How Do You Manage Your Shopping Lists for Multiple Stores - Not Just Grocery?

I just write it down on a piece of paper. I keep lists running one the front and back of one piece of paper. Groceries on one side. Other stores on the other side. I keep coupons paper clipped to that paper.

I use my iphone now and use the "pad" to keep my lists. I have one list titled "shopping" and I put groceries at the top and other items at the bottom. Anytime I think of something, I stop write then and type it in. Then, when I run out of milk and HAVE to go to the grocery store, I also buy the ketchup and papertowels that I already had in my list.

Good luck!
L.

Two words. Smart phone. For Apple and Droid phones you can download shopping list apps. What's the one thing you don't leave home without. Phone and keys.

First, I don't do a huge run with multiple stores. I have certain things I buy at certain places and that's it... no wasting time running to and fro.

I am at Market Street in Allen almost daily for fresh fruits, etc and I buy 90 % of out total food from them. I love the quality and the prices are good.

I go to Hirsch's Meat Market on the NW side of Parker/Alma about once every 2 months for top quality beef. You get the same steaks there you get at the high end restaurants. Gary knows his market and he is excellent (as is his staff) Don't go into shock if you go... you get what you pay for.. Each steak will run you about $10+ but it is top notch quality. Get on his email list and check out the weekly specials.

Costco for basics and stock up about every 3-4 months.

I keep about 6 months worth of food supply ready to go and at least that much in paper goods, toiletries, etc.

My lists: Simple... I have IPhone 4 and use the notepad. I have a page for Market Street , Hirsch's and Costco and I update accordingly when I notice I need something.

I am blessed with a husband who doesn't mind going to the store on the weekends. And taking the kid with him!

Once a week, we do our two big trips to Trader Joe's and to Fred Meyer. Different days, different shopping trips. We often just buy the same stuff from week to week, plus I have a list of supplies for my own business. As far as managing the errands, the trick we have discovered is to cluster our lists by neighborhood. If I'm going to the library, I know that's the time to stop at the plumbing and lighting store for specialty lightbulbs or the local drugstore or that neighborhood's health food store. Maybe I'll plan to get some special loaf of bread from the bakery close by. We also plan to get a snack when we are out, and this helps for the family considerably. It makes us stop and reconnect with each other, with our son. Then, everyone's recharged, we finish errands in that neighborhood without being hungry. (Or, we pack a good snack if it's a short outing. But we are very considerate of our son's preschool meals schedule, because that's what his body depends on.) Likewise, if there's a park nearby, some days we will know we need a 20 minute playtime at the park for Kiddo before we do any more shopping. For me, this is staying ahead of the game!

Day to day, our local, more expensive grocery store works well for those things you want to buy the day of: fresh fish or fresh bread, or veggies for dinner if the crisper's empty. Fortunately, it's just a short walk away, and I often go when my son has child care.

We keep one piece of paper on the refrigerator. It is on a clip so we can attach coupons, etc. There is a pen in the cabinet next to the fridge. The paper is divided into "Kroger" "Costco" and "Home Depot" lists. We write in what we need as we run out. If we have a coupon, we put a "c" in a circle next to the item. At the bottom of the paper is a plan for what we're having for dinner that week, so we can glance at it and make sure we have everything for the meals. When we go to the store, we just have to make sure we don't forget the list and coupons!
We also have a calender on the fridge. We write in appointments, social engagements, and other "places to be" on there.

I have a 2 step process. First I make a list of every item I need to buy, grocery items and non-grocery items. Then I divide the list by stores. I write the name of each store (the grocery store, dollar store, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) and then list the items I need under each store.

I have a list on my fridge that we add things to as we run out of items, are low on something, or whatever. If I'm running to the store I grab the list on the way out the door, so if I'm at a store that has things on the list I can get them.

the iPhone comes with an electronic notepad. That's what I use.

I try to make a list of the things we need, and make a note of how urgent the need is. We keep a dry-erase board on the fridge with 3 columns (or more), usually, "groceries", "projects" & "bulk" (for when we are planning our next try to GFS or Costco.

For example, I needed gardening supplies, but the garden store is on the other part of town. I had to go past that place on my way elsewhere, so I blocked out time to stop.

The other thing I've found is that often I can just procrastinate on something--most things (at least in our lives) are dire needs, so putting them off for a week or two or three, till I'm near the area, works well and saves gas.

If I have to do a lot of running, I actually will look at the locations on a map (either a paper map or maps.google.com) and see what routes are best/fastest.

My list usually has one side for groceries and one side for Walmart or whatever else. If it's all on the same paper it's more handy.

I keep a cheap, spiral notebook on my desk at all times.

I put everything into....and then make one master plan from it.

I know my community shops and stores and run my errands in sections.

For me going to Costco also means, getting gas, going to the Pet Store and the Sports store if there items I need there.

Going to the bank, also means, going to the library, and driving by the pharmacy or now Wal-Mart and the local mall and my favorite Korean meat market and Asian store and there's a fab bakery there too.

I will actually create 1 huge list. I generally go to 3 or so different stores, usually Jewel, Target & Walmart. So, when I make my list, I will put the first letter of the store I want that item from next to that item listed. Does that make sense?? So, I usually buy my milk from target, so I will write T in the margin, and milk next to it. I get my catfood from Walmart, so I put W in the margin, and next to it is catfood, and so forth. That way I will mark off as I but the things, and then move on to the next store. AND...if I know that something is on sale from looking at the ad, I'll include the price next to that item on my list. That way if it's on sale at jewel for $2.99, and I go to target & see that its only $2.29 I will get it from there & that is money saved!!
Hope this helped!

My smart phone has all my lists on it. Many apps actually can be synced with other smartphones so hubby can add and I just get it on my lists.

I used to make several lists and combine them into one by how far out the store would be and work back toward home. I would even number them 1 thru 10 if needed and check them off as I completed my purchase.

Once you get use to it, it is easy to do. That way you have all the things you need in one trip. It may take several more hours but you do have everything needed. Also if it wasn't on the list it did not get bought.

The other S.

I second the Grocery IQ app on the smartphones. It is synced with my husband's so anything I put on my list...it appears on his too and vice versa. And you can make multiple lists and its easy to add and "cross off" items. Keeps me organized so I don't forget anything and don't have to deal with a pen and paper while shopping or worry about forgetting my list because my phone goes everywhere with me. My husband who never really did the grocery shopping now doesn't mind going for me ever since we got this app! LOVE IT!

Totally agree with the Grocery IQ app if you have an iPhone! You can have lists for multiple stores. The app maintains your list forever. When you run out of something, you tap on it in the app and it adds to the list of stuff to buy. I like that you can also tap it again as you are going through the store and it adds the item to your "cart" so at the end of the shopping trip, you can see if you forgot anything.

*I group errands together as they are close to each other:
bank/gas
grocery store/cleaners/Wal-Mart
*I keep a notepad w/one store listed on each page
then I list what I need to get at that store
*Costco once every 2 weeks
*Keep notepad w/you in your purse at all times so you can add things and have it handy when you are in the car
*Try to buy birthday gifts ahead of time when you see something that would be a good gift for so-and-so

Delegate and have everything you can delivered to your door

I made 4 master lists on my computer and post them on the fridge:
Groceries (Safeway and Whole Foods)
Costco
Trader Joes
Household Supplies (Target and Walmart)

I used Excel and listed the most common items we get at each store. plus room at the bottom for write-ins.
My kids check things off the lists as we run out.
Before running errands, I check the lists, grab the ones I need and usually write on the back of one, all the stops I need to make on that trip.

I always have a list going of what we need. I keep it on my desk in the living room. The family knows to write down what we need or to let me know.

I go to the grocery store, Target, Costco and sometimes the bakery, so my family knows to specify a store if they want something from a specific store.

Also I announce to household, "I am going to the store tomorrow, is there anything we need?" And again the next day, "I am going to the store today, let me call out what is on the list, let me know if I forgot anything.."

It still does not matter, I still forget sometimes to take the dang list!

Also at the store I scratch off what I place in the basket as I go along, so I can glance at the list.

I also have a small notebook in my purse so I can write down prices, ideas lists that come to mind throughout the day.. Meal ideas, Music, Names of books, Items I see at the store for the future, Gift ideas for birthdays, Christmas, products for clients....

I have a small accordion file in my purse for discount cards, membership cards, gift cards, coupons.. so I can pull it out and see what I can use to get a discount also..

I keep a sticky pad in the kitchen and I write down whatever we are out of immediately on the list, or when hubby says "I'm almost out of ____". I have "regular" stores that I buy things from (Milk from Publix, dog food from Target, etc)... so when I am going "into town" I grab the list and stick it in my coupon wallet. That way, if I run into Target to get the dogfood, and notice that their Zone bars are on sale, I can pick them up as well, and save myself a trip to Walmart. If I don't end up going into any stores, then the list is still in my wallet for the next time I happen to be at the store.
If I only buy 3 items from a 7 item list, then I copy the remaining 4 items onto a new sheet and continue adding to that one, until I plan to be near a store again.

I draw dividing lines between the stores sometimes. Not with grocery items, b/c I can pretty much look and just KNOW which ones I want to get where. But if I need A/C filters (or something I should go to Home Depot or Lowe's for) I draw a line underneath my "grocery" items and put: Lowe's- A/C filters. If I also need contacts, I'll draw another line and put: Sears- contacts. And so on...

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Lots of lists. I try my best to combine all of my trips into one trip even if it means being out all day.

I list it on one sheet by store so I know what to get where, and should I end up near one of those other stores it's handy.

I use Grocery IQ on my iPhone. It was a free app, and it does the trick! You can even use your phone to scan the bar code of an item (for instance, before you throw out the old package, just scan its bar code, and it magically appears on your grocery list, which is sorted by aisle - dairy, frozen foods, etc.) If you like, you can create lists for different stores. If you want to buy your laundry detergent at Walmart, but your milk at Trader Joe's, you can just set up lists for several stores. Likewise, I create lists in the app for to-do (drop off dry cleaning, go to the post office, whatever). AND there is a feature where you can e-mail your list. Hubby driving right by the grocery store on his way home? Email your list and make him take care of the shopping. Love that! :)

Smartphone, there is always a app for that.

Get one big sheet of paper and hang it on the fridge as your 'list' but with a thick colored marker, mark of quadrants. IE: on one 8.5x11 sheet of paper, half of that is the grocery list, 1/8 of the sheet is for Costco, 1/8 of the sheet is for Walmart, 1/8 of the sheet is for a "to do" list - library, Target, Khols, drycleaning, and the last 1/8 of the sheet is for whatever else you need. Every time you leave the house, bring that list with you. Put it back on the fridge when you get home. I will replace my list with a fresh (clean) one each week.