Lists are a Very Good Idea if, as you say, one remembers not to forget them!
I do plan menus in advance, and go round the house peering into cupboards, fridge, freezer and stores, checking food, toothpaste, loo rolls, cat food, washing machine detergent etc.
Luckily my brilliant husband takes charge, so I write the lists in French. He ticks off each item with a pen. He seems to know what we're running low on, and makes suggestions. He's an absolute angel!

He does the checkout (I have to rest on a seat) and trundles the lot back to the car. I sink into my passenger seat exhausted.

One of the indignities of ageing is that one gets tired rather easily. I always worry that he thinks I'm blooming lazy, but I reckon he understands.