How to Do Grocery Shopping Online

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By moonhawk
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Food Delivered at the Click of a Mouse!

Do you have a love-hate relationship with grocery shopping? Do you often find yourself unprepared to go to the store (don't have your list, don't have your coupons)? Do you make impulse purchases and walk out wondering how you spent so much money or bought items that, well, didn't exactly fit your diet plan? Online grocery shopping may be your salvation!

Making the switch to online grocery shopping takes a little getting used to. You can choose to do online shopping for your food all of the time or just some of the time. But once you get the hang of it, it's a real time-saver! Here's how it works . . .

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Shopping List
Recipes (to make sure you have all your ingredients)
Computer with Internet connection

Step 1

Find out if any of your local grocery stores offer online shopping. If you don't see your local stores in the Resource List below, look up your store on the Internet or talk to the Customer Service folks at the store next time you stop in to find out if (and when) they will offer online shopping services. Another option is a national service such as Netgrocer (listed below).
Step 2

If you locate a store you can shop at online, research their web site to become familiar with all its features. Each online grocery store works a little differently. You will need to create a free online account at the store, with a user name and password.
Step 3

Before you make your first foray into online shopping, check your refrigerator, freezer and cabinets to find out what staple items you are out of and what you are low on. Put those items on your shopping list. Then, plan your menu for the week, keeping in mind your family's likes and dislikes. This is a bit time-consuming but this discipline pays off in targeting your shopping and eliminating the need to wonder every day, "what are we having for dinner?"
Step 4

Get into the habit of making a weekly shopping list, planned around a menu that allows you to "cook once, eat twice" (that is, cook once and get at least two meals out of that food). Most online grocery stores allow you to "save" your favorite items in a personalized "shopping list" which will make your future shopping even easier.
Step 5

Many online grocery stores are organized into the "aisles" you're accustomed to in a real store, so you can "browse online" by aisle, or you can seek out specific items by category, or you can look for items that are on sale that week. Some even provide recipes for you!
Step 6

Armed with your shopping list, get going! Start putting food, cleaning supplies, pet food - whatever you need - into your "shopping cart." Many online grocery stores allow you to watch your "totals" as you shop so you can keep an eye on your budget.
Step 7

Once you have selected all the items you want, look for the "checkout" feature. You will be asked for your payment preference, and in most cases, if you choose to pay by a credit card, that information will be securely saved for your next online shopping trip.
Step 8

After you have arranged your payment, you will be asked about your delivery preferences. Select your preferred delivery time and indicate whether you prefer an "attended delivery" (while you are at home) or if you would accept an "unattended delivery" (food can be left in secure containers if you are not at home, complete with special bags for frozen foods). Stores that provide unattended delivery simply pick up the special containers when they make their next delivery.
Step 9

That's it! Once you've done this a few times, it becomes second nature, and if you're lucky you only have to go to the store for emergencies! Happy online shopping!

How to Do Grocery Shopping Online

Things You'll Need:

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