Does anyone know if there is a handheld device for making a grocery list?

Question

I know there are PDA devices, but I want to find my mother a simple handheld portable device for making notes. It must be small so she can carry it in her purse. NO, my mother does not like portable phones. Maybe, if I can get her to using a portable device for listing and notes she will start using a portable phone. It took a year if not more before she would use a VCR now she makes sure it is set for her soaps. If anyone knows of a small inexspensive device for me to introduce her to for grocery listing I would appreciate it. I want her to start carrying a phone.

Answer 1

I do not know of a device like that, however it would be quite handy! If your mom will use a computer there are some pretty cool websites to help with a grocery list, here is one:
http://www.prairienet.org/~tatwell/grocery.html
I hear you about the phone, I worry about my mom too and she also won't carry a phone; I guess they don't like technology and change!

Answer 2

Most tasks can be done on a 5 oz. instant-on device that can fit in your shirt pocket. This can be either a PalmOS handheld device, or a Dell Axim that uses Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS. Carrying a handheld with you at all times gives you the opportunity to make a note or refer to something at any time like a grocery list for instance which can be drawn up on a free program (HandyShopper) on your handheld device. HandyShopper and similar programs are available for both Windows Mobile and PalmOS PDAs.

Now that you got all the information that you need I must say that when reading you inquiry I get the feeling as though your mother would be better off with a good old pen and paper than a handheld device unless she has straightforwardly come out to you and say, “Boy, I wish I had a PDA, a Blackberry, something. It would sure make my grocery listings a lot easier.”

However, if you do take that route in bringing technology into your mother’s life may I suggest that you take the time to instruct her the ins and outs rather than just handing the device over to here saying, “Here you go!” then walk out of the room. Gadgets for some are too complicated what with 3G, Bluetooth and MP3 to name a few. Some are even too small and too expensive but let’s go back to the “too small” concern for as people age their eyesight weakens and reading something off of a tiny screen to them isn’t doable.

All in all, honestly, if one can’t pick up a device and have a general understanding of how to use the device in the way its intended within 10 minutes, then the gadget is worth nothing. A good device to the consumer is one that is easily understood, visually appealing in both design and style, and can perform its function well, both efficiently and effectively. It’s a basic law of consumerism.

paaatches –If you can make your mother feel comfortable with such a device they hey, go for it otherwise a pen and paper will do.

Answer 3

Cheapest and easiest to figure out and handle would be a clean sheet of paper or a small notebook and a pencil. If she uses a sheet of paper she could fold it to make it small. Small lined notebooks are available and some have pretty covers with flower or animal or smart geometric designs and fashion colors.
She can stick her grocery list in the little slot in her purse where they make a slot for cell phones nowadays, until you convince her to carry a phone. She can use another of her larger zipped compartments in her purse to store her pencil.
They can both be quickly and easily located and retrieved from her purse once she gets to the grocery store and locates a push cart.
A phone is a good idea, though, if only for safety.

Answer 4

I would suggest the cheapest Palm if she is a technical illiterate. They have an application called notes (or something I don't recall the exact name.) I have seen them for as chaep as $50, or cheaper online. It may help her get into toys, and take the burden off of you from explaining.

Answer 5

a pencil and paper seems to fit into your criteria for the device..

Answer 6

You could try a small paper notebook and pencil!