Online grocery shopping can save you hours every week whether you use a delivery service, get them shipped, or drive thru to pick them up. Learn how to buy exactly what you need and automate your order.
This is part of our 31 Things Every Working Mom Needs series. To read all the posts in order, visit the introduction post to see the outline for the whole series.
When I leave work, I’m usually mentally spent. Combine that with being hungry and tired. Then, I go pick up a child who may or may not be hungry and tired.
This is a recipe for disaster.
My post-work grocery store trips with my daughter usually go like this… My daughter asks for something we don’t NEED and is not on my list. I said no. Persistent reasoning goes on for five minutes.
I’m normally harried, impatient, and frustrated between 4pm and 6pm, if I’m in the grocery store. I’m rushing, I’m hungry, and I’m generally not very nice…especially if I have her with me.
She doesn’t care about my “list” or “budget.” All she knows is that she wants a new tube of toothpaste. She then decides that she needs a new toothbrush and mouthwash, too.
Related: Grocery Shopping Bootcamp (You Know You Need It!)
Ways to Prevent Needing To Go To The Grocery Store After Work (Especially With Children)
Trust me when I tell you, do all you can to prevent yourself from needing to go to the grocery store as soon as you get off of work… especially with children. This is especially true if you have kids between age two and about 10.
Younger than that and they’re just mesmerizing by riding through the store. Older than that and they are interested in grocery shopping.
Here are ways you prevent those trips:
- go before you pick up the kids
- go after you take the kids home
- send your husband
- send an older child
- order online
Related: How Can I Save Money on Groceries Without Spending a Lot of Time?
P.S. If you have a baby, grab your Free Sample of Huggies Little Snugglers here.
Why Consider Online Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping is a necessary evil. We all have to do it. I have found that grocery shopping causes the least headaches when paired with a simple plan. (Grab my free, printable grocery shopping list here.)
How do you get groceries if I’m suggesting that you skip going into the grocery store? Online grocery shopping to the rescue!
Related: 10 Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons
What Should Be on Your Online Grocery Shopping List?
Essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, cleaning supplies and such can be ordered online. You can get most things within a few days. Just think, your house can be fully stocked by the end of the week if ordered by Wednesday.
Related: Make Shopping Fast & Painless with a Free Printable Grocery Shopping List
Where to Buy Groceries Online
- your local grocery store
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Sam’s Club
- Net Grocer
- Jet.com
- Boxed
- ShopFoodEx
Why Buy Groceries Online?
I love shopping online. No lines. No whining kids in shopping carts. No traffic. Other benefits:
- It saves times going from store to store looking for an item.
- Order hard to find spices and vitamins online.
- Save time searching in stores for an exact size or brand.
- You can still use printable coupons at many stores.
Bonus Tips for Ordering Groceries Online
I’ve been trying to do more online ordering these days, so I went to the Sam’s Club website to place my order. I ordered on a Sunday and they arrived a few days later.
Free shipping on select products. No need to shop in-store. Have your order shipped right to your front door. If you’d rather pick up your order, instead of waiting for delivery, order online and pick up in-store. No waiting!
Save time with subscriptions. Subscribe and get your must-haves shipped on a regular schedule of your choice. Easily reorder. Choose frequently ordered items, create a list online, or upload a spreadsheet.
When I log in to place my order, items pop up in the frequently ordered section. This makes it really quick and easy to generate a new order of the items we need the most.
So there you have it. Work-life balance isn’t always easy, but there are always things we can do to lighten our load.
I’ve been doing more and more grocery shopping online! So far the no waiting is my favorite part!
I was just saying last night that we need to look into on-line grocery shopping! I had to click over and se your tips.
Great ideas!! Our To grandma’s house we go link party starts over at our place tomorrow morning, would love to see you there!
Some of these companies I have never heard of before. I was fully expecting you to talk about the monthly food programs. However, these are even better options. I did think about Google Express because it’s fairly new and would fit well with your list.
Thank you for sharing this with us on the Motivation Monday Party. I’m glad that we are co-hosts with this party.
online shopping its really save the time to find any product in a few minutes and also provide a lot of brands option to select products.