Grocery Organization

Last week I went on my big shopping day, which made me think some of you might like to see my grocery system. Yes, I am a big nerd who has an organized way of shopping for groceries. Go ahead and make fun, but the system works!! First, I have a grocery list typed up (similar to this one) that I have posted on my fridge at all times. When I use the last of something, I just highlight it on the list. I also have a section for write-ins...items that you randomly need that week, like artichokes or edamame or something. (Yeah right, like my husband would eat anything with the aforementioned ingredients!!! Strictly meat and potatoes, my man.) There is also a section for the meal plan for the week, or two weeks, since that's how often I do my main shopping trip. That way I know what meals I am planning on making and can make sure I have the ingredients written down on my list. Lastly, I have a small section for meals for other and/or parties. I was always forgetting to write down ingredients for something I needed to bring somewhere, so now I have a section that reminds me to look at my calendar and see if I have any event coming up that I need to bring food to. My list is organized by aisles at my local Wal-Mart, so that way I don't miss anything. When I get done shopping, I save the list and fold it up so the meal plans are showing and stick it on the fridge...that way I can look and see what my options are the day before and lay out meat to thaw or ask my husband what he'd like for dinner the next night.

Using this method is great b/c I rarely forget to write anything down, I rarely miss anything at the store and have to backtrack, and I know what's on the menu for that week at a glance. And just in case anyone wants to know, I didn't come up with this idea. I stole it from someone else. :) Use the list I linked to or type up your own and customize it to suit your needs. Maybe there are other grocery nerds out there like me who will like the system. And happy grocery shopping!!