How to Write a Weekly Grocery List: Eat What You Love and Stay on Budget
Writing a weekly grocery list may seem like a simple task, but doing it effectively can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. I know this because I’ve been there—budgeting for groceries when I was married and feeding an additional adult on a tight budget was no small feat. With the right strategy, though, I learned how to shop smarter and make meals that everyone wanted to eat without breaking the bank.
Here’s how to create a grocery list that ensures you’ll always have food you love while sticking to your budget.
Step 1: Start with a Fridge and Pantry Inventory
Before you even think about what you’ll need to buy, take a look at what you already have. This step is crucial for avoiding duplicate purchases and ensuring you’re using what you’ve got before it expires. Refer to my previous post, Stock Your Kitchen Like a Pro: Pantry Staples for Everyday Cooking, for a comprehensive guide to pantry essentials that will help you build a solid foundation.
Make a quick list of:
Items you have plenty of
Items that are running low
Items that are completely out
This inventory helps you identify gaps and prevents waste, setting you up for success before you even start shopping.
Step 2: Identify Your Weekly and Bi-Weekly Buys
The next step is to figure out which items you need to buy every week and which can be purchased every two weeks or less. Breaking your grocery needs into these categories can make budgeting much easier. When you know what’s on your regular rotation, you can start to gauge prices and take advantage of deals and sales.
Weekly Items:
Milk, eggs, bread
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Meats and seafood for immediate meals
Snacks for the week (e.g., granola bars, yogurt, chips)
Lunchbox essentials (e.g., deli meat, sandwich bread)
Bi-Weekly Items:
Cleaning products
Toilet paper and paper towels
Laundry detergent (though I’m planning to make my own starting in 2025—stay tuned for that post!)
Pantry staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods
Frozen fruits and vegetables
By organizing your list this way, you can keep track of what you’ll need to replenish and plan your budget more effectively.
Step 3: Check Weekly Circulars and Promotions
Before finalizing your list, take a moment to check the weekly circulars from your chosen stores. This is where you’ll find sales, promotions, and digital coupons that can stretch your budget even further.
Here’s the thing—I used to be deep in the coupon game. Back in 2019 and 2020, I was buying multiple newspaper circulars, clipping coupons like it was my job, and staying on top of the latest deals. I even subscribed to newsletters and followed all the couponing lingo. Trust me, it’s a whole world! While I’ve stepped away from that level of intensity, the lessons I learned still help me save money every week.
Take this time to:
Look for deals on your weekly essentials
Clip digital coupons for added savings
Note any buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers or other promotions
This step helps you align your list with current sales, ensuring you’re getting the most for your money.
Step 4: Plan Your Meals and Add Additional Items
Once you’ve checked your inventory and reviewed the sales, it’s time to plan your meals. I like to write out breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week and work backwards to create my list. For example:
If I know I want chicken pesto pasta for dinner one night, I’ll list the ingredients: chicken, pesto, and noodles. Since pesto and noodles are on my pantry staples list, there’s a good chance I already have them. That means the only items I need to buy are chicken, cheese, and maybe a side salad.
Buying a bagged salad? Great—I’ll factor that in to cover two of my lunches that week.
Cross-utilizing ingredients like this ensures nothing goes to waste and keeps your budget in check. Plus, planning meals ahead of time makes cooking less stressful and more enjoyable.
Step 5: Consider Online Grocery Ordering
Starting in 2025, I’ve committed to doing my weekly grocery shopping exclusively through online grocery pickup. Why? Because as much as I love strolling through the grocery aisles, I’ve learned that I can’t always trust myself to stick to the list—and my budget! (If you’ve ever tossed an extra bag of chips or fancy cheese into your cart, you know what I mean.)
Tips for Online Grocery Success:
Choose Your Stores: I’ve decided on two—Walmart for household items and Ingles for traditional groceries like meats and veggies.
Pick a Shopping Day: I’ll be shopping every Sunday but start composing my list on Wednesday or Thursday.
Reserve Your Time Slot Early: Especially on weekends, grocery pickup slots can fill up fast. Plan ahead to secure your spot.
Using online grocery ordering not only keeps you focused but also helps you stick to your budget and avoid impulse buys.
Step 6: Build Your Grocery List and Start Shopping
Now comes the fun part—building your list! My weekly budget is $150 for me and my child, which includes food and household items. Here’s how I approach the process:
Start with Weekly Essentials: Add your must-have items to the list first. This ensures you’ve covered the basics.
Assess Your Budget: See how much money is left after accounting for weekly staples.
Add Additional Items: Use the remaining budget for other needs or indulgences, like ingredients for a new recipe or a special treat.
Why This Method Works
By following this system, you’ll not only save money but also ensure you always have meals you want to eat. Plus, it’s flexible enough to adapt to your household’s unique needs. Whether you’re feeding a family or shopping for one, this technique makes grocery shopping a breeze.
What’s your favorite tip for staying on budget? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out my upcoming post on making your own laundry detergent in 2025!
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