Thank you for responding, all you list makers! Now I don't feel quite so OCD about it :)

I write notes on the back of my hand, if that's what you mean :p

I even have a master list of everything I'd like to remodel/replace/fix/paint for each room in my house. I'm knocking off the cheap stuff first. Someday when I have money, I'm going for the big stuff (like building a garage and remodeling the kitchen completely).

I tried it and it doesn't work for me. The same thing with my calendar. In fact, I was writing things into lists and calendars after I'd bought them. Now I'm a post-it guy. My desk is littered with phone numbers, dates, things I need to buy or take care of all on multi-colored post-its. I'm not even really sure what some of them mean. I hate post-its.

-Rudey

1) Log on to GreekChat
2) Check user CP
3) Reply to all interesting threads
4) read pm's
5) responst to pm's
6) delete pm's
7) Surf GREEKCHAT
8) Remember to get some work done
9) Go home
10) Log on to GreekChat
11) Repeat 2-7
12) Kiss Husband
13) Go to bed

I'd be dead without a white board on our fridge. I think our family would stop if I didn't have use a master calendar. It's on a kitchen wall by the phone and it's HUGE. Think desk blotter size with big blocks for each date and a 'notes' section. Yes, I do color-coordinate each of us to make it easier to see who has what going on.

Other than that, I make lists most of the time for the grocery store, or Target/Walmart runs. I also make lists of books for the library, and of course birthday and holiday gift lists!

I love lists! Ya'll should see my grocery list, it's insanely OCD. Once I make the meal plans and figure out what I need to buy I make a list. This list I break down further into departments and list them in the order I encounter them around the grocery store. For example I would list:

Produce:
lettuce
green pepper
fresh fruit

Frozen:
pizza
corn

Bread:
bread
hot dog buns

This allows me to easily grab everything in one complete circuit around the store with no backtracking. Also, as I put each item in the cart I round up and jot down how much it will be. As I finish each section I add to find the subtotal and then add the subtotals as I work my way around the store. This means that as I get to the register I have a fair idea how much it's going to run and it's easier to spot mistakes when my things are rung up.

*whew* It sounds like a lot of work but it really makes my life easier.

Haha I just wrote my grocery list now, and it is similar to that. I have pounds of chicken noted, and also the size of apples and such. Anything I buy in bulk I have the exact weight/volume I need. I even make notes of coupons and such. The Safeway receipts have every item in a separate category, frozen, produce, etc. For those of us with the anal retentive behaviors it makes it to easy! My roommates trip out on my efficiency and that I can calculate how much money I spent on cheese any given month.

As for the totals, my state taxes on groceries (wtf?) so I have my maximum amount to spend minus the tax. This is now a lot easier as our tax dropped to five percent. Helps me decide if I want a treat or an item not on my list.

I do the same with my grocery lists, with sales/coupons noted. I go one step further even. When I make my list, I am mentally walking down the aisles of the store so that it's all in order. I abhor grocery shopping and that speeds it up a lot. The less time I'm in that darn store, the better. I get so excited when I'm down to the freezer stuff because those are the last 3 aisles.

Dee

I HATE grocery shopping, too, but I found a way to make it a little easier: I made a list of everything I tend to buy, then separated it by the aisles in my favorite grocery store. I then made a document on it, and was able to put it twice on the one sheet of paper (along with space at the bottoms so I can add anything extra). I print it out every few months & make copies. Then, when I go shopping, I highlight the things I need in one color, and the things I need & have coupons for in another.

How's that for OCD? :)

give me a legal pad and the list just grows and grows.
and i'm not happy until i see some progress.
just call me ocd to the max.

During the school year, my whole life is like one big to-do list that never gets finished, lol. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have been thinking about doing this for a while! I have some basic things that I always have to have on hand or that I use almost every pay period.. the things I must have at home to cook my usual meals. I am pretty boring with my meal planning (my kids are really picky eaters!) so it's the same stuff every other week. Someday, I'll get my grocery list this organized :)

I consider myself a walking calendar....but I make lists too, for things I think I may forget, things I need to do, etc......but I always have a notebook and pen with me, and my calendar......

I never leave home without my dayplanner! It keeps me very organized. Especially when school is in.