How to Make the Perfect Shopping List

Useful tips from http://www.health.com/
Without one, your budget will fatten—and so could your waistline.

Shop unscripted, and not only will you buy the same tired ingredients every week but your money will fly away—and your impulse control will, too. Try our pointers for making a convenient, life-lengthening list.
Make a meal plan. Pick out a few recipes, and you have an instant ingredient list that will rein in impulse buys.
Draw up a master list. Compiling your grocery receipts for four weeks will give you a master list that helps you avoid buying stuff you already have. Keep it on the fridge and mark down what you bought when.
Don’t shop hungry. You’ll eat your way through the store!
Organize aisle by aisle. This timesaver will keep you from zigzagging back and forth in the store.
Write down a rainbow. Choose different colors of fruits and vegetables to guarantee variety.
Stick to the list. Without a list, you’ll fork over 30 percent more on impulse items.