A grocery price book is a tiny list that tracks what you actually pay for your most‑bought items, in a consistent unit (per 100g, per piece, per litre). It takes about 20 minutes to set up and keeps paying off with calmer, cheaper shopping. No spreadsheets required—use your notes app, a half sheet of paper, or whatever you already carry.
Why it works:
- It kills guesswork: you’ll know a “good price” for your staples.
- It reduces choice fatigue: you’ll default to the cheaper store for specific items.
- It protects your meals: when prices jump, you have quick swaps ready.
No guilt, just awareness. Start simple, repeat later.
What counts as a “price book”?
- A short list (10–20 items) you buy often.
- Each item has a consistent unit, one or two store prices, and a best‑price rule.
- You update it casually when you get a new receipt or spot a change.
That’s it. Keep it tiny on purpose.
20‑minute setup (one time)
- Choose your format (2 minutes)
- Paper: a folded index card you keep in your wallet.
- Notes app: a pinned note or simple table.
- Tool you already use: if you track expenses in Monee, keep prices as short notes on your grocery entries so everything lives in one place. No extra app juggling.
- Pick your baseline items (5 minutes)
- List 12–15 things you buy often, not every possibility.
- Aim for anchors that build meals: pasta/rice, eggs, tomatoes, onions, cooking oil, yoghurt, bread, frozen veg, beans/lentils, chicken or tofu, bananas/apples, oats, coffee/tea, tomato passata, cheese.
- Add two “treats you actually buy” (e.g., chocolate, crisps). Real life matters.
- Set a consistent unit for each (5 minutes)
- Examples: pasta per 500g, rice per 1kg, eggs per piece, milk per litre, apples per kg, yoghurt per 500g, coffee per 250g.
- Consistency beats perfection—just pick one and stick to it.
- Fill prices from reality, not memory (8 minutes)
- Open your last 1–2 receipts (photo roll works) or a recent delivery order.
- Record one price from your closest store, and one from your second option (e.g., discount chain vs. corner shop).
- Don’t chase every brand. Use the brand you usually buy or a store brand as your baseline.
- Optional: add a quick “good enough” rule (“<= €1 for 500g pasta”).
Done. You now have a lightweight reference that saves you from standing frozen in aisle five.
The template
Copy this table into your note or print it. Use “Store A” for your regular stop and “Store B” for a backup or discount option. Add one or two examples if it helps, then replace them with your own.
| Item | Unit | Store A € | Store B € | Best (A/B) | Notes / Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasta | 500g | 0.89 | 0.79 | B | Aim ≤ €1/500g |
| Eggs | 1 pc | 0.35 | 0.29 | B | Free‑range when ≤ €0.30/pc |
| Rice | 1kg | ||||
| Tomatoes | 1kg | ||||
| Onions | 1kg | ||||
| Milk | 1L | ||||
| Yoghurt | 500g | ||||
| Bread | 1 loaf | ||||
| Frozen veg | 750g | ||||
| Beans/Lentils | 400g | ||||
| Chicken/Tofu | 1kg | ||||
| Bananas | 1kg | ||||
| Oats | 1kg | ||||
| Coffee/Tea | 250g | ||||
| Passata | 700g | ||||
| Cheese | 200g | ||||
| Treat 1 | — | ||||
| Treat 2 | — |
Tips:
- If your store’s shelf labels show unit price, write that directly (e.g., “€1.58/kg”).
- If not, convert once. After that, you’re just copying numbers.
Micro‑experiments (try any time)
- Two‑receipt sprint (3 minutes): After your next shop, write prices for 5 items from today’s receipt and 5 from last week’s. That’s 10 lines, done.
- Store vs. store (5 minutes): Pick 5 staples. Check them at your discount store and your nearest convenience store. Circle the “best” column. Now you have a default route.
- Swap test (5 minutes): Pick one staple (e.g., yoghurt). Try the cheaper unit size or brand for a week. If taste passes, keep it. If not, revert—no guilt.
- Threshold set (2 minutes): Set 3 “good enough” limits (e.g., pasta ≤ €1/500g, eggs ≤ €0.30/pc, bananas ≤ €1.50/kg). If the price is above your limit, choose the backup item (e.g., oats + fruit instead of pricier cereal).
- Late‑week pivot (2 minutes): When you feel your budget stretch, switch to a pantry meal from your list (tomato pasta, rice + beans, veg omelette). Decision fatigue drops fast.
Smart decision rules (so you don’t overthink)
- Buy bulk only for “weekly‑use” items you finish reliably and have space for. Bulk pasta? Fine. Bulk salad? Probably not.
- Prefer unit price over promo noise. “2 for €3” means nothing if the unit price is worse.
- Seasonal swaps win. If tomatoes spike, switch to passata for sauces and keep fresh for slicing only.
- Lock a “default” at each store. E.g., Store A for fruit/veg, Store B for dry goods. Saves time and reduces temptation laps.
- Keep a “good, better, best” list: Good (store brand), Better (mid), Best (favourite). Slide between them based on week‑to‑week prices.
Keep it tiny, keep it honest
- Track 15 items, not 50. You’ll use it more.
- Update only when you shop or check a receipt—no special sessions.
- If you’re tired, capture prices for just 3 items. Small wins count.
- If you miss a week, nothing breaks. Your thresholds still guide you.
Optional helper: a minimal digital layer
If you already track spending in Monee, your price book can piggy‑back without extra work:
- Use your existing Groceries category and add a short note with the store name and unit (e.g., “pasta 500g – Lidl”).
- At month‑end, the overview helps you see if staples or “snacks/treats” drive the total. Nudge your thresholds or swaps accordingly.
That’s all you need—no deep setup, no tutorials.
Make it feed your meals
A price book is most useful when it protects actual dinners. Try this quick pairing:
- List three cheap, repeatable meals you like (e.g., tomato pasta, rice + beans + frozen veg, veggie omelette + bread).
- Cross‑check that your price book covers their key ingredients with fair thresholds.
- If one ingredient is consistently pricey, note a swap (e.g., cheddar → gouda, broccoli → mixed frozen veg).
When your week gets busy (or the budget feels tight), you can pivot to these without re‑planning.
Quick FAQ (student‑life edition)
- Do I need brand‑by‑brand detail? No. Start with your usual store brand. Add a second brand only if you often buy it.
- What if prices keep changing? That’s the point—you’ll spot ranges and set “good enough” limits. You don’t need perfect precision.
- Can I track per‑meal costs? If you like. Multiply unit costs by what you use. Even a rough number shows which meals stretch a week best.
- How often should I update? When you notice a change or feel like it. Monthly is plenty for most.
Wrap‑up
A grocery price book is a 20‑minute habit with a big upside: fewer surprises at checkout, faster shopping, and go‑to meals that always fit. Keep it small, keep it true to what you actually buy, and let your thresholds do the quiet work. Grab two receipts, fill 10 lines, and enjoy the feeling of being in control without turning your life into a spreadsheet.
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