Running With Perseverance

Whenever a friend gets a new iPhone and asks what apps they should get, I always suggest the Tap Grocer grocery list app by Purkee. It is completely customizable and so easy to use–I really love it!

To make your list, you use the “Inventory” screen:

If you need something you’ve bought before, you just tap on the icon so it reads “Out.” If you need to add something new to your list, you tap on the “+” and it brings up a screen where you can enter the item name and “Section” category. There also are options to specify the size or number of an item.

You can create whatever Sections you need and–so cool!–rearrange them so they match the layout of your grocery store. I always start in the produce aisle and then encounter the meat section at the back of the store, so my Sections are organized like this:

When you are at the grocery store, you use the “Shopping List” screen:

As you add items to your cart, you “cross them off your list” by tapping on them. When you are almost done, you can clear the screen of finished items, so you can easily see what is left to find.

Another cool feature: when you cross off an item on the Shopping List, its status in the Inventory screen automatically changes from “Out” to “Stocked.” That way your Inventory list is reset for your next trip.

You even can email your shopping list–which I’ve done a few times when my daughter was willing to go to the store before I got home from work.

One thing I really like about this app is that you don’t have to re-write your grocery list every week. The Inventory screen keeps a list of everything you usually buy, and you can quickly go down the list and tap on what you need. The Inventory list is also a good reminder of the things we like to have on hand–I might not think about buying the cereal my son eats, but when I see it on the list I remember to check to see if we need a new box yet.

The current price for this app is $2.99. I don’t have many apps that I’ve paid more than 99 cents for, but this is one of them that is more than worth it.

**Tap Grocer App Giveaway**

The generous people at Purkee have given me several coupon codes to offer to my readers in a giveaway, but they expire soon (August 29, 2011). So, if you have an iPhone now and are ready, willing and able to download an app , here’s how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment and let me know what you always forget to buy when you go grocery shopping.
2. Send this Tweet and leave a comment saying that you did:

Check out the TapGrocerApp giveaway @Got2Run4Me http://wp.me/p131gw-EU 

One comment per entry, up to two entries per person.

I will select one winner a day from entries received by midnight east coast time on each of August 22-August 26. Make sure your comment includes an email address where I can reach you!

**FTC Notice** I paid for my own Tap Grocer app. After I drafted this post I reached out to Purkee, and they provided coupon codes with no influence over the content of this review. The review here reflects my own personal opinion of this product.