I am one of those shoppers that runs into the supermarket for one item and walks out with a trolley full of items I do not need, and quite often, forgetting the item I went in for!
Supermarkets are experts in marketing strategies. Their isles are carefully designed to entice us, wear down our willpower, and trick us into thinking we are buying a bargain.
So, when online grocery shopping was introduced, I was an instant convert, apart from being a bit of a gadget girl, I also found it less stressful and much easier to control my spending.
Below are some of the pros and cons that I have found as an online grocery shopper:
Benefits:
Budget: I can keep an eye on my shopping trolley total and if it is over my budget, I can remove unnecessary items.
Online shopping list: it is so easy to add an item to my trolley as soon as I run out or simply check the pantry to see what I need.
Convenience: I can shop anywhere I have a device.
Freebies: Many times, I have collected my groceries to find a freebie has been added, last week it was a 2 litre of milk.
Upgrades: It is not unusual to find meat and produce weigh more than what I have paid for.
Downsides:
Shopping list: It does take time to set this up but once all your groceries are in your shopping list(s) you are ready to go.
Out of stock: Items I need are not always in stock at my chosen store.
Incomplete order at delivery or collection: Sometimes my order cannot be completed as the items were unavailable or could not be substituted.
Specials at other supermarkets: an item your buying online could be cheaper or on special at other supermarkets
Cost of delivery: It can be a bit expensive to have your groceries delivered. However, I am a ‘Click & Collect’ shopper and as my groceries are always over $50 this is a free service.
In my opinion, there is much to like about online grocery shopping, and you have a lot of control at your fingertips. Hopefully, it will help you stick to your grocery budget.
