocery List Printable Template for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
4 Budget-Friendly Journal Supplies That Will Make You Want to Journal
The Ultimate List of Amazon At-Home Self-Care Essentials
A Simple Weekly Meal Plan to Keep You Organized
How to Make the Perfect Grocery List Using the Grocery List Printable Template
Keep it On the Fridge:
First and foremost, keep the printed Grocery List Printable Template on the fridge, or somewhere easily accessible so that you can immediately add something to the list as soon as you realize you need something.
Unfortunately, I know that I can not rely on my brain to remember whatever I may need at a later time, so I write it down as soon as it pops in my head.
Additionally, if you’re not close to the list when you think of something, you could also keep a note on your phone to jot it down real quick and then add it to your Grocery List Printable Template at a later time.
Check Your Meal Plan:
Next, check the meal plan that you created. First, add those meals to the “Meals” section at the top of the Grocery List Printable Template.
Then, go through each meal, check the ingredients, and take note of anything you need for that meal. Repeat with the remaining meals.
Also, take note of any “Staple Meals” you like having on hand when you need to throw something together and add any of those ingredients. This also includes any frozen or pre-made meals you want on hand.
Look through the Fridge and Pantry:
Next, look through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and add anything you need to your Grocery List Printable Template. This can be done when you’re also taking note of what you need for your planned meals.
Whenever possible, go through each section and drawer of the fridge and freezer and the different sections of your pantry.
Firstly, this will be a visual reminder of whatever you will need to get. Looking at the actual space in which those items live can help trigger your brain into remembering what you need.
Moreover, it can help you keep tabs on what you already have in your kitchen. I’m the type of shopper to go, “Oh I’ll just grab another just in case,” and then end up with 5 bottles of buffalo wing sauce, for example. This will help you save money, stay on budget, and minimize waste when you know what you already have.
Want to try out a page from the Grocery List Printable Template for FREE? It’s available at the bottom of this post!
Take Note of Anything Else You Need for Your Home:
You can add these items to your list as they come up. It can be helpful to take a look at your office or office supplies, medicine cabinet, bathroom, paper goods, school supplies, pet supplies, baby supplies, and everything else in between to see if there’s anything else you need.
Similarly, it can help you keep tabs on what you already have in your household so that you don’t overbuy something you already have and prevent the stress of having to store or go through and donate a million dry-erase markers, for example. This will help you save money, stay on budget, and minimize waste.
4 Budget-Friendly Journal Supplies That Will Make You Want to Journal
The Ultimate List of Amazon At-Home Self-Care Essentials
12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier
The 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use
And there you have it, The Greatest Grocery List to Keep You Organized and On Budget
I hope this Grocery List Printable Template makes your life that much easier. I want to provide you with any tool to help you stay organized, stay on budget, minimize waste, and make grocery shopping as stress-free as possible.
Do you have any tips or tricks for making a grocery list? Or, do you have any tips and tricks at the grocery store to make shopping easier? I’d love to hear all about it!
Related Posts:
A Simple Weekly Meal Plan to Keep You Organized
12 Must-Have Kitchen Essentials That Will Make Your Life That Much Easier
The 7 Best Low-Cost Swaps to Create Less Waste That You’ll Actually Use
The Ultimate List of Amazon At-Home Self-Care Essentials
4 Budget-Friendly Journal Supplies That Will Make You Want to Journal