In our household, the division of tasks is clear: I plan the meals for the week, and my husband takes care of the cooking. Whoever has the most time or energy handles the grocery shopping. Initially, I used to write our grocery list on a notepad, but it often ended up being forgotten at home or rendered useless if my husband went to the store. This led me to feel the burden of list-making was solely on my shoulders.
Why a grocery list app was a game changer
To address this issue, we decided to give a grocery list app a try, and it made a significant difference. With the app, we could create and share multiple lists, add items, and always have our lists on our smartphones, regardless of who was doing the grocery shopping each week.
Popular grocery list apps like Bring!, AnyList, Out of Milk, and OurGroceries offer free versions for both iOS and Android users. These apps sync in real time and are easily shareable with other household members, friends, or roommates.
While most apps have a premium version that removes ads or provides priority customer service, the free versions offer a wide range of features that are quite useful.
After trying out different options, we settled on AnyList due to its user-friendly interface and cost-effectiveness. What surprised me the most was not just the functionality of the app, but how it positively impacted other aspects of our marriage as well.
“Apps can be powerful tools for building trust, balancing workloads, and promoting financial well-being within the household,” noted Maureen Kelley, a certified financial therapist based in Denver, Colorado.
It kept us organized
The ability to create and manage multiple lists in one place has been incredibly helpful for us. Currently, we have separate lists for Aldi, Costco, and items needed for an upcoming family vacation.
Most grocery list apps utilize “smart categorization” to group similar items together, making in-store shopping more convenient. No more wandering around the store with a paper list in hand. Additionally, we can easily identify items to buy in bulk or identify overlapping ingredients.
Moreover, these apps allow users to create custom categories if the pre-defined ones don’t fully meet their needs. For instance, our vacation list includes a “beach” category with essentials like sunscreen and beach toys.
It let us share the work of keeping our family fed
Switching to a grocery list app helped distribute the responsibility of list-making between us. If my husband finishes the last of the milk, he can easily add it to the list. The mental load of tracking our inventory and needs no longer rests solely on my shoulders.
Kelley defines the mental load as “the invisible burden of organizing, planning, and remembering household tasks,” with grocery shopping being a prime example.
“It’s not just about purchasing food—it involves meal planning, budgeting, understanding preferences, and anticipating needs,” Kelley explained. “Over time, this mental burden can lead to one partner feeling overwhelmed or undervalued, while the other might feel excluded or unsure of how to contribute.”
Additionally, minor annoyances like multiple phone calls from my husband asking about what to buy have disappeared, as he now has access to the list and actively contributes to it.
It helped us save money at the grocery store
In times when every BW Reader mattered, and grocery shopping felt like a stressful event due to rising costs, a grocery list app proved to be a valuable asset.
“With grocery prices on the rise, these apps help prevent one of the sneakiest budget-killers in family life: waste from duplicate purchases,” noted James Moore, a deal expert at Savings.com.
Apps like Out of Milk offer a pantry inventory feature, allowing users to scan barcodes of pantry items and mark when supplies are running low. This feature helps avoid accidentally overstocking on expensive ingredients like eggs or meat.
Collaborating with someone else to take stock of our pantry each week has made the process much easier. While I call out items needed for our recipes, my husband checks the pantry to verify if we already have those items. This joint effort has made inventory management less tedious.
We’ve also opted for store brands whenever possible to save on groceries. These apps allow us to specify details like preferred brands, sizes, and quantities. Some apps even enable users to take pictures of specific items, reducing the need for phone calls from the grocery store.
More than just a grocery list
Initially, I didn’t anticipate that switching to a grocery list app would have any impact on our marriage beyond convenience. However, the unexpected benefits have been moments of increased happiness. I no longer feel resentful about being the sole list-maker, and he feels empowered to contribute to the list whenever necessary. This has helped us stick to our budget and share the responsibilities of keeping our pantry and fridge stocked.
The process of meal planning and preparation has become more collaborative.
“By transforming grocery shopping into a shared responsibility with clear communication and thoughtful planning, couples can reduce stress, enhance collaboration, and align their food expenses with long-term financial objectives,” emphasized Kelley.
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