Putting a Plan Before the Cart

Few among us admit to actually enjoying grocery shopping. You could, of course, forget the whole trip and order groceries online. But if you prefer to sniff your own cantaloupe, several sites can help you spend less time and money buying groceries.

Let’s start with the lower-tech offerings. You can print ready-made lists from the Web to check off what you need this week.

* https://www.organizedtimes.com/grocery.htm provides a table with categories that you fill in yourself after printing it. It includes lines at the bottom for “This Week’s Menu” should you feel so ambitious. It’s nothing all that exciting, but it’s better than just wandering the aisles aimlessly in search of deliciousness.

* https://www.mauigateway.com/~mauishop/list.htm goes one step further by listing the products as well as the categories, but you still have to print it before using it.

* https://www.listorganizer.com/grocalphaco.htm provides not only a printable grocery list but also templates for menu planning and housecleaning.

* url www.a-weddingday.com/grocerylist.html lets you check online the various items you will need to stock up on, but you have to print the list to write in other items.

One site that’s useful and a bit more convenient is My Grocery Checklist at https://www.mygrocerychecklist.com. It lets you check off the items you need on-screen and add items that aren’t listed. When you’re done, you can print the list or e-mail it to someone, such as your spouse, as a reminder. One minor drawback is that when the list is formatted for printing, the category headings disappear.

After you register, DontForgetTheMilk (https://www.dontforgetthemilk.com/groceries.asp) enables you to create a shopping list and keep track of which items you’ve purchased and from where. One of the most useful options of this comprehensive site is that you can take it with you: download the list to your hand-held computer via AvantGo (https://www.avantgo.com), print it or e-mail it.

If you’re more organized, or hoping to be, several sites let you pick out recipes and then add the ingredients to a printable shopping list.

Betty Crocker is a well-known name in the kitchen. At https://www.bettycrocker.com, you can find recipes from kid-friendly to time-conserving to health-conscious. At https://www.mealsforyou.com, you can search through a database of more than 10,000 recipes and create meal plans.

Meals.com (https://www.my-meals.com) also boasts a vast database of recipes and offers tips for what to do with leftovers. You can add meal ideas to your recipe box and transfer the ingredients to a shopping list--plus add your own items. The site lets you add notes to keep yourself organized and then edit, clear or print the list.

Another aspect of shopping that can be a drag is the coupon clipping. Who has time? Instead, you can check out a few sites that give you the option to print only the coupons for the items you want. Most require you to sign up for a free membership.

ValuPage (https://www.valupage.com) gives you coupons specific to certain brands and stores. So for supermarkets such as Albertsons or Ralphs, you can get discounts on Brawny and Friskees to print and take with you, plus the site tells you about additional products discounted at the register.

CouponSurfer (https://www.couponsurfer.com) is sort of a clearinghouse for coupons and discounts for products, stores and e-tailers. Of course, you could also follow the hip hog in shades to https://www.coolsavings.com to get deals on everything from baby food to toiletries.

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Michelle Maltais is a broadcast producer and copy editor at The Times.