10 steps to create an effective shopping list
Kira Zabe
September 22, 2024
You know the situation - you're standing in front of your fridge trying to figure out what's missing and urgently needs to be bought, thinking to yourself “Oh, I can easily remember these few things.” Then it's off to the supermarket and discount store. Once you're back home, you realize when you're putting things away that you're missing a few very special things and usually these are the things you urgently need for cooking/baking. I am definitely one of those people. The solution is actually quite simple: a shopping list. Here are 10 steps that make creating a shopping list much easier.
Get an overview
Before you go shopping, you (and I, of course) should get an overview of what's left in the house. Of course, this works better if there is a certain basic order in the fridge and cupboards. Maybe you'll find one or two things that need to be processed urgently, although this doesn't apply to users of the Smantry.App. The app informs you promptly when the “best-before date” is approaching.
What do you really need?
I'm one of those people who always tends to buy too much. A shopping list, which I write by hand the old-fashioned way, helps me combat this. When shopping, it's crucial that you concentrate on what you really need. After all, people tend to shop impulsively. As I've already mentioned in another blog, I'm one of the typical packaging victims. A shopping list also helps against this. Don't buy foods that are currently in vogue and that you don't actually like. Sort your shopping list from the must-haves (for me, this would be pasta and cooking cream, for example) to the nice-to-haves. A well-organized shopping list helps you to avoid waste.
Divide your shopping list into categories
While we're on the subject of sorting, you can divide your shopping list into categories. For example, fruit and vegetables, meat, bread, snacks, etc. How many times have I run back through the supermarket and discount store because I've forgotten something - and almost as often something has ended up in the shopping cart that I didn't actually need.
Use digital helpers
If you don't like writing your shopping list by hand, then your smartphone is your best friend. There are numerous apps that can help you create and organize your shopping list. By the way, one of them is the Smantry.app ;)
Take advantage of offers and discounts
There are discount coupons, either in the brochure of the relevant discounter or supermarket or in the relevant app.
Shopping according to the seasons
Shopping according to the seasons offers you the wonderful opportunity to sustainably source the right products and enjoy the diversity of nature. Seasonal and regional fruit and vegetables, for example, do not have to travel long distances, which has a positive effect on your carbon footprint. In spring, these include asparagus, rhubarb, young lettuce and berries. In summer, the regional selection is naturally larger, with juicy tomatoes, strawberries, crunchy cucumbers and a wide variety of fruit. But fall also has a rich selection. There are pumpkins, apples, pears and, of course, mushrooms. Only in winter is the choice a little more limited. Here, however, you can fall back on the frozen variety, for example, if you wish.
First things first
Sorting your shopping list is an important step towards efficient shopping. As mentioned above, it makes sense to sort the products by category, for example by bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, dry foods, etc. Real professionals even sort their shopping list according to the location of the food. The reason for this is relatively clear: you save time and avoid unnecessary running back and forth. But for me, shopping also has something to do with relaxation and I actually quite enjoy strolling through the shelves. The shopping list should help me to avoid impulse purchases - and of course not to forget anything so that I don't have to run back and perhaps be tempted after all.
Stock up on supplies
We often cover the topic of stockpiling on the Smantry.app blog. If you want to stock up sensibly, you should always put an extra pack in your shopping basket when you go shopping, for example. So two packs of pasta instead of one. However, you should use up the food in your “daily store” and then replenish it again and again. The pantry app not only informs you which products are about to expire, but also how much of which product you still have in the house.
Check - check everything again
Before you leave the house, you should at least roughly check once again whether you really have everything you need on your shopping list. Also make sure you have your wallet and enough transportation for your purchases.
Stay flexible and don't forget to have fun
A shopping list is exactly what the name says: a list. It's not a law that you have to follow slavishly. You are therefore welcome to be spontaneous and it is okay to put something tasty in your shopping cart that is not on the list - as long as it stays within reason. Slips are also perfectly forgivable. As long as it stays within reason.
Smantry: Not perfect – but made with a lot of heart
Many of our users write to us that theyhave been looking for exactly this kind of app for a long time. At the same time, we also read reviews that say:“Good idea, but …”
And that’s exactly what we want to talk about openly today.
An app for everyday life – not for perfection
Smantry is designed to make everyday life easier: manage groceries, stay on top of things, waste less.
Your feedback shows us that this is already working well for many of you:
- Inputs are quick and straightforward
- The scanner reliably detects most products
- Editing and making changes is easy
- Our support is perceived as fast, friendly, and solution-oriented
We’re really glad to hear that – because that’s exactly what we’re building Smantry for.
Why some things are (still) not perfect
What you often don’t see from the outside: Smantry is developed by a very small team.
Right now we are 5 people, and none of us works full-time on the app. We do this alongside other projects, jobs, and commitments – with a lot of passion, but limited resources.
That doesn’t explain everything, but it provides context:
- Some functions take longer
- Technical issues (e.g. with premium activations) unfortunately happen sometimes
- Not every idea can be implemented right away
Frequently asked questions from your reviews
Why a subscription?
The subscription allows us to cover server costs, ongoing development, updates, and support in the first place. Without continuous revenue, Smantry would not be able to exist in the long term.
"Why isn’t the bug I reported being fixed?"
Sometimes there are several bugs at the same time and we have to prioritize the ones that affect core functions. That can mean that a different bug gets fixed first. We always try to resolve everything quickly – but unfortunately we can only do it step by step.
Why doesn’t Premium sometimes work right away?
Subscriptions are managed through the app stores. In rare cases, synchronization issues can occur. That’s annoying, but not intentional – our support team will always help you with this personally.
Where we want to go
Smantry is meant to get better – not just on paper, but in real everyday life.
This includes:
- more features from the web app
- better stability
- more flexibility with categories
- clearer communication
Your feedback plays a central role in this.
In conclusion
We’re not a corporation.
We’re a small team that believes in a good idea and is putting it into practice step by step.
If Smantry is helping you – even if everything isn’t perfect yet – we really appreciate your trust, your feedback, and of course a fair rating in the App Store 💛
Thank you for being part of this development.
Power outage in Berlin: Why preparation and prepping are more important today than ever
An unexpected power outage in Berlin has recently shown how quickly our daily life can become unbalanced. Traffic lights went out, card payments stopped working, and many households were suddenly without light, internet, or cooking facilities. Such events highlight: emergency preparedness and prepping are not about spreading panic, but rather a sensible and responsible preparation for real risks.
Power Outage – A Real Risk for Major Cities
Whether it's technical malfunctions, construction work, or extreme weather conditions: A Blackout or regional power outage can occur at any time. Especially in large cities like Berlin, the effects are immediately noticeable. Without electricity, many basic systems no longer function – from supermarkets to ATMs to communication.
The most important question is:
Am I prepared for this?
Prepping: Preparedness instead of fear
Prepping does not mean preparing for apocalyptic scenarios. Rather, it's about everyday readiness:
- remain capable of acting
- be able to provide for the family
- Reduce stress and uncertainty
- not be immediately dependent on external help
The power outage in Berlin demonstrates: Just a few hours without electricity can cause major problems.
Stockpiling food as a key to emergency preparedness
A well-thought-out food supply is the foundation of any emergency preparedness. Experts recommend having supplies for at least 7 to 14 days. These include:
- non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods
- Drinking water
- long shelf-life snacks
- Baby food or special diet
- off-grid cooking options (e.g., gas stoves)
Yet many households quickly lose track: What's available? What's missing? What's about to expire?
Digital preparation with the Smantry App
Here comes the Smantry App into play – your digital companion for prepping, preparation, and stockpiling. The app helps you to plan your supplies in a structured way and to keep track at all times.
With the Smantry App you can:
- Easily capture food supplies digitally
- Define minimum quantities for emergencies
- Monitor expiration dates and prevent food waste
- prepare specifically for power outages, blackouts, and crises
- Integrating prepping step by step into daily life
This makes emergency preparedness simple, transparent, and efficient.
Prepare now instead of improvising later:
👉 Download the Smantry App and start your digital emergency preparedness today.
Power outage in Berlin as a wake-up call
The power outage in Berlin was an eye-opener for many people. It demonstrates how quickly familiar structures can collapse – and how important it is to be prepared. Those who take precautions in time remain calm, safe, and independent.
Conclusion: Take precautions now instead of reacting later
Power outages, supply shortages, and crises are part of the reality of our time. With a well-thought-out food stockpiling and digital tools like the Smantry App you can make your emergency preparedness simple and effective.
👉 Start your preparation now
Download the Smantry App and gradually build up your personal emergency preparedness – before the next power outage occurs.
Discover the app now and be prepared.
🍂 Cozy Autumn Leftover Cooking – Comfort dishes made from what's available
When the rain taps on the window and the tea cup becomes a permanent guest, the most beautiful kitchen time of the year begins: autumn. And what could be a better match than stylish leftover cooking – dishes that are not only sustainable but also truly exciting.
Autumn leftover cooking means: use instead of waste, but with a touch of sophistication. Here are some more unusual ideas to turn leftovers into small culinary highlights.
🧀 1. Pumpkin Gnocchi from leftover roasted vegetables
Do you have some leftover roasted pumpkin or sweet potato from the day before? Perfect!
Mash the vegetables, mix them with some flour, salt, and grated Parmesan, shape them into small gnocchi, and briefly cook them in salted water until they float to the surface. Then toss them in sage butter and top with chopped walnuts.
→ Tastes like Italy, looks like fine dining – and it's all made from leftovers!
🥖 2. Rustic bread salad with grapes and goat cheese
Tear stale bread into pieces, toast in olive oil until golden brown.
Add a few grapes (wrinkled ones are especially sweet), arugula or lamb's lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, and roasted hazelnuts. Mix with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard.
→ A fall twist on the classic Panzanella – sweet, salty, crunchy, perfect!
🧅 3. French onion tart with leftover vegetables and puff pastry
Got some leftover puff pastry in the fridge? Make a tart out of it!
Caramelize onions in butter, add some leftover vegetables (e.g., leeks, mushrooms, or spinach). Spread on the pastry, top with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese, and bake until golden brown.
→ Wonderfully aromatic, especially with thyme or rosemary.
🍎 4. Apple Sourdough French Toast with Vanilla Rum Butter
A piece of stale sourdough bread is soaked in a mixture of milk, egg, vanilla, and a dash of rum, fried in a pan, and served with fried apple slices and a rum butter.
→ Luxurious, yet made entirely from leftovers – perfect for a Sunday breakfast in pajamas.
🥬 5. Risotto made from leftover vegetables with lemon and herb oil
Chop the vegetable scraps finely and cook with a handful of rice into a creamy risotto.
A dash of lemon juice and some leftover herbs (parsley, basil, arugula) blended with oil make a fresh herb oil as a topping.
→ The acidity of the lemon beautifully enhances the earthy autumnal notes.
☕️ Bonus Tip: Using leftovers in a dessert glass
A few spoons of leftover compote?
Some leftover cake or cookies?
Layer it all with yogurt or mascarpone in a glass – and you have an autumnal "trifle" that looks like it came straight from a café in Copenhagen.
🍁 Conclusion
Autumnal leftover cooking is not a last resort, but a playground for creativity. When you look at ingredients with open eyes – not as leftovers, but as opportunities – small, exquisite dishes full of soul and flavor emerge.
Why we never stop refining Smantry ✨
At Smantry, we don't believe in 'finished'.
An app that is meant to accompany people in their daily lives is never complete – it grows, changes, and evolves. Just like the people who use it. 💛
We regularly pay attention to every detail:
How does a click feel? Is the path to a function clear enough? Does the idea behind a new view come across intuitively?
Sometimes it's just tiny things that make the difference – a better-placed button, a simplified overview, or a sentence that suddenly becomes clearer.
What drives us is the idea that Smantry should feel easy, familiar, and meaningful.
We want you to open the app and feel: "Ah, this is exactly how it should work."
Of course, not everything always goes perfectly. But that's exactly the point: We take the time to listen, to observe, to reconsider. Every piece of feedback, every use case, every new idea helps us to understand a little better what really matters.
Smantry is not a rigid product for us – it's a living process. A collaborative project that grows step by step.
And every update, every small improvement is a sign that we are on the right track:
A path to an app that doesn't feel like technology, but like support.
Towards a daily life that becomes simpler. Towards clarity, structure – and maybe even a bit of ease. 🌿
We're staying on it.
Because we are convinced that good things take time – and that it's worth creating them with heart.
Your
Smantry-Team