Coupon Queen: Online grocery shopping a game-changer

I'm a little late to the game. Online grocery shopping has been offered for years, but I finally joined the trend last week now that Aldi added online ordering with store pickup in my area. I was slow to give apps such as Instacart a try because the added fees, increased price of groceries and the tip just didn't fit my budget. I also honestly don't mind grocery shopping now that my boys aren't so little and I can shop alone. My sister-in-law, a working mother of two young kids, and my sister, who hates to grocery shop, have raved for years over this new way of shopping. My sister-in-law uses Walmart grocery pickup and loves ordering her groceries online, choosing a pickup time and having her groceries delivered right to her car. On the other hand, my sister uses Instacart where she creates her grocery list with the app, then someone chooses and delivers the groceries right to her front door. This new way of grocery shopping at stores such as Walmart, Beuhler's, Giant Eagle and Aldi has been a game changer for many people. While I probably won't be shopping like this every week, I think it will be something I use at least a few times a year for two main reasons. Using online ordering can be a time saver. Creating a list, trudging into the store, filling your cart, unloading food at the checkout and loading it into your car is a time killer. Add in children and this chore goes from dreaded to unbearable. Shopping online gives you flexibility and allows you to shop virtually anywhere, and at any time. This service also can save you time by allowing you to choose a pickup time that works for your schedule. No more roaming the store aisles, refereeing your children in the dairy department or rushing to finish before the store closes. This way of shopping also can be a money saver. Shopping for groceries online can help your budget stay on track by keeping you from those impulse buys that somehow make their way into your cart. With online ordering, sale items are included, prices are clearly marked and sometimes virtual coupons can be added to your order. Best of all, you can keep an eye on your subtotal with every item you add to your cart. If you go above your budget, simply adjust your list — no more surprises at checkout. With online ordering giving shoppers more flexibility when shopping, I expect online grocery shopping to only expand in the upcoming years. While using this way to shop most likely won't replace all your trips to the grocery store, it is something you may want to give a try. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Walgreens. Frito-Lays and Doritos chips — 3/$6 Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.