A few weeks ago, I had to write a speech for one of my classes answering the age old party question, “If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?”
When I asked my family, it was unanimous.
Anal.
Not kind. Or thoughtful. Or beautiful. No…I got anal. Nice!
I was reflecting on this when I wrote my piece a few weeks ago about 5 money saving tips at the grocery store. Tip number 4 was make a list before you head out to the grocery store. Sounds simple enough. But for someone who might not be quite as A-type as myself, that can be a daunting task.
I found if I waited to make my list until right before I went to the store, I always forgot something. The solution was to make a pre-printed list to attach to the side of the fridge. Then when we started running low on something, or ran out completely, we could check the items we needed. On grocery day, I could take down the list, check the main items on the list in case we missed something, and off I went.
This list helped in two big ways. One, it saved me the time I would spend going back for the forgotten item, and two it saved me the extra money I would spend on that extra trip to the store (I completely lack will power when standing in line – see here for full disclosure).
To make my master list, I downloaded this template from Microsoft Office. I customized it by adding the items we routinely used, like Diet Coke for my husband, and deleted items we don’t use. Finally, I added bullets so that I could use little check marks for the items I needed. Done.
If this particular format isn’t your cup of tea, check out the Microsoft website, and in the block where it says search templates – type in the name of what you are looking for, like grocery list. They’ve even got chore charts, daily and weekly planners, calendars, etc.
A list like this will help you focus your attention when at the grocery store. It will save purchasing unnecessary items (or unneeded items), and prevent that extra trip for the item you forgot.
Thanks to the Rush Limbaugh wannabees this viewpoint is occasionally taken for granted.
I’m excessively impressed with the way you write and also with the design on your website. Is this a paid theme or did you create it yourself? Either way keep up the great quality writing, it’s rare to see a good blog like this one today..
Hey Tanya,
Thank you! I do pay for the domain name and hosting, but the “theme” or the layout is a generic layout in WordPress – with the colors, and picture already chosen. WordPress is a little different than blogger with the way you can customize. Everything is written in code, and I haven’t figured out all that yet.