When we started working on HEIMA, incorporating a grocery list wasn't a top priority of ours. After all, our focus is on household chores and mental load – We quickly realised that we had made the wrong assumption, as a grocery list became an instant fan favorite and top feature request in our inbox.
Our users’ wishes are our commands 🧞♂️ So we have now built a clean and simple grocery list in the HEIMA app that you can use in real time with your whole family. Is the milk carton empty? Add it to HEIMA! Toilet paper running low? HEIMA! Craving some double stuffed Oreos? You guessed it... Add it to your HEIMA Grocery list!
A quick intro for those who are new here: The HEIMA App is a chore tracker and list maker for families and households. HEIMA turns household chores into a game by giving out points for each finished chore, keeping a task log and encouraging friendly competition with a family scoreboard. Keep all of your family-related tasks, chores and lists in one place with HEIMA, including your Grocery List!
Now how does it all work? It’s simple! Check out this step-by-step guide on how to create the perfect grocery list for your household, using the HEIMA app.
Step 1: Setting up your grocery list in the HEIMA app
The first step is to create the list. 🎶 This is how we do it 🎶
Open the HEIMA app on your smartphone
Click the “list” symbol at the bottom of the screen
Click the green circle with the "+" in the right bottom corner
Name the list and select "shopping" as the list type. The standard list is a template for to-do and diverse task lists, the shopping list is for grocery lists.
Click "Save".
Et voilá! Start creating categories and adding items to your grocery list.
Step 2: Take inventory before heading to the store
Before you start adding items to your shopping list, take a moment to assess what you already have at home. This not only helps you avoid duplicate purchases but also ensures that you make the most of what you already have. As you take stock, add to your HEIMA grocery list everything you don’t have in stock and uncheck anything that is already on the list that you need to purchase. You will then check it again once you add it to your cart at the store and HEIMA will track the date of when the item was last checked. How cool?
Now for those of us who need a little more support in the organization department… Here's a step-by-step guide on how to efficiently take stock at home:
Check Cabinets, Fridge, and Freezer
Cabinets: Check the shelves for dry goods like pasta, rice, and canned items. Take note of any items that are running low or have expired and add them to your grocery list.
Fridge: Look at the fresh produce, dairy, and other perishables. Check expiration dates and decide what needs to be used soon to avoid waste. Dispose of products that have already gone bad.
Freezer: Inventory your frozen foods, including meats, vegetables, and prepared meals. Ensure you have enough for your upcoming meal plans.
Check Spices and Condiments
Ensure you have enough basic spices and condiments. A well-stocked spice rack can make a significant difference in your cooking. Common essentials include:
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasoning for almost every dish.
Herbs and Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, thyme, basil, etc.
Condiments: Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil, etc.
Check Toiletries
Check the bathroom for essentials such as:
Shampoo and Conditioner: Ensure you have enough for the next few weeks.
Hand Soap and Body Wash: Essential for hygiene.
Toothpaste and Mouthwash: Stock up on oral care products.
Check Cleaning Products
Make sure you're stocked up on cleaning supplies, including:
All-Purpose Cleaner: Suitable for most surfaces.
Dish Soap and Dishwasher Detergent: Essential for cleaning dishes.
Laundry Detergent: Ensure you have enough for your laundry needs.
Specialty Cleaners: For specific tasks like glass cleaner or floor cleaner.
Check Paper Products
Verify the status of your paper products, including:
Toilet Paper: Well, we don’t want to run out of that one!
Kitchen Rolls: Useful for cleaning up spills and other kitchen tasks.
Anything else?
Check it as well, and let us know so we can update the list for others 🤗
Step 3: Involve the whole Family
One of the best features of the HEIMA app is that all household members can contribute to the grocery list in real-time. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone's needs and preferences are considered. Just like my dad, who has five kids, always says: “If everybody’s happy – Then everybody’s happy”.
Encourage your family to write things down immediately
Whenever you think of something you need, add it to the HEIMA app right away. Don’t wait until you’re about to head to the store, then it’s game over.
Special Considerations
Make sure to take into account food allergies, diets, and special needs in the household. This ensures that everyone can enjoy the meals and products you buy.
Step 4: Organize your grocery list
Organize your list by creating categories. This will make your shopping trip more efficient as you can tackle one section of the store at a time. Our pro tip is to arrange the categories based on the arrangement of your favorite supermarket.
This is how I organize my categories, but you can of course do this any way you like:
Food
Fruits and Vegetables.
Meats and Dairy.
Grains.
Snacks.
Frozen Foods.
Toiletries
Shampoo and Conditioner.
Soap and Body Wash.
Dental Care.
Personal Hygiene.
Cleaning Products
All-Purpose Cleaners.
Dishwashing Supplies.
Laundry Supplies.
Specialty Cleaner.
Paper Products
Toilet Paper.
Kitchen Rolls.
Napkins and Tissues.
Step 5: Use the HEIMA Grocery List while Shopping
As you shop, use the HEIMA app to check items you pick up. Once you check them, the app will assign today’s date to the item, helping you keep track of when you last purchased it. This feature can make taking inventory for next time easy and efficient, help you keep track of when perishable items expire and make sure you always have all the essential items you need on hand.
Pro Tips for Efficient Grocery Shopping
Here is some additional wisdom to make you a real pro at grocery shopping:
Plan Your Meals Ahead
Meal planning helps you create a more focused grocery shopping list. Decide on your meals for the week and list all the ingredients you’ll need. You can also use the HEIMA lists for your Meal Plan! This helps you avoid impulse buys and ensures you have everything you need for your meals.
Bring Multi-Use Bags to the Grocery Store
To make your grocery shopping trip more eco-friendly, remember to bring your reusable bags. Multi-use bags are not only better for the environment but also sturdier and more reliable for carrying your groceries. I keep mine in my car, hanging from the headrest of the passenger seat, but that’s just me.
Shop During Off-Peak Hours
Shopping during off-peak hours can save you time and reduce stress. Early mornings or late evenings are typically less crowded times to shop.
Stick to Your List
Sticking to your shopping list helps you stay on budget and avoid unnecessary purchases. The HEIMA app makes it easy to keep track of your list as you shop.
Compare Prices
If you have time, compare prices between different brands and stores. This can help you find the best deals and save money.
Use Coupons and Discounts
Take advantage of coupons and discounts. Many stores offer digital coupons that you can add to your loyalty card or app.
Is HEIMA's the Best Grocery List in Business?
We like to think so at least! Like all of HEIMA’s features the grocery list was developed in an open conversation with our users, based on their needs and wants, staying true to our core values: simple, fun and fair. This makes it super easy to use, sharable and collaborative for the whole family and of course visual with a clean layout.
Using the HEIMA app for your grocery list offers several benefits for your family:
Organization: Keep all your lists in one place and easily update them.
Collaboration: Allow all family members to contribute to the list in real-time. Making it a shared responsibility.
Efficiency: Organize your list by categories and store layout for a quicker shopping experience.
Tracking: Use the app’s date tracking feature to monitor purchases and expiration dates.
Effortless: By regularly updating your list and involving all family members, you can maintain a well-stocked and organized home effortlessly.
If you are looking for a sign to start using a digital grocery list to make your life simpler, this is it! Start your grocery list today with the HEIMA app and experience the convenience and efficiency it brings to your household shopping routine.
Happy shopping!
The HEIMA team
Ps. If you have any ideas on how to make our grocery list even better, reach out at hello@getheima.com and let us know!