Grocery Trip Organization

Let me start this post off by saying that I can't believe I never went to Aldi to do my grocery shopping before last year. Believe it or not, my ex-husband told me about the store a long time ago, as in, 7 or 8 years ago. I guess I should have listened. I have a certain method for grocery shopping when we (I dragged my hubby along) go on our big trips to Aldi. We usually go on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, hoping it's not too terribly busy. The reason I despise Super Wal-Mart is the crowds of crazy, pajama wearing, no teeth having people. Seriously, it irks me to no end that people can't at least put on sweatpants to go grocery shopping. I live in a small town where most likely you will run into someone you know and people still have on pajamas. Gag. This is also the reason I go to the next town to shop. I really don't want to be distracted running into the neighbors, teachers from school and have to stand and talk for 2 hours while needing to think about my shopping trip. Call me snobby but that's the honest truth. I have a hard enough time concentrating these days, I can't have someone breaking the concentration. Ha! I spend approximately two hours before my shopping trip listing out meals for the upcoming two weeks.

My Household Notebook-Linky Party

Erin of Blue-Eyed Bride fame did a post on her household notebook so I thought I'd link up to her link party.

I've been keeping a household notebook for about three years.  It has helped me tremendously.  When I feel unorganized, I feel like my life is in total chaos. 

There are a ton of sites to find free downloadable lists and I found one of the best sites for downloading lists to help keep your home organized, as a matter of fact, that's what the site is called Organizedhome.com. 
My household notebook is basically just a 3 ring binder with clear tab dividers.
The notebook is divided into the following sections:
(On each section divider I put the individual sheets that are enclosed within that section)

Phone list
Master phone directory
Emergency phone directory- doctors phone numbers-good to take out and post on the fridge when the kids are with a babysitter

Meals and Menus-
Freezer Inventory-so you don't forget everything you've frozen for future meals and the date they were frozen
Pantry Inventory-
Listing of Favorite Meals
List of Meals to Try
Monthly Menu-

Weekly Menu-

Dinner Ideas-a list of dinners that my family enjoys

Family -
a list of family members sizes, store preferences (for the tween in the family), birthdates, anniversaries
Home Management -
Master list of home improvement projects, list of dates and when certain household things need to be done (change air filters)
Planning -
birthday party ideas, vacation planning, list of blogs I love, best home decorating websites

Activities and School -
School calendars, newsletters, soccer roster, football roster

Sorry for the blurry pics. It's hard to take a pic of a page.
Money and FinanceBudget/spending record-very important in this economy
Bills to pay

Credit card list
Insurance Information-
I put copies of my insurance policies in a clear page protector

Home Management
Household cleaning schedule

Seasonal chore schedule
Children's chore checklist
Home inventory
Home decorating ideas
Car maintenance schedule
Magazine subscriptions


PlanningCalendars
Schedules
To-do lists
Scrapbook ideas/page layouts

My household notebook has been so much help. I can now tell when I have plenty of food in the pantry to menu plan. In past years, I've forgotten what was in the back of the freezer - now I don't.

I also have my Breast Cancer Awareness day-timer planner, which is invaluable to me!

 I also keep a recipe notebook that I can just grab and jot down the great recipes I see on blogs.