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How to Buy Groceries Online During Quarantine

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how to buy groceries online during quarantine

During this time of quarantine and social distancing with Covid-19, everyone is looking for safer ways to shop. We don’t want to unnecessarily risk our health, but we obviously need food and other items to live and be comfortable. The problem is: all of the retailers are overwhelmed, online and in stores. Everyone is eating and living at home right now. Delivery and pickup windows are limited, as is product availability. As an experienced online grocery shopper, I would like to share with you how to buy groceries online during quarantine.

Plan Ahead

Probably the biggest takeaway is to plan ahead. Because you may have to wait several days to get the items you need, you need to plan ahead. This is hard for many of us. Think about what items you need for meals. Honestly, cooking three meals a day at home has been a big change for me and our house, but we are adjusting (most days) and I am thankful to have the food at home to cook with. We are adding recipes to the Mom’s Priority website to help you find new recipes to eat at home.

Go for Healthy

Secondly, aim for healthy meals and snacks. Now is the time to spend the extra money and time on healthy fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need good nutrition to guard against this virus and other ailments to good health. With all of the extra time, we have expanded our vegetable and herb garden this Spring. I am looking for ways to incorporate more vegetables especially in our meals.

Be Patient

Third, be patient and realize that you will probably not get everything you need in one shopping “trip.” Items are out of stock in some stores and not in others. This shouldn’t last forever, but for now, you may need to shop multiple online retailers to get the items you need. Also, allowing for substitutes on items is a good idea right now.

Online Grocery Options- High Service

If you want to order online and have someone do the picking in the store for you, these are your best bets. Buy groceries online during quarantine with these companies.

Instacart

Instacart is a service that will pick up and deliver groceries from major stores, such as Publix, BJ’s, Costco, Aldi, etc. Once the order is placed, an Instacart shopper in the area will make the grocery run for the customer. Wait times with Instacart are typically about 2 days. You can purchase a $99 annual Instacart membership that will allow free grocery delivery for orders over $35. I would also consider that you may pay more for items bought through Instacart, and you should expect to tip well in this time of Covid19. Some items will be out of stock in the grocery stores, and you can give directions to your shopper as to allow substitutes.

Walmart Grocery and Curbside Pickup

When you use Walmart Grocery, you reserve a pickup time slot (do this first thing, before you go through the website to “shop”, to make sure a reasonable time slot is available) , then you order your items online through their website or app, and decide whether to allow substitutions or not. Once you have ordered your items, a day or two later you can go at your appointed time, pull up to the curb at your local Walmart (over 3,000 locations in the U.S. currently handle pickup services), and a Walmart associate will load the items into your car.

how to buy groceries online during a quarantine

Online Grocery Delivery via Mail

For online grocery, we buy perishable items and toiletries as much as possible online and have them delivered to our house. Pantry items, toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries, all are purchased online when available, and delivered right to our house. We use walmart.com, samsclub.com, and Amazon home page‘>Amazon has millions of grocery items, some delivered next day and some through their Whole Foods subsidiary. Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial‘>here.

Samsclub.com

Sam’s Club is a great place to purchase bulk toiletry and nonperishable food items. Also, you can schedule in-store pickup of your online order, but getting a time for pickup may be tricky right now.

Sam's Club

Other Online Grocery Options

There are many other smaller delivery services available, more than we have time to go into here. Retailers like FreshDirect, Shipt, Postmates, Thrive Market, Peapod, Sun Basket, and Boxed, among others, are great to check out for niche, gourmet, and organic items. You can see that we have been covering online grocery for many years, and this difficult time for us all is causing us to change habits and shop online for groceries. As the times continue to evolve check back here for more updates on how to safely and affordably shop for groceries online. One last thing, if you are new to online shopping, make sure you read this to keep your credit card information secure. Stay safe and healthy!

Freezer Friendly Muffins

These banana chip muffins are perfect for breakfast or a snack, and can be easily frozen for later.  Even better is pulling them out of the freezer later on and having the work already done!  Super easy, kid-friendly, and freezer-friendly, I wanted to share this banana chip muffin recipe to make your life easier!

 

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Easy Banana Chip Muffins

Kid Friendly Muffins

This is a wonderful, easy recipe to make when you have leftover ripe bananas.  The kids love these banana chip muffins, and they are SO simple to make.  Chocolate chips make them irresistible!  My son always says, “remember that time you made these muffins for my preschool class and everyone loved them?”  Haha!  From my picky eater, no less!

Freezer Friendly

I usually keep half of the recipe out for eating over the next few mornings and snacks.  You can freeze the other half by placing the banana chip muffins in a freezer zip bag.  Label with name and date!  Pull them out in 2 weeks or so, once your kids are craving them again.  They taste just as good, and you have an easy snack on hand!

Banana Chip Muffins

This is a wonderful, easy recipe to make when you have leftover bananas. The kids love these banana chip muffins, and they are SO simple to make. Chocolate chips make them irresistible!

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • tsp ¼salt
  • cup ½butter
  • cup ¾brown sugar
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 2 1/3 cups mashed over ripe bananas
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tins with liners.
  2. Mix butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time. Add mashed bananas.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Mix these dry ingredients in with the rest.
  5. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips.
  6. Scoop out into muffin tins, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min.
  7. Cool on a wire rack. These are great muffins to freeze for later!

Alert: Walmart Price Increases Online

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After all of my praise of Walmart, I am disappointed to share my experience with Walmart price increases online.  Have you noticed how Walmart offers two prices now on their website for grocery items?  The online price and the in-store price.  I knew it was a great possibility, but was so excited to be able to do the bulk of my shopping online this past year that I tried out Walmart online.  Now that prices are increasing online, I need to review how I shop in order to save money and time for our family.  I share with you today so you can be aware and do the same.

We are all looking to make the best decisions for our family, to make the most of our time and money.  Here is what you need to know about the Walmart price increases online.

Walmart price increases online

Higher Online Grocery Prices

Walmart is testing out different online pricing strategies in order to make their online operations profitable.  Right now, it seems they are charging around 20% more for groceries ordered online and delivered to your door.  A few months ago, you could receive the same products for the same low prices you received in stores.  I’ve confirmed this from a report from the Wall Street Journal.  For example,

This 30 oz box of Pepperidge Farm goldfish is $8.45 for 2 day shipping to your door.  It is $7.18 in the store or if you pick up at the store today.

Pepperidge Farm ® Goldfish ® Cheddar Baked Snack Crackers 30 oz. Carton

 

It makes sense for their business to do this; but, as a customer, I enjoy receiving Walmart packages to my door with no extra expense or effort- who doesn’t?!  Walmart is now pushing sales of items $10 and up through its online site, per this article from cnbc and others.  As 2018 progresses, you can expect to see a shift in affordable items at Walmart.com.  All of the online grocery suppliers are making shifts, though, as this market evolves.  As for us, we have to be aware of these changes and pay attention to prices so we can keep our priorities.

Two Prices to Choose From

While previously the prices were mostly the same in-store and online with delivery, now you can choose to pay the premium to have the item shipped to your house.  The price is significantly more, around 20% more in my experience.  However, you are not also paying shipping, as long as you spend $35 or more, so depending on your needs, you may still choose delivery.
Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC

A Third Option for Walmart Grocery

Originally, you shopped in stores for all groceries.  Over this past year, you have been able to shop online and have items delivered to your door.  Now, a third option is becoming more popular:  Online grocery ordering and curbside pickup.  This third option has become more popular (although my location almost always has plenty of availability for pickup times).  You receive the lower in-store price (currently, to my knowledge)  and you can make complete grocery trips including refrigerated items.  Who knows, however, how long this option will keep the lowest prices, though.

More Options with Competition

As we’re all aware, we have many options to order groceries through these days that are convenient for busy moms.  From Amazon’s wide offering, to Publix and other grocers offering the Instacart delivery service, to Kroger’s Clicklist, and others like FarmFresh, we have many options.  Read my review on the best prices for online grocery here.  But, none of these options is perfect or meets all of our needs.  We just have to choose the best option available for us.  According to the WSJ article mentioned above, Walmart is seeking to drive customers to its physical stores.  But, what if we don’t want to go inside?!!  My day is much more peaceful without a Walmart trip!  As I’m sure yours is as well.

With Walmart price increases online, it is difficult to form consistent shopping habits.  What are your thoughts on online grocery?  Is it something that you currently do, or plan to do in the future?

Egg Muffins for the Morning Win!

Busy Mornings

simple egg muffins for healthy morningsMornings as a mom are just busy; there is no getting around that!  But, we can plan in advance to make our mornings count.  Eating enough protein to feel full and fueled for the day is something I struggle with, so I started making these egg muffins. Maybe your breakfast routine is an area you also want to improve.

 

Simple Egg Muffins

These egg muffins are simple to make and can be made in advance.  I love to make up a batch of these, then put half in the fridge and half in the freezer.  In the morning,  I take out one or two egg muffins, microwave for about 30 seconds, and they are perfect!  They fill me up, give me the energy I need for my morning, and do not take any time to prepare.  My picky eaters do not like them, but my husband likes them and will eat if he takes the time.  They’re perfect for me, and as moms we have to remember to take care of our own bodies!

Try Your Favorite Combinations

What’s also great about these egg muffins is the recipe is pretty fool-proof (believe me, I know!).  If you like sausage instead of ham, great!  Or vary the cheese or veggies you put in them.  Try spinach and feta, or any other combination.  The secret is about 10 eggs per dozen muffins.  That is when you have a  space-filling ingredient like hash browns in them.  Also make sure you season them, just like you would scrambled eggs or omelets, so the muffins are not bland.  I like to make them with ham and cheese, but you can create your own combinations.

Best of luck starting the new year with a fresh perspective on healthy eating.  For other healthy recipes, see Healthy Kids Snacks and follow my Pinterest board.  To simplify even more, shop for ingredients online at walmart.com, and have items delivered or schedule a pickup. For more info about online grocery shopping, check out these posts:

Mom’s priorities are healthy food

Best Prices in Online Grocery?  You May be Surprised!

 

 

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Mom’s Priorities include Healthy Food for our Family

Mom’s Priorities 

Moms Priorities Healthy Food

Moms Priorities = Healthy Food

Hey moms, what are your priorities??  Surely, taking care of your family and yourself are among them.  With Mom’s Priority, you can easily shop organic, fair trade, and gluten-free food options for your family.  As we gain access to more technology and our world gets smaller, we can shop more easily with our priorities top of mind!  Isn’t it amazing?!  So now, for the moms with a child with celiac disease, you can easily find gluten-free options here.  For the moms trying to keep organic food options in the house, shop organic here.  And for those who care about how our foods are produced, fair trade!  These are just a few of the ways Mom’s Priority is using technology to help moms live their priorities!

And did I mention foods are delivered to your house for FREE (with $35 purchase) or ordered online and picked up, also FREE?  There is no better time to try online grocery shopping than now!  Shop through Mom’s Priority’s online shopping platform, write reviews for other moms, compare products, and collectively, we will impact the world.

Gluten-free Foods

Having a child or being an individual with special dietary needs is simply tough.  It becomes vital that healthy food decisions are made.  Mom’s Priority wants to help by providing access to healthy gluten-free foods.  Compare products and make informed decisions that help you as mom keep your priorities.  Shop through Mom’s Priority’s online shopping platform, find convenient and free delivery/pickup options, and live your priorities!

Organic Foods

Keeping healthy, organic, unspoiled foods in the house is difficult for busy moms (suggestions wanted!). The pre-packaged organic options help moms live our priorities, even on the busiest of days!  With free delivery or free pickup, our options are limitless.  It’s how we use our time and resources that counts.

Fair Trade

Considering fair trade products is important because our small purchases, especially if they become routine, can impact food producers around the world.  Many times, these are women.  When we choose fair trade products, we support a family with our purchases.  When we know the products (like coffee and chocolate) have been sourced ethically with people paid fair wages for their work, we impact the world.  Baby steps are going to make a difference, and this is just the start.
Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC

 

The goal of Mom’s Priority is to use technology to help moms live their priorities.  We do this by providing simpler and meaningful ways to shop, community among moms, and encouragement in the trenches of motherhood.  Healthy food options like gluten-free, organic, and fair trade are just a few of moms’ priorities.  Stop in our Facebook and Pinterest pages and be encouraged.  You, mom, are amazing!

Have feedback?  We are making changes daily and welcome your valuable feedback!  Email [email protected] with all suggestions for making this a more applicable and valuable product for you.


Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase.  For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

 

 

 

Who has the Lowest Prices in Online Grocery??

When we think of helping moms simplify so they can live their priorities, grocery solutions come to mind.  Moms, and often, dads, spend a significant amount of time gathering food for their families.  Not just at one store either!  So who has the lowest prices in online grocery?  We’ve compared prices at five different online grocery retailers, and you may be surprised at who comes in the overall lowest in price.

Online Grocery Price Comparison

Publix with Instacart

With Instacart, you can order your groceries online and have groceries delivered to your door by Instacart employees.  The delivery cost is $5.99 per delivery or $99 currently (regularly $149) per year for unlimited deliveries.  Publix does state that their prices are higher than in store to cover the cost of personal shopping.  Instacart offers same-day delivery, often within an hour or two of your online order being placed.  Additional fees may apply or one-hour deliveries or deliveries under $35.

Keep Reading…

Walmart Pickup Discount

Comparison Shopping Alert

In the market for a big item, like a TV?  Make sure you add Walmart.com into your comparisons.  Walmart announced yesterday that it is discounting about 10,000 items customers can purchase on the website, starting April 19.  The catch?  Have the item sent to a Walmart store for pickup.  Apparently, according to a Fox Business article, the discount is larger for bigger items, since they cost more to ship.  In particular, Walmart aims to reduce the costs associated with the last leg of delivery, to customer’s homes.  By offering Walmart pickup discount, you get the online selection you need to find the perfect TV, for example, and the discount is available when you pick up in store.

Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC

Walmart vs Amazon

It seems that Walmart is setting up a battle with Amazon for market share in a ton of consumer spending categories, including housewares and grocery.  Walmart’s website has notably improved in speed and convenience, but is still not near the one-click simplicity that is available on Amazon.  That being said, Walmart’s options and prices, especially when you consider ship to store discounts, are better and lower.  With the Walmart Pickup Discount, they are testing the theory of physical stores adding value to this online competition. As we read more from this Washington Post article and others, it will be interesting to see how the market changes.

How Mom’s Priority is Helping Moms

In the meantime, look to Mom’s Priority to provide you with solutions that help simplify your life and save you money, so you can live your priorities.  Moms hold incredible purchasing power that will become more obvious as shopping online continues to grow.  Shop through Mom’s Priority’s online shopping platform, write reviews for other moms, compare products, and have products shipped by online grocery stores like Walmart and Amazon.  Let us know how we can help you save money and live your priorities by commenting on Facebook or here!


Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase.  For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

Healthy Kids Snacks Recipes

Healthy Kids

Eating healthy, and particularly eating healthy snacks, is something we try to do and teach our kids!  Unfortunately and fortunately, kids’ habits are impressed upon them by their friends and peers.  I’ve seen it both good and bad for ours!  Our kids are picky eaters, so seeing their friends try new foods helps our cause some days!  On other days, our kids only seem to want junk food.  It’s a battle we constantly have to fight, as we raise up our children to become healthy and make good choices.  Here are two of our tried and true snack recipes.  Our kids love these!

Healthy Kids Snacks Recipes

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I’m trying for this first time this recipe format and also linking ingredients to items in our online store.  Once you click “Add to Cart,” you are taken to the product on the retailer’s page and place a delivery order!  How easy is that for getting groceries for healthy snacks to your home!

 

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