The Frugal Family: Benefits of the Virtual Grocery Store

To continue last week's discussion on When Shopping and Kids Don't Mix, let's discuss a topic a few readers mentioned:  grocery shopping. For those who have gone the online grocery shopping route, you know it saves time, money, and the few shreds of sanity parenting has left behind.

For those who haven't tried it, let me regale you with reasons why I love online grocery shopping.

The retailer I use, Safeway, has eliminated the need to keep a shopping list. Past orders are saved in their system, making it easy to add items to the cart from the order history page. I no longer wrack my brain trying to figure out what item I'm forgetting and I don't randomly buy items to compensate for what I've forgotten.

I've found that it's easier to identify and compare cost per unit online. I don't have to be the jerk in the grocery store blocking products while struggling to do the math converting pounds to ounces. I can comparison shop and get a good deal in the comfort of my own home, which is also very nice for my sleep deprived mommy brain.

Items on sale are highlighted and categorized. I can browse the sales category and the "buy one, get one free" offers before I do anything else. I saved $26 on my $140 Safeway order this week between sales and a free shipping coupon, and I didn't buy anything that I wouldn't normally buy.

Order totals are calculated as I go, helping me stick to my budget and avoid the embarrassment of asking the clerk to put items back in store (yes, I've actually had to do that).

You've probably heard the money saving tip "don't shop while hungry." Online, this is not such a problem as there are no end caps placed strategically or tempting aromas wafting from the bakery. I just type in the name of the vegetable I want and go straight to it, so my sweet tooth won't hold as much sway over the final tab.

As I've said before, kids have uncontrollable impulses and many of us parents will do anything to avoid making a scene, including buying toys and goodies they don't need. If I'm at home shopping online and a tantrum erupts, it's no problem because I can save my shopping cart and come back later without needing to repeat all the work I just did.

Everyone knows that "time is money" but energy is also a hot commodity. It's much faster to navigate between aisles virtually than it is to deal with cart traffic in the stores. (Does anyone else think grocery stores need traffic lights?) I can get my shopping done from bed, at work, or in front of the television and relax while doing so. That is almost better than saving money!

Do these ideas ring true for your family? Do you have additional tips for keeping within your grocery budget?

Crystal Ritchie lives and blogs in San Francisco with her preschooler son Jack and her partner in crime/fiance David. She loves to share stories, tips, and tricks related to the parenting gig. When she is not parenting, writing as the San Francisco City Guide Editor for Savvy Source and on her personal blog, Ewokmama.com, or scoping out awesome deals, she can be found working at a software company in her favorite city.