There are some weeks when grocery delivery sounds like one of the best ideas ever invented.
You make your list, place the order, and a little while later the groceries show up at your door.
No driving to town. No pushing a cart through crowded aisles. No standing in line. No realizing halfway through the store that you forgot what you came in for.
For a busy household, that can feel like a pretty big win.
But I also understand why grocery delivery is not for everyone.
I still like choosing my own produce. I like being able to compare prices as I shop. Sometimes I change my meal plan when I see what is on sale. And there are certain things I would simply rather pick out myself.
So is grocery delivery worth it?
I think the answer depends on what you need most that week.
When Grocery Delivery Makes Sense
There are seasons when convenience matters more than anything else.
Busy school schedules, sports, appointments, work, farm responsibilities, bookkeeping, errands, and everything else that fills a week can make a trip to the grocery store feel like one more thing you have to squeeze in.
That is where delivery can really help.
Even if there is a delivery fee or tip involved, saving an hour or two of my time may be worth it.
And that is something I think we sometimes forget to factor in. We look at the delivery fee and ask whether it costs more, but there is value in the time we save too.
What could I do with those extra couple of hours?
Finish the farm books. Catch up on laundry. Prep supper. Spend time with family. Get something else crossed off the list. Or maybe just sit down for a little while.
My time has value too.
But a Meal Plan + Grocery Delivery? That’s the Real Winner
For me, this is where grocery delivery can become especially helpful.
Combining a meal plan AND grocery delivery is the real winner.
Instead of opening a grocery app and randomly adding things to your cart, start with the meals you actually plan to make.
Look through the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer first. Decide what is for supper for the week. Then order the ingredients you are actually missing.
Now you have eliminated two of the biggest weeknight headaches at once:
What are we having for supper?
and
Do I have what I need to make it?
Your meals are planned, your groceries are ordered, and you have saved yourself a trip to the store.
That is the kind of convenience that can actually make the rest of the week feel easier.
And if figuring out what to make is the part that slows you down, that is exactly why I create my Farm Wife Favorites meal plans and kitchen guides - - simple, realistic ideas designed to take some of the decision-making out of busy weeks.
You can browse the meal plans and guides right here in my shop, and watch for the September Meal Plan dropping very soon! 🤍
Grocery Delivery Can Also Help With the Budget
It might sound backwards since delivery can come with added fees, but ordering groceries can sometimes help keep the grocery bill under control.
When you are not walking through every aisle, there is less temptation to toss extra things into the cart just because they caught your eye.
You can see your running total before you check out, remove something if the total is getting higher than you planned, and compare options without feeling rushed.
Pair that with a meal plan and you are shopping with a purpose instead of buying a cart full of food and figuring out later what to make with it.
When I Would Rather Shop Myself
There are still plenty of reasons to head to the store.
Fresh produce is probably the biggest one for me. I like choosing tomatoes, lettuce, fruit, and other fresh foods myself.
I also like checking the markdowns, comparing sizes, watching for unexpected sales, and making little changes to my meal plan when I find a good deal.
And sometimes grocery shopping is simply easier when you can see everything in front of you.
That is why I do not think it has to be all or nothing.
Grocery Pickup Might Be the Happy Medium
If delivery feels a little too expensive but you still want to save time, grocery pickup can be a great compromise.
You still make your meal plan and order everything from home, but you pick the groceries up yourself.
You avoid walking through the entire store and usually save quite a bit of time while still keeping some of the control over when you get your groceries.
For many families, that may be the sweet spot.
The Real Question: What Is My Time Worth This Week?
I do not think there is one right way to grocery shop.
Some weeks, going into the store makes the most sense.
Some weeks, pickup wins.
And some weeks, having someone leave the groceries at the door may be exactly what keeps everything running a little more smoothly.
The question I am trying to ask myself more often is not simply:
“Is grocery delivery worth the extra few dollars?”
It is:
“What is my time worth this week?”
If I can make a meal plan, order exactly what we need, skip a trip to town, and gain a couple of hours back in an already full week, that may be money well spent.
That is really what simplifying home life is about — not doing everything the same way every week, but choosing what works for the season you are in.
And when a meal plan and grocery delivery work together, you are not just saving a trip to the store.
You are taking the guesswork out of supper too.
For a busy week, that might be the biggest win of all. 🤍
If simplifying meals sounds good right now, take a look through the Farm Wife Favorites meal plans and kitchen guides while you’re here. And stay tuned - - the September Meal Plan is coming very soon!
What works best at your house - - grocery delivery, pickup, or shopping in the store? And have you ever tried pairing grocery delivery with a weekly meal plan?
Have a wonderful day!
~ Kelley