Save and stay organized at the grocery store

Using a grocery list is a simple but effective way to help you save money and stay healthy.

If you are one of those people who doesn’t like going to the grocery store (like me), there may be a solution to make your trip easier, quicker and more efficient. It may even save you some money as well. Sometimes tackling the grocery store can be a chore, especially if you don’t know what you want. You may end up with a cart full of things that you don’t need and a dent in your wallet that you hadn’t planned on. Shopping with a grocery list is a simple and effective solution to make sure that you are getting the most out of the time you spend in the grocery store.

Benefits of shopping with a list

Shopping with a grocery list may not seem like it will make much of a difference. But, it does. Whether you shop on a weekly basis or a monthly basis, knowing what you want is the key to being able to save money and time. Besides saving money and time, shopping with a list can help keep you on track with healthy eating as well as meal planning and preparation.

Below are some easy tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov for making a grocery list include:

  • Use your list of weekly meals to create a list of foods and beverages you will need to buy. Don’t forget to include foods like fruit, vegetables and milk that might not be part of a recipe but are basics for healthy eating.
  • You can write your list on scratch paper, enter it into a computer or a free smartphone app.
  • Keep an ongoing grocery list in your kitchen, computer or smartphone app and add items as you run out.
  • Try organizing your list to make shopping quick and easy.

Making a grocery list to bring with you while shopping may seem too simple to work but lists can keep you organized and on task with your menu. By only purchasing the things that you plan to eat, you can avoid putting unhealthy food choices in your cart, such as packaged and processed foods and candy, which will not only add to the calories you consume but rack up the price at the register as well.

For a free grocery list template visit Create a Grocery Game Plan: Grocery List or visit www.choosemyplate.gov. Temporary food assistance for eligible low-income families and individuals is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Use MI Bridges to apply for assistance, check your eligibility status and manage your account online. For questions about the Food Assistance Program, call 855-275-6424.

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