Shared Lists and Chores: Data-Backed Shopping Insights, Tips, and Tricks
Listonic team
Updated on Mar 28, 2025
Did you know?
The surprising benefits of shopping together: what studies tell us
Long story short, research shows an undeniable connection between sharing shopping lists and improving such life areas as memory, organization, and reducing food waste.
👉 Sharing lists decreases impulse buys by 23%
If you don’t make your shopping lists regularly, it may be the best time to start. Believe it or not, but using a shopping list has been associated with a healthier diet and lower BMI among adults.
Decrease in impulse buys by 23%
Shopping lists act as a “shield” against impulsive buying by helping shoppers focus on predetermined needs rather than being influenced by in-store promotions or unhealthy food marketing.
Moreover, according to a study by Block and Morwitz, consumers who use shopping lists spend less time navigating stores because they focus on planned purchases rather than browsing. This reduces distractions and unnecessary wandering.
👉 Shopping together strengthens communication
Sharing makes things easier—it can also build trust and improve your relationships. In the study on debt concordance, it has been shown that sharing your financial management practices fosters joint decision-making, promotes transparency, reduces conflicts, and strengthens relationship satisfaction.
The same goes for sharing a shopping list, since you can track your grocery spendings.
💡TIP
👉 Sharing lists can help reduce food waste up to 25%
According to the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture, approximately one-third of all food in the United States goes uneaten.
Food waste reduced by 25%
While bulk buying can save money, it often leads to food waste if items are not consumed before expiration. Planning and creating shopping lists helps mitigate this risk by specifying quantities and ensuring proper storage practices. Moreover, a shopping list doesn’t always have to be about the things in the store — create a pantry list first to reduce buying products you already have.
Thanks to sharing these lists with family members or roommates, you can avoid overbuying or duplicating your purchases.
👉 Don’t forget the psychological impact
The modern world is full of distractions, and it’s no surprise that our brain is overloaded with all kinds of information.
Thankfully, according to this study on memory exercises, , creating a shopping list can work as a “cognitive offloading tool”, reducing mental load and freeing up brain capacity for other tasks, making grocery shopping more efficient and less stressful.
It’s natural to forget things, especially when they’re new.
A research conducted by Daniel Fernandes observed over 700 consumers and found that shopping lists minimize forgotten items, especially for unusual purchases. Lists serve as effective external memory aids, particularly when dealing with unfamiliar tasks.
For unusual purchases, this [bringing a shopping list] is a more effective approach because seeing the product will trigger the memory
Daniel Fernandes
How exactly does sharing lists help?
Last-minute item ideas, forgotten groceries, mixed-up brands…
With the list-sharing function, you don’t have to worry about any of them. Thanks to real-time updates and instant notifications, you’ll know exactly what to buy—and never forget anything.
✅ No forgotten items
Shopping should be simple. But how many times have you walked out of the store, only to realize you forgot something essential?
A shared list makes that problem disappear. The moment someone adds an item, it updates instantly—so you never have to rely on outdated lists or memory.
No extra messages. No extra trips. Just a smooth, streamlined way to get everything in one go. If you want to shop smarter, this is how you do it.
✅ Saves unnecessary calls
Missed calls, unread messages, and last-minute requests can turn a simple shopping trip into a headache. Loud stores, crowded aisles, and a packed to-do list make it easy to overlook a message
Instead of dealing with frantic texts or trying to remember what was needed, a shared list keeps everything updated in real-time. There’s no need to double-check or second-guess. You grab what’s on the list and move on. Shopping stays efficient, organized, and stress-free.
✅ Avoids impulse buys
Shopping without a list leads to impulse buys and forgotten essentials. Discounts, cravings, and tempting displays make it easy to grab things you don’t actually need. Before you know it, your cart is full, and your budget takes a hit.
A shared list keeps you focused and prevents unnecessary spending. You can also add notes and quantities to each item, making sure you get exactly what’s needed. When everyone adds details like “2 packs of rice” or “Tchibo coffee”, there’s no room for confusion. Stick to the list, save money, and make every grocery trip count.
✅ Gets your (or your partner) the right product every time
Finding the right product can be tricky, especially when brands and packaging look similar. A shared shopping list removes the guesswork by allowing you to see exactly what’s needed.
Adding photos ensures you pick the right brand, size, and type without second-guessing. No more back-and-forth messages or last-minute calls for clarification. Simply check the list, find the exact item, and shop with confidence.
Also, notes can help specify details like scent, quantity, or preferred packaging. This way, you avoid mistakes and unnecessary returns.
💡TIP
✅ Controls budget
Grocery bills can add up fast, and it’s easy to overspend without realizing it. A shared list helps you stay within budget by keeping track of what you’re buying.
Shared lists allow households to track spending collectively, ensuring that budgets are adhered to while accommodating individual preferences.
When everyone sees the budget in real time, it’s easier to make informed choices. Stick to the plan, avoid unnecessary expenses, and keep your grocery spending under control.
The easiest way to share grocery lists
- Open the list you want to share
- Tap the sharing icon
- Enter the email address of your shopping partner
🔒You’re in Control of Your Data
The 3+ other ways to use shared lists
Creating a list is universal, but all of them can be easily shared.
Special occasions
Hosting a party? Share a list and let everyone contribute. Guests can see what’s needed, check off items, and add suggestions in real time.
No duplicate snacks, no forgotten essentials. Food, drinks, decorations, and activities stay on track effortlessly. Whether it’s a small gathering or a big celebration, a shared list makes planning smooth.
Stocking a complete pantry
Keeping track of pantry essentials can be tricky. Without a system, you may end up buying things you don’t need or missing key ingredients.
A shared list solves this problem by keeping everyone updated in real time. Instead of noting what to buy, try reverse shopping. Simply mark what’s already in stock and check it off once you run out of it. This way, your partner, roommates, or family always know what’s available and what needs restocking. No duplicate purchases, no wasted food, no last-minute grocery runs. A well-managed pantry saves money and streamlines meal planning.
Travels & packing
Going abroad? Organizing a local trip? Do it together with your travel buddies.
A shared list keeps everything organized, from passports and chargers to travel pillows and snacks.
Need to book flights, accommodations, or plan activities? Add them to the list and track everything in one place. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a long adventure, a shared checklist keeps plans clear and simple. Pack smart, stay organized, and enjoy the journey!
So much more than a list
A to-do list keeps things organized, but a shared list takes it to the next level. Whether it’s managing household chores, coordinating projects, or planning trips, everyone stays on the same page. No scattered notes, no forgotten tasks—just a clear plan that updates in real time.
Want to create a bucket list with a friend? Add dream destinations, experiences, or goals, and check them off together. From daily tasks to long-term plans, a shared list keeps everything in one place.
Whatever you’re working on, a shared list helps you stay organized, motivated, and ready to accomplish more.
Need help?
No, you don’t need a Listonic account to share a list. Just download the app and start sharing instantly. No sign-ups, no setup—just create a list, add items, and send it to others. They can view and edit in real time, keeping everything up to date. Whether for groceries, events, or household tasks, sharing works seamlessly.
Absolutely. Items appear instantly, so the other person always knows what to buy. Whether you're adding last-minute essentials or they’re already shopping, everything stays in sync. No duplicates, no forgotten items, no confusion. A simple way to make shopping faster and easier.
As many as you want — no limits. Keep separate lists for groceries, meal planning, travel, or household essentials. Organize daily shopping, track special occasions, or plan events with ease. Keep everything in order, and reduce clutter. Simple, flexible, and always in sync.
If you and the other person have a registered Listonic account, you can share the lists via email address. To do that, open your list and click on the sharing button at the top. Then, type in the email address of the other person in the search box. Remember: everyone who shares the list via email must have a registered Listonic account.
If you want to send a list via text message, follow the same steps as before. Instead of typing the email address in, use other options visible on the screen: WhatsApp, text message, or simply copy the link and send it via your preferred application.
If you want to stop sharing a list with someone, click on the letter icon at the top of the list. Then, click on the green box ‘Shared’ next to the name of the person you shared the list with. You will see a ‘Remove member?’ box with the possibility to stop sharing the list.
Want to know more?
Listonic is more than just a basic shopping list—it’s a smart, feature-packed tool designed to make grocery shopping easier and more efficient. Users can:
- add prices to products & calculate the total
- categorize & sort items
- get product suggestions
- add photos and notes to help avoid brands mixup
- add products with voice input that supports quick list creation
List sharing helps divide shopping tasks between partners or family members, so one person can shop while the other stays with the kids. It also speeds up the shopping process by keeping the list organized, prioritized, and accessible on a phone—no flipping through papers.
You can add photos or notes for specific items to avoid confusion. With a shared list, you can also delegate parts of the list to older children and involve them in the process without losing control over the budget.
List sharing ensures everyone in the household knows what needs to be bought—and just as importantly, what doesn’t. It prevents duplicate purchases and unnecessary items that might go bad before being used.
Real-time syncing helps account for last-minute changes, like if someone already picked up milk earlier in the day. This coordination leads to more intentional buying, better meal planning, and ultimately less food being thrown away.
A digital list is always up to date, easy to edit, and instantly shareable with others. It syncs in real time, so you can coordinate shopping without needing to call or text.
Unlike paper lists, you won’t lose it, and you can sort items by category, store, or priority. Price tracking, photos, quantities, and notes are features a paper list can’t match. You also reduce waste by going paperless and avoid rewriting lists each week—just copy, edit, and reuse.
Listonic team
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