Mamas, You Need to Try Online Grocery Shopping

Online shopping is nothing new. But have you tried online grocery shopping?

Mamas, this is a game changer.

I recently ordered groceries online from our local grocery store. We had flown in late the night before from a weekend away and I had to be at work early. Our fridge was bare but the last thing I wanted to do was grocery shop on a Monday after work. I also couldn’t stand the idea of take out for yet another meal. Thankfully I remembered seeing something about online grocery shopping at my local store.

The result? It was a dream! I ordered my groceries online in the morning and picked them up on my way home from work. My local grocery store has a designated parking area for online orders. When you get there you send a text and let them know your name. Your groceries are then carried out to your car and placed inside. Some places will also deliver your groceries for a fee. Delivery is an awesome service, but be sure to plan ahead as there is usually an ordering deadline (i.e. 10 pm the night before).

If you’ve never tried shopping for your groceries online, here are my top reasons on why you should give it a try:

1. Convenient and Efficient.
I already discussed how convenient it was to click, submit and pick up my groceries. I can see this becoming a regular thing in the colder months and busy weeks. No need to unload the kids, fight them through the aisles and then reload them into the car. We are all busy so this is a great way to use our time efficiently. It’s fast and easy to use.

Another feature that I love is that several retailers save your past purchases. For example, my local grocery store has a My Pantry category. All products that I have purchased in the past are listed there. It is so convenient to add staples and foods that I buy each week to my cart. I can also create a shopping list for future reference.

2. Save Money.
Online grocery shopping is also a fantastic way to save money. No impulse buys as things aren’t as pretty or exciting on a computer screen. It’s easy to stick to my list and not be tempted by the new, seasonal products.

Another feature is that you can see the price of items in the cart before you complete the purchase. You can easily modify to stay on budget. No more being surprised when your bag of apples is 10 pounds and costs $15.

3. Avoid Meltdowns.
We’ve all been there. Toddler sees somethings he’s gotta have and starts melting down when you say no. Avoid that melt down by not having to set foot in the store. Honestly, this may be the number one reason to do it!

4. Pre-Select.
This is a feature that will come in handy for hosting parties, dinners and events. It’s nice to shop for food a few days in advance of parties, but certain items (seafood, meats) need to be fresh and bought last minute. Save yourself the stress of last minute shopping by preordering what you need. On the day of the party, you’ll just have to drive up or have your groceries delivered to your door. This leaves you time to focus on other party prep to-do’s. I can also see this being helpful before a vacation. Schedule the groceries to be ready for when you’re back in town.

If you’re ready to give online grocery shopping a try, check out one of these retailers: