A stand-alone shopping list generator comprises a UPC scanner, a product database, a system controller, and a printer. The UPC scanner reads product identification codes encoded on UPC labels from exhausted products and sends the product identification codes to a system controller. The system controller retrieves product descriptions associated with the product identification codes from the product database. Product descriptions for scanned products are printed forming a shopping list.In a similar embodiment of the invention, an RFID reader replaces the UPC scanner, reading the product identification codes from products labeled with RFID tags.In another embodiment, a link delivers the shopping list to a personal digital assistant (PDA). In this embodiment, the shopping list is accumulated in non-volatile memory within the shopping list generator for later transfer to the PDA. Initiation of the transfer of the shopping list to the PDA may be by controls on the shopping list generator or may be initiated by the PDA. Clearing of the accumulated shopping list within the shopping list generator may be initiated by a dedicated control on the shopping list generator or by the PDA.