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As we know, being a Domestic Engineer requires a lot of organization. This is one of my favorite organizational tips that covers so many areas at once.

Go to http://www.homeplansoftware.com. On the top right of the homepage you will see a spiral notebook icon. This is a free customizable grocery list program. Download the program and customize it.

When you customize the list, notice that you may add not only items, but categories. We added each isle of the grocery store.

Now, take it a step farther list all of the places you go when you run your errands and expenses for each to this list, by naming categories for other places that you do business regularly and what you buy there. These may be the drug store, the dry cleaners, office supply, liquor store, feed store, post office, department store and hardware store, to name a few. Notice that list also has a place for the price of each item or service that is provided by those businesses, fill in your list as completely as possible. Keep in mind that you can update it as needed.

NOTE: When you add categories to your list it places them in alphabetical order so as not to have TruValue Hardware in the middle of my grocery isle list I added a Z in front of the store name so that it would go to the bottom.

To further optimize using this list to efficiently run your home take time to go through the list and click on the items that need refrigeration. Print that list and laminate it with clear Contact paper. Place the refrigerator list on the refrigerator and check off items that you need with a dry marker.

Do the same for your pantry, freezer, laundry, workshop, and office areas.

When is time to run your errands, collect your laminated lists and place the items that you need on your main list in the computer and the software will print just the items that you need under the stores where you are going to shop. You will notice that your list is printed in categories just as the store is laid out. If you choose to utilize another option, this list also will help you budget expenses, by telling you how much it will cost for each item and totaling the list of selected items.

This is a very efficient way to organize your home-base and your business knowing that once-a-week you can run your errands and not miss anything that you need or over-spend your budget.