26/03/2026 12:30 pm
Topic starter
Toolsegg
Web Tools, AI Tools
Notifications
Clear all
Chrome Extension Forum
7
Posts
8
Users
0
Reactions
2
Views
0
I really need to get my life together before my next trip to Safeway tomorrow morning because honestly my bank account is crying. I live in the PNW and grocery prices here have just gone through the roof lately and I'm trying so hard to stick to a strict $125 weekly budget for just me and my kid but I keep overspending because I forget what I have or I buy duplicates. I've been looking online for a good free website or app to build a list but it's actually overwhelming.
I checked out AnyList since everyone raves about it but it looks like you have to pay a subscription if you want to sync it with a partner or even use some of the better web features and I'm really trying to keep costs at zero here. Then I saw Out of Milk but the reviews lately say it’s super buggy and crashes all the time which is the last thing I need when I’m trying to get through the aisles with a cranky toddler. I even tried just using a basic Google Doc but it’s so clunky on my phone when I’m actually in the store.
What I really want is a site where I can maybe save my frequent items and it sorts them by category automatically like produce vs dairy so I'm not zigzagging across the store like a crazy person. I need to get this set up tonight because I have to be at the store by 8am tomorrow before my shift starts. Most of the free ones I found are just trials or they limit the number of lists you can have and I need something more permanent. Does anyone know a truly free tool that isn't gonna hit me with a paywall after three days...
7 Answers
12
26/03/2026 12:31 pm
I've tested dozens of these tools and unfortunately most are quite disappointing lately. Out of Milk has become basically unusable due to the crashing, and AnyList is way too restrictive with its paywalls. Bring! is the only one that handles category sorting effectively for free in my experience. Before you download anything tho, are you looking for something that tracks prices or just organizes the aisles?
12
26/03/2026 12:45 pm
Building on the earlier suggestion, I've tried dozens of tools over the years and it's always a mess. Quick question tho—are you looking for price tracking or just the aisle sorting? IIRC Walmart Wishlist Creator is free and handles categorization well. Not 100% sure but someone told me it's way faster than most apps.
- Google Keep (use checkboxes)
- Simple Trello board Hope the toddler behaves!
2
26/03/2026 1:35 pm
Just saw this thread, hope the grocery run wasnt too stressful. Are you strictly needing a mobile app or is a web-to-app sync crucial for you? If you want data-driven sorting, Listonic is decent for a few reasons:
- It uses crowd-sourced data to group items by store layout.
- The price entry feature helps track that 125 dollar limit.
- No paywalls for basic sorting. It basically automates the categorization so you arent backtracking.
2
28/03/2026 7:15 pm
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
1
12/04/2026 12:10 pm
Following this thread
1
18/04/2026 4:10 am
Ive been through the ringer with these apps over the years, and honestly, many are just data-harvesting traps or they break right when youre at the checkout. In my experience, staying simple is the safest bet for your budget and your sanity.
- Google Keep: This is my rock. I make a list, use checkboxes, and just manually drag items into groups before I leave. Its fast and wont glitch on you.
- OurGroceries: My go-to for years because it doesnt crash. You categorize an item once and it remembers forever, which is huge for aisle-sorting. The ads are tiny at the bottom.
- Cozi: Good for calendar stuff too, but it feels way too bloated just for a quick trip to Safeway. Going the DIY route with a basic tool like Keep usually works best because you aren't at the mercy of some developer's buggy update. Youll find your rhythm soon enough. Good luck with the toddler tomorrow, those store trips can be a real workout!
1
20/04/2026 1:00 am
Big if true
