I’m a Virgo and I just love love love me a list.
Especially a shopping list!
So I’m super excited for todays lesson.
Lets dive in!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN TODAY:
- The benefits of using a list.
- How to use the shopping list
- Remembering ongoing items
The benefits of using a shopping list.
1. Lists streamline the shopping process.
No wondering around the store aimlessly.
You’ll be able to be in and out in a flash.
2. Lists prevent waste.
I’m a terrible over-buyer.
Whenever I shop from a list it really helps me stick to the plan and just buy what I need for the week.
3. Saves money
Because you’re less likely to over-buy or give in to little impulse purchases.
4. Helps you remember!
Which saves time because it means I don’t need to run back to the store to pickup things I’ve forgotten.
How to use the meal plan shopping list.
I love that the meal plan shopping list automatically recalculates what you need after you have edited the meal plan.
You just need to click on the ‘regenerate shopping list’ button so the changes are saved.
You can then edit the shopping list to delete any items you already have.
And add in extras.
I then keep the shopping list page open on a web page on my phone.
But you can print it.
OR use the green link under the shopping list to copy the unique URL for that shopping list which you can then share with someone else (or yourself to access any time)
With the unique URL the person won’t need to logon to see the list.
And they can edit to add in their own items.
And check things off as they shop.
Super fun!
Remembering Ongoing Items
Between meal planning sessions, I recommend keeping an ongoing list as you think of things you need.
Options for this include:
i. An app on your phone.
I use a shopping list app called ‘Out of Milk’ to note things when I think of them.
Then when I do my weekly plan, I either copy these items across to the meal plan shopping list (if there are only a few) OR I shop with both lists in the store.
ii. A notepad.
Old school but still effective! Use this for capturing ongoing items and then add to your meal plan list or shop with both.
iii. Chalkboard / whiteboard.
Can make a nice decorative feature in your kitchen for keeping track of ongoing items as you think of them.
You’ll then either need to copy across to the meal plan list OR take a photo of the board on your phone before you leave the house and shop with 2 lists.
ACTIVITY
STEP 1. Decide which Shopping List system you’d like to experiment with for ongoing items.
STEP 2. During the time you scheduled (from Day 2) use your chosen system.
Tomorrow we’re looking at your pantry.
One of the most important parts of making your meal planning system as easy as possible.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x
PS. BONUS TIP
You can easily move and reorder the shopping list items so they make sense to how you shop.
You can also add in different groups if you need to go to different places for different items.
Lots of fun!
PPS. If you have questions or need help leave a comment below.
I really want to know how you’re finding things!
Hi Jules
The functionality of your meal plan and especially the shopping list and ability to send the url to the shopper (who can also edit) is awesome! You have put a lot of thought and effort into this 🙂
So glad you’re enjoying Kim!
Hi Jules,
I am really enjoying the 7 day Kickstarter and am finding all your tips and advice very helpful.
I have moments where I feel overwhelmed and wonder what I have got myself into. I’ve never been confident in the kitchen but I know that I need to change my habits if I want to feel good about myself and build up confidence in the kitchen. When I feel this way I remember the advice you gave me on Day 1 – ‘start small’ and just choose one meal to cook this week. This is great advice as it’s not a race – it’s all about a change in habits and being confident in planning and cooking healthy meals.
I decided to cook your Easy Almond Pizza on Monday. It is so very yummy ? I can’t believe that it was so easy to make and will definitely be making this again sometime soon. I didn’t have the right sized tin so the base was too thick for my liking but I’ll rectify that before I cook it again. Even my hubby enjoyed it but he agreed that I need to get a bigger tin! Minor issue that is easily fixed. I must say I was pretty chuffed with how it turned out.
I also tried your little chocolate dessert in a mug / ramekin. Super easy to make and super tasty. I actually got a tad creative ?and added in 1 tblsp of desiccated coconut (only put in 1 tblsp cacao) to try and replicate the coconut chocolate that I love to eat. It actually turned out really well.
I too am a list person – couldn’t survive without a list! I am currently using the ‘reminder’ app on my phone for my shopping list so I’ll have to see if I can incorporate your list into mine or vice versa.
I really do love your passion for cooking and eating healthily and am very thankful that you are sharing your skills and passion with people such as me ?.
PS – sorry about this essay – I didn’t intend for my comment to be this long! ?
Jules!
Thanks for the detailed comment – it’s really helpful for me.
I especially love how you’ve coached yourself – this thought ‘I’ve never been confident in the kitchen’ – is an opportunity to change.
Just trust the process and start telling yourself that you are ‘building confidence every day’.
That’s how cooking works – one recipe at a time. Keep doing what you’re doing. You are on the right path.
And keep letting me know how you’re getting on – I’m here to help you 🙂
I always just write down items on paper as I need them. After choosing from the meal plan and then selected the “shopping list” I will definitely be using that as well!
Fantastic Kim!
Dear Jules,
When I began using meal planning, I copied every recipe and am now almost overrun with binders. I would love to work straight from my laptop ( phone print is too small, but I’m actually afraid I’ll forget the recipes I love. Know that I understand how to use the shopping list, I would really love to work-digitally (?). Any suggestions?
Just play around with the latest Simple Meal Plans weekly plan Ellen – and then when you’re comfortable with the digital format start adding to your favourite recipe. And watch the help videos to get an idea of how it all works.
And shout if you need more help with anything specific 🙂
YOu can do it!
I logged in, created my own new collection, added in a weeks worth of recipes and now it’s gone? I don’t know where it went as it was there and I went in and out of the collection a few times 🙁
oh no Sue! That has happened to me – and when I refreshed the page it came back. Try that and let me know how you get on – and if it’s still gone I can ask my tech guy to have a look for us. Hang in there!
No, refresh didn’t work. I had to create it all again. But the second one seems to have stayed there so far!
I like to hand write my shopping lists. I carry a mini notepad in my purse & jot items down as I think of them.I find it pretty handy. It’s totally old school, but I’m old school taught–haha:)
old school is awesome Ruby!
I love being able to adjust quantities and switch out recipes in Simple Meal Plans — and then generate a shopping list. Then I add what’s needed to my shopping list, where I’ve been adding pantry items I’ve run out of during the week.
Right now, I have my shopping list in my TickTick app — I like that you can use it on your desktop, too. I used to use AnyList, which I also liked.
Having a SMP shopping list is life changing for me. I am someone who feels like they wake up in the grocery store and wonder how in the world they’ve been there for an hour and a half! Jules’ lists keep me focused and out of the store quickly. I’ve actually timed myself, using it and not, I’ve got that much of a problem LOL
oh that’s hilarious that you timed yourself Marjorie – brilliant!
I do a weekly plan which sits on the fridge and includes the dinner plan at the bottom of the page. I created a shopping list template on the computer and organised it by the aisles of my supermarket. I plan the week and write the shopping list at the same time (well my 9yo son writes it up for me as “hidden homework”!). Been working well so far!
ooh LOVE that you’re getting your son to help Kate!
Jules,this Aries agrees with you 110% on the importance of a shopping list!! Super excited that your meal plan list incorporates so very well into my working list on the Listronic app.
I used a handwritten (paper) list and plan to continue using this system – it’s easy to use when shopping. I also like using the Stonesoup mobile recipe app so that I can easily find recipes and ingredients.
Glad you’re fining the App helpful Mary!
Thank you for all the information I received once joining. In fact I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment and appreciate your advice to go slowly. I cannot copy and paste the shopping list, I have downloaded the meal plan in acrobat reader which does not allow any editing without paying for a plan which I do not want to do. I would like to be able to add and delete items from the shopping list without having to print it out. I have saved the recipes I want to try for the week onto my favourite recipes and then separately moving shopping items into the “out of milk” app which looks great, but is a bit time consuming. Sorry if I have got a bit wordy here! I love your recipes and looking forward to being a bit more organised with my meal planning.
Sorry if you’re feeling overwhelmed Gillian – it’s the opposite of what we’re trying to do!
You can copy and paste the shopping list from the emails. Or from the website version. And with adobe reader you used to be able to edit doc on the phone app without paying for the upgrade. Are you using it on your phone or computer?
ANd I’ve been wanting to come up with a better shopping list format – thanks for the inspiration to do some more serious investigation 🙂
Keep going slowly
Jx
Thank you for getting back to me Jules. I have ended up going back to what I always used to do. In a small notepad on top of the page I write the name of the recipes I will be making, and on the lower three quarters I write my shopping list. I transfer the recipes into my favourites so they are easy to find. I keep my little notebook in my purse so it is always handy. One good thing about this method is that if I find an ingredient on sale I can look back on previous weeks to find where I used them and check the ingredients to see if I am missing something. I use my laptop at home, but adobe reader does not allow changes without paying for a plan. Two nights ago I made the savoury cheesecake and the zucchini muffins. Served with spinach it made an awesome meal, and it tasted just as good last night. Thank you for your awesome, tasty recipes.
Glad to hear you have a system you’re happy with Gillian!
I had another look at Adobe Reader on my computer – you’re right you can’t ‘edit’ the doc without using the paid version BUT you can add comments. When you are in comment mode you can add text – so if you wanted to add you other items you could. And you can also strike through text to mark off any items you don’t need.
So there is a way around it! But sounds like you don’t need to worry about that.
And yum for savoury cheesecake! I need to make it again soon 🙂
Hello! Im a pen and paper girl. I look thru the ads and make a list for each of the four stores (very near me so it’s no extra trouble), It really does help to have a list.
Excellent Laura!
Hi Jules,
Thank you for the link to the ‘Out of Milk’ app. It’s much more flexible than Google Keep, which is rather cumbersome.
I normally build a shopping list according to the weekly offers from the shops I visit.
I will try reversing the process next time I go to the shops; i.e. plan what to cook, list what to buy, then prepare what to eat, rather than list, buy then decide what to cook…
Hopefully, this will *also* help save some money!
Glad you like the Out of Milk app!
How did you get on with reversing the process?
Jx
I use a paper list that is divided into sections. I go to at least three different places to get most of what I need so sometimes I still miss something but I am improving & I have been working on stream lining our grocery bill all last year and hopefully this is going to help.
Great Heather!
Shopping from a list is the best thing to do to streamline your grocery bill 🙂
I have started buying my groceries on line, so by default I need a plan and a list. My local independent grocer has a great selection of locally sourced produce so I can shop responsibly, and whoever does the vegetable and fruit selection does a fabulous job. Shopping this way also ensures you don’t fall for spur of the moment purchases, so my grocery bill has reduced!
Wow Jo!
You’re very lucky if you’re able to order online AND get beautiful locally sourced produce.
And glad to hear your grocery bill has been reduced. Nice work!
I have a beautiful example of how different methods work. I have an app called Paprika that holds my often-used recipes, has a meal planning function, and grocery list function. Even with that I sometimes forget to put things on my list, but unless plans change I rarely overbuy. I also do my list creation early enough that I have time to mull it over and figure out what’s missing. My husband does really casual meal planning, on paper, and makes up his list at the last minute. He rarely knows how many servings of veggie he needs, and regularly overbuys (as well as forgetting to put crucial items on the list, such as meat…). I am a big fan of detail planning.
Good to know that Paprika works Susan – maybe you need to give your husband your login details for Simple Meal Plans 🙂