A fabric shopping tip

It is so easy to get a little crazy in a fabric store. You might not know how much fabric a certain pattern requires, so you guess and buy what you hope is a little extra. Or you might get distracted by a fabric that you don't really have to have, but want to add it to your stash anyways. Next thing you know, your stash is questionably hoarder status and you've blown money that you shouldn't have spent. I know, I've been there.

One thing I have learned, and this is nothing groundbreaking, is to spend ten or fifteen minutes before leaving the house and put together a list. I have found that when I have a list I am better prepared for shopping. That's what lists are for, right?

On my list I will write:

• The pattern name
• Recommended fabrics
• The amount needed for 45 inch and 60 inch bolts. 

Seeing this in front of me keeps me in check, helps me avoid spending $$$$$, and prevents me from straying from what I came in to buy. Willpower is also required. Plus, I like to add notes, so it's easy to quickly scribble what I ended up getting and how it should be washed.

Nothing in this post is particularly mind blowing, but I thought I would share anyway :) Do you shop with a list, photos from a phone, or another method? Or no method at all?