Up until quite recently, grocery shopping online was considered somewhat of luxury.
However, just about anyone today can getting their weekly shopping done without having to lift much more than a finger.
The problem for many families looking to hold down their grocery budget remains: how can you effectively shop for groceries online without breaking the bank?
It’s a fair question. After all, the ease and accessibility of online groceries often comes with a price tag. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep your grocery bill under control and still get a bulk of the items you need without leaving the comfort of home.
So, where do you start?
Coupons and Deals
Think that clipping coupons is a task of the past? Think again.
While you don’t need scissors in order to save, there are a slew of coupons and deals out there for savvy shoppers willing to spot them. You should be vigilant when it comes to grocery coupons online, regardless of which platform you use. For example, you can use discounts such as a BigBasket coupon to knock a flat percentage off of your entire order online.
Make a List Beforehand
Shopping online can be daunting as there are so many items and options available that we’ve never seen in a physical store before. Therefore, it’s crucial to make a list before shopping online instead of browsing and putting every other item that catches your eye into your cart. Making a list will not only ensure that you stick to your budget, but also keep you from wasting food in the long-run.
Be Mindful of Serving Sizes
Since you’re not actually seeing the items you’re purchasing firsthand, it’s important to understand the serving sizes of what you typically purchase for yourself or your family.
For example, you may find breakfast cereals within the same price range between 12 and 33 ounces: that’s almost triple the size. Do you really need that much cereal? Again, awareness of servings can not only help you keep costs down but also avoid waste.
Stick to Non-Perishables
Generally speaking, buying items such a fresh fruit and meat online can get incredibly costly. For such items, you’re probably best suited for taking a small trip to a physical store to get exactly what you need to complement your online order.
While shopping online, stick to non-perishable items you’d find in the “central” part of a physical store and commit to small shopping trips to accommodate your needs for meat, fruit and dairy items. Likewise, keep your “perimeter” groceries in mind in regard to your budget so you’ll have enough cash on hand to spend on such items when you need them.
Don’t Get Burned by Shipping
Shipping costs can quickly add up depending on where you’re buying from. For example, some online grocers may charge by weight versus platforms such as Amazon Pantry which size up your items to fit in their virtual “box.” Regardless, be expected to pay a few bucks in shipping but don’t let such costs break your budget.
Grocery shopping online should represent an opportunity to get exactly the items you want while also keeping money in your pocket. By keeping an eye out for deals while shopping with a purpose, you can do just that with the click of your mouse.
