Shrewd Shopper checking her grocery list

In this tough economy almost every parent and family are looking for ways to save. And sure, everyone has heard that you should use a grocery list, and common sense says, "That's a good idea," but hardly anyone uses one. As Lavish Cheapskates, we habitually and systematically use a grocery list, the idea of which we should build upon. In this article, we are discussing a grocery list because first, it's easy to do, and second, it is one of the most powerful ways to free up money immediately. Poor-Rich People go to the grocery store and actually considers using a grocery list but never get around to doing it. This leaves many openings to throw away money. They warrant more trips to the grocery store due to forgotten items, they increase impulsive spending, they waste gas and waste time, and they have no money-freeing grocery plan in place.

As Lavish Cheapskates, we always use a grocery list. We not only know exactly what we're buying at the grocery store when we go, we have a list of the foods and items that are low cost. We buy with a plan to make quick and easy meals at home, which keeps us from eating out. We are very clear on what we need and stick to the list. We have the mindset that the grocery store is a tool to free up money, and we avoid costly mistakes such as eating out too often, running to fast food restaurants because there's no time to cook, and making needless trips to the grocery store. READ More on The Lavish Cheapskate–Everyday Strategies to Free Up Money and Recession-Proof Your Life!