Why does nobody talk about the $9 notebook that finally got my grocery bill under control
I was standing in the checkout line at the Safeway on 5th last Tuesday, watching the total climb past $140 for what felt like a cart full of nothing. I'd tried the apps and the spreadsheets and none of it stuck. What finally worked was dumb: a cheap spiral notebook I keep stuck to the fridge with a magnet. Every time I run out of something I write it down right then. Sunday I copy that list to the back page, guess the prices from last time, and leave the house with a hard number. Three weeks running I've come in under $95. The surprise was how much I was buying twice because I forgot we already had it. Curious what other people do for the little stuff, like do you track paper towels or just let it ride?