3 Ways to Save Time on Grocery Days

Image courtesy of Google Images.

     Cut the time you spend working on your day off!  I have spent so much time on my weekends cleaning, grocery shopping, and prepping for the next week that I'm missing the time to enjoy life.  There are three ways I've tried to reduce the amount of time I spend grocery shopping at least.

     According to the Time Use Institute in 2008 (I know dated info), the average amount of time an American spends between Saturday and Sunday is 44 minutes.  This is just in the store, it doesn't include the time preparing to shop, traveling to and from the store, and unpacking of the groceries.  

Personally, when I add in extra time for the baby I have to bring with me to the store, I'm spending upwards of 4 hrs on a Saturday "grocery shopping".  This is totally time I could be enjoying life.

     In efforts to remedy this situation, I've tried a few convenience companies that I thought would save me time.

1.  Diapers/Soap.com

     

This company provides basic household products (dry goods) and ships them right to you.  This would be fine, except that I spent 3 hours attempting to find coupons to use with the sight.  In the end I did save a significant amount of money, but I forgot the goal was to save time.  Oops.

2. Amazon Prime Pantry

I liked that the pantry items shipped to me.  It obviously saved me time from going out to shop.  The only personal issue was that I like to grocery shop as soon as I get my paycheck and thus get instant gratification.  I didn't get that feeling since I had to wait for the items to arrive.  Also, there is a yearly fee associated because it is a Prime feature.

3.  Martin's Groceries to Go 

Love it!  I can go through their entire stock and pick out what I want.  I can make substitution instructions incase my personal shopper has a problem locating the item I want.  That same personal shopper will make notes into the final e-mail once my order is complete.  I also get to get the groceries same day if I want to.  Or I can set up to pick them up later in the week.  I do have to drive to the store, but I don't have to get out of the car or load the car myself.  I kind of feel lazy for doing this.  However, I remind myself that using the service provides me more time with my family and I don't have to lug the baby in and out of the store.  Not that I lug her, I carry her with love and pride.  :)

So, if you are looking to enjoy the time in life more, try out some of these online shopping conveniences.  See if your local grocery stores will deliver or at least do the shopping for you.