Once you’ve got a plan, it’s time to make a list. That’s the best insurance that you won’t spend extra dollars on ingredients you don’t really need. Check your recipes to see what you’ll need to buy for the week. Get a head start by creating a list on your computer (in a spreadsheet program) that includes all the items you buy on a weekly basis, such as eggs, milk and bread. Then just print it out and add to it what you need.