Family shopping: one list, four people

One shared list beats four separate ones, but only if everyone knows what to do with it. This guide sets up a household list in a quarter of an hour and keeps it working.

Start with one list and one owner

Create the list on the phone of the person who shops most often and share it with the rest of the household. The owner can remove participants and the list itself; everyone else adds, checks off and removes items.

Agree on what goes on the list

Anyone who notices something is running out adds it, right away, with the amount. “Milk 2” is enough; the details can wait for the store.

Shop from the list, check off as you go

Whoever is in the store checks items off as they land in the basket. The others see it as it happens, so two people in two stores never buy the same thing.

Once a week, clean up

Checked-off items pile up. Clear them at the end of the week and the list is ready for the next one.