My mum is a grocery list maker. At our local supermarket they had a map of where everything was and she made her list according to the map so if she doesn't need to go down that aisle she doesn't. I make a list, leave it on my desk or on the bench and end up going to the supermarket 5 times in a week and I cannot leave without buying something bad for me.

It might sound anal, but it's good to write your list in order of how you go through the supermarket so you don't find that you have to backtrack past the ice cream, the bakery, etc.

I'm also a big fan of planning your meals and buying only what you need for them, with the exception of allowing yourself one treat item. (If you make yourself choose something you don't end up putting a whole lot of crap in the trolley.) Also don't go to the supermarket if you're hungry or in a really bad mood because you'll say things like 'f*** the list, I want these biscuits' and before you know it you'll have a full trolley but none of the items you went for ;-)

I really like making lists especially because I'm trying really hard at the moment to have a firm grip on my purse strings. Likewise, with a list I feel a sense of security knowing I probably won't buy anything extra, not to mention a super speedy visit to the supermarket! Easy.

We write lists, and try to stick to them, but the bf is a junk food junkie, and adds stuff to the list like 'chips', 'Coke' and worst of all, 'stuff'! Generic terms that allow him to add whatever cr*p he likes to the trolley, because after all, 'It's on the list!'. Talk about defeating the purpose...

Usually I can rein him in somewhat, but addiction is a terrible thing. :(

No wonder he enjoys grocery shopping so much.

I have always shopped with a list- something my mum taught me! However, I've recently started buying my groceries online...and I love it! You pay extra for delivery of course, but it is SO much easier to avoid temptations. For starters, all of supermarkets' well-honed psychological persuasion is useless because you don't actually browse any aisles! On top of that, I HATE supermarkets, they cause extreme rage in me, hate the psychological manipulation to spend more,the bad lighting and music, surly staff, screaming children, old biddies who shouldn't drive a trolley let alone a car...GARGH!

However a list is still essential with online shopping- perhaps even more so than with shopping in person. There's little chance you'll walk past an aisle and see the cereal and remember you need some but forgot to put it on the list.

The other thing that must go with a list, however, is a budget. All the lists in the world won't help if you don't care how much you spend! Good post though,

Sheer lack of disposable income made me change! I have a printed shopping list, laid out according to Pak n Save's aisle plan, and it has all the usual stuff I buy, with blank spaces for extras. At the bottom of the page is a 7-day meal planner, I tend to only really plan dinners, as breakfast is always the same stuff and lunches are pretty much last night's leftovers. So I print the list on Saturday morning, sit down and have fun (important, otherwise it's a chore!) thinking about what to cook, including several crockpot meals for the days I work, and figure out what I need (meat, veg, rice, sauces etc) for those meals. Tick them off on the list above, then go through the list and fill in all the other things (biscuits, yoghurt, eggs... you know!). After I've done the shop, I cut off the planner and put it on the fridge, so I know what to defrost, what to put in the crockpot the night before....

Sounds very organised, doesn't always work, but it's taken most of a year to get right and I pretty much always come in on our preset budget.

Sticking to it... can't afford not to, but I do make sure everyone gets a $2 treat each week and chippies. Don't cut out all the treats, you'll just splurge next time (or during the week).

No I don't bother with brand names now, I know what I like and I'll bend down to get it if I have to!

Temptations? End of aisle specials... haul out a calculator and figure if it really is a bargain. If it is, and you WOULD normally buy it, then go for it. Otherwise, check your list and see how much you've spent so far (love Pak n Save's selfscanners!) and make a conscious decision if you really need it.

It feels really good to walk out of the shop knowing I haven't overspent and I have enough food for the family for the week - no retail regret!

Happy to pass my list onto anyone who'd like it... just ask, ok?

For the record. I LOVE grocery shoppping and since I love to cook I always plan a couple of meals a week so need to make a list. I used to make a list with the order of the supermarket so I didnt forget anything but I have gotten more geekier now and have compiled a spreadsheet with everything we usually buy/use and go through and tick that off BUT I so actually always forget stuff,. Dont ask me how.

We have a spreadsheet with all the things we regularly buy, and their minimum and maximum price and its in the order of the aisles at PaknSave. So, to make the list, check the cupboards, fridge, freezer etc (helps if you have one person reading off the list and the other checking), enter in the appropriate number, then run the macro to hide everything not required, print and go! That way you have an idea of the expected bill at the end, also if its a 'cheap' shop, you can buy some extras or go for the multi-buy deal to stock up. And you know if something is really on special or they just took 4 cents off and put a 'special' sticker on it!

As for surviving the marketing temptations, it helps to not go down the chocolate or biscuit aisles, and to check the regular price on the 'special' items. I tend to find PaknSave pretty good about product placement -often the pams stuff is prominent and the budget stuff just underneath.

I comando shop , no pfaffing about. I plan my menus and write a list, but like you I sometimes for get the list! If I am not asked to put something on the list it doesn't get bought - like shaving stuff for husband - and you go without for a week. I also use the calculator on my phone to work out best deal - surprisingly the smallest packet of Milo has been chaeper then the big packs. There are only a few brands I buy - otherwise it is a price driven decision.

Tip on chicken - learn how to cut up whole chicken, way cheaper then buying breast meet and thighs/egs seperately.

I love making a list that will allow me to circumnavigate the store without going down any aisles. Fruit and vege, Meat, Milk and dairy then bread. Yes I do occasionally have to venture down the aisles for sauces, cereal etc but that's only about once a month.