I want to talk about a topic that can make or break your meal planning efforts: your shopping lists.

I know that sounds a little dramatic, but consider this scenario that is all too familiar to many mums: You plan out what your family will eat for the next few days or week. You make a seemingly exhaustive list of what you’ll need to buy, and you don’t leave the store until you’ve checked off every item on it.

Fast-forward to two days later, when you’re getting ready to make that chicken curry you had scheduled for Wednesday only to realise that you’re missing an important ingredient. And, of course, it’s not something you might get away with omitting, like that spice you only needed a pinch of – it’s the chicken itself you somehow forgot to buy.

Yep. We’ve all been there.

In short, having a shopping list is pretty useful, but if you haven’t actually put everything you need on it, it could all still end in a last-minute scramble back to the store. This is where using the right type of list can make all the difference.

Here’s a look at the benefits of paper and digital lists to help you decide which approach will be more successful for your style of planning.

The positives of paper lists

One survey of shoppers found that 63 percent use the old-fashioned paper list for their purchases. Why is this method still so popular in the smartphone era? Let’s see…

1. They can cut down on impulse buys.

There is one very big point in favour of using a paper list, and that is the fact that studies have shown it makes you a more thoughtful shopper. Researchers have also found that people are less likely to make impulse buys when they use paper lists, so this may be a good way of saving some money.

2. They have stood the test of time.

Another thing the paper list has going for it is that it’s tried and true. Your mum used one, your grandmother used one, and there was always something good to eat growing up. Plus, if you leave a running list in the kitchen, anyone else in the family can easily pull it out and add onto it if they think of something they need.

3. You don’t have to get your phone out.

This is a pretty important one in the Covid era. I do not like touching my phone when I’m out of the house, especially when I’ve been filling up my cart with items other people probably touched on the shelf. With a paper list, you can leave your phone in your bag the whole time and just toss the list in the trash when you leave to keep germs to a minimum.

The biggest draws of digital lists

Despite paper’s many positives, I’m a big fan of digital shopping lists, and more and more people are getting on board with this approach for a variety of reasons.

1. They’re super convenient.

Convenience is the biggest reason for using digital shopping lists. I always have my phone nearby, especially when I leave home. By keeping a digital list, I can make an impromptu stop at the shops whilst I’m out and about without having to stop home first and grab my list.

2. You can sync and collaborate.

Another great thing about digital lists is that many apps allow for syncing across devices and family members. If I’m working on my computer and come across an interesting recipe, I can add the ingredients to my list from my desktop and they’ll also appear on the list in my phone.

On top of that, they’ll show up on my husband’s phone, so he can surprise me by doing the shopping himself – but if I’m being honest, this usually works the other way around, with him adding on items he needs me to pick up for him!

3. They’re super smart

Another thing I love about using apps is that they have amazing features which can make your life so much simpler. Some of them have voice functionality – which means you can very easily add items you remember you’ll need to get on the spot, others intuitively organise your food items into categories (such as dairy, veg, and so on).

In short, using digital shopping lists can be a huge time-saver that hopefully helps you avoid that sinking feeling when you realise you forgot to get the starring ingredient in tonight’s dinner at 5pm.

The app I use is called ourgroceries. It’s a great little thing; I share an account with my husband as it updates in real time. Another great feature is voice, I am adding things to my list daily in seconds.
You can check it out here.

Love,

Nakita xxx