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Another tool that could help you save money

A few weeks back, we told you about three tools that could help you save money. Today, as part of SMI's new Personal Finance Friday series, I'm back this week with another one.

I'd like to introduce you to Ziplist. What is it? "ZipList is a free shopping list management tool that allows you to create and share grocery lists with family members." After registering for your free account, you can start building your lists by searching for items and adding them.

While the service is geared towards groceries, you can add clothes, home improvement items, essentially anything you want. There are fields for coupon information, notes, and the ability to mark an item as "Important." You can assign certain items to a preferred store and if a store you shop at isn't listed in your zip code, you can create it. You can even rearrange the store's aisles so that your list is geographically efficient.

Where Ziplist really shines is with its recipe functions. You can add recipes to your account and whenever you're ready to shop for them, simply find that recipe and click "Add to list" and the recipe's items will be added to your list. You can even add recipes you find on the web by installing a special link on your toolbar and clicking it when there's a recipe you want to keep. Very slick.

Furthermore, Ziplist has a free app for the iPhone so you can access your lists on the go. Additionally, you could build your lists using only your iPhone's camera by scanning the bar code of the items you'd like to add. Don't have an iPhone? There are options to access your list via text messaging, instant messaging, and email.

You can also share your lists. This is especially helpful for families. Say I remember that my wife is going to the store today and there is a certain melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hands chocolate I'd like. I simply add it to the shared list (via the site, email, text, instant message, or my iPhone). When she pulls up the list on her phone, there's my candy, organized by category.

There are other services similar to Ziplist, like Grocery iQ. While Grocery iQ doesn't allow you to add items straight from your computer, the interface might be more intuitive for some. Furthermore, it has free apps for both the iPhone and the Android platforms. Overall, I have found Ziplist far more robust and feature-rich, but since they're both free, they're both worth trying out.

So you're saying to yourself, "This is all fine and dandy, but how does it help me save money?"

A few ways:

1. You aren't likely to buy items you already have or forget items and have to spend time and money (on gas) going back to the store to get the missed items.
2. Having a list keeps you more efficient — and, as they say, time is money.
3. But most importantly, sticking to lists is one of the first lines of attack against impulse buys. If you'll commit yourself to your list (and coupons), you won't likely walk out of Costco with a greenhouse they tempt you to impulse-buy while you wait (and wait and wait) in one of the only two lanes they have open!

Next Friday, we'll focus on preparing for retirement. Spend wisely — and have a great weekend!

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