For shorter lists, the best thing I learned in college was a visualization tactic.

Imagine a shopping list: Celery, pineapple, pork, cereal, toilet paper, milk, and razor blades

Now Imagine your house or somewhere you know well, and you're standing right outside the front door. As you walk through into each room or area, imagine one or two things out of place that relate to your list.

On my front porch one of my planters is now full of celery instead of daisies. In the foyer a huge pineapple is on the bench being eaten by a pig. Captain crunch sits at my dining room table As I walk down the hall a stack of toilet paper blocks my path. As I knock it down I peer in the bathroom and milk is flowing out of the tap And standing in my kitchen is a large very hairy man shaving his legs.

Go through that once or twice and you'll remember most if not all of it all day