More List Confessions

Ok, so maybe I didn't tell the whole story the other day when I told you about my grocery list. In reality, the list I take to the store with me is only the end result of multiple lists. Freakish? Maybe.

I have pre-lists for my grocery shopping. Yeah, I know. But I always forget something - you know, important things like deodorant, toilet paper, or butter (You can't bake chocolate chip cookies without butter. And I would be in serious trouble around here if I have a house full of boys and no cookies.). So I have two pre-lists that I refer to when making my grocery list.

After I make my weekly menu, I write in the things I need in order to make the meals I've planned. Then I try to think of anything I need that I didn't already write down. Some things are hard for me to remember - soap, contact solution, etc. And light bulbs. Who ever remembers you need light bulbs until you're nearly sitting in the dark because the second bulb of your three-bulb fixture just burned out? So I decided I would not let that happen again. At least if I could help it.

I have two "staple" lists. One for groceries, one for household items. I went around the kitchen and house and listed all the stuff I buy on a regular basis or that I need to keep and might forget to put on my list. So, after I have my necessities on the current week's grocery list, I check the staple lists and add anything I know I'm out of or running low on. Sometimes there's simply not room in the budget for some of those items, so it pays to keep a little ahead of the need. These staple lists really help me do that. Two bucks isn't much when you have it, but a lot when you don't.

So yeah, I feel like even more of a nerd with my not one, but three lists that are necessary in order to grocery shop. Maybe I do actually outshine the old man with the list arranged by aisle. But it works. And I haven't run out of deodorant in a very long time. I thought you'd appreciate that. I know I do.