Everyday Cheapskate

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Everyday Cheapskate

Thu, 03/26/2020 - 23:45
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There are few things more annoying than stopping at the supermarket to pick up a few things and hauling bags of groceries into the house only to discover you have nothing for dinner. Or putting everything away only to realize you totally forgot the one thing that prompted you to stop at the store in the first place.

Online grocery shopping isn’t for everyone. But if you are prone to impulse shopping or regularly go way over what you intended to spend on groceries for the week, shopping for your groceries online might actually save you money. Online grocery shopping has actually become a total game changer for me.

NO MORE IMPULSE BUYS

There’s something about a grocery store that opens the door to my inner 6-year-old. Oh, look! Donuts, flowers, fresh corn on the cob! Wow, I forgot I need a new Bundt pan. My best intentions are tested and rarely come out the winner. But discovering that I can do my grocery shopping online has put my inner impulsive self into an extended period of hibernation.

FINDING THE OPTION THAT IS ACTUALLY CHEAPER

I’m still stunned by how cool it is to sit at home with my laptop and have the entire contents of my supermarket at my fingertips. I can search for specific items, and, with a single click, see my options — including price, size and product label — so I can make the best choice.

WATCHING MY REAL BALANCE, NOT AN ESTIMATE I HAVE IN MY HEAD

Sitting in front of my computer and placing items into my online cart, I can watch my running balance and exactly what I have in the cart. I don’t get that unexpected surprise at check-out. It’s easy to “put things back” when I see the balance climbing needlessly.

GETTING THE BEST DEALS WITHOUT FEELING PRESSURED

Sitting at home alone, it’s easy to plan the week’s menus. I can check the pantry, fridge and freezer so I’m not rebuying what I have already. I have time to make good choices.

I can read recipes, price ingredients and, most importantly, change my mind.

TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF DEALS AND COUPONS

My supermarket, King Soopers, which is part of the Kroger family of stores, has all kinds of deals going on that change every week. And I can stack those sales and deals with any coupons I might have — and that goes for both online and in-store shopping. They make it so easy.

PAYING REASONABLE FEES

Walmart and Kroger stores are two national chains offering online grocery shopping. Both offer either pickup, where you have an appointed time to pick up your order, or home delivery.

There is a $4.95 delivery fee for Kroger stores (after your first three online orders, which are free), and pickup is always free. There is a $30 minimum purchase requirement for all Walmart grocery orders, and pickup is always free. Both Kroger and Walmart have policies that their employees are not allowed to accept tips. I gratefully opt to pay the $4.95 fee in order to not spend untold amounts of money on impulse and needless purchases.

Delivery fees vary, so check carefully before you opt for home delivery. Tipping the delivery driver is customary for most stores, so make sure you add this in as part of your overall expense.