I forgot the bananas.
Pulling out of the grocery store parking lot with a van full of food and three very young kids in tow, I realized the horrifying truth just as the gray clouds gave way to the drizzle they’d been holding back all day. The kids were tired and cranky. I was tired and cranky. There was literally zero chance of me finding another parking space, unloading everyone into the cart, and venturing back inside for bananas, even if our daily breakfasts would suffer all week. I wanted to cry a little. Over bananas.
It was in that moment that I realized my grocery shopping habits needed a serious overhaul. I never went to the store on the same days or times and these inconsistencies meant we were usually out of a few basic household staples. I kept a shopping list on my phone, but I was constantly forgetting to add stuff to it. Nothing about my grocery shopping system was working.
What’s a Peapod?
A pea pod is pod full of peas. But Peapod grocery delivery is a game-changing service that will make your busy life a million times easier. It was founded in 1989 and remains America’s largest online internet grocery shopping and delivery service. They’re not available everywhere, but they’re adding new markets all the time. With Peapod, you can either pick up your groceries or have them delivered to your doorstep.
The way it works is Peapod partners with local grocery stores and offers the normal stuff you’d buy in the supermarket for the average price found in your area. What’s great about that? Well, a lot of times you’ll wind up paying less than you’d spend if you were doing the shopping yourself. And there’s no way to put a price on the absolute convenience of it, especially if you’re a time-starved working mom. My Peapod delivery came from Giant, which is where I usually shop anyway.
Peapod delivery truck | Peapod Delivers via Facebook
Grocery delivery is cheaper than you think
When I first heard about grocery delivery services, I’ll admit that it felt a little too upscale for me. I assumed that getting your groceries delivered was akin to flying first class or having someone custom make all your clothes. In other words, I thought it was overpriced, indulgent, and wholly unnecessary.
That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that Peapod delivery is super cheap – like, $7.95 for your whole order cheap. Plus, my clearance-seeking heart soared when I found that when you choose certain delivery windows, you can get your order delivered for even less than the standard fee! I selected a delivery window that only cost $4.95. Which, let’s be honest, is way less than I’d spend on impulse buys if I was the one pushing the cart around the store.
Peapod is perfect for shoppers on a budget
I’m a bargain shopper. I love scouring clearance racks and researching what’s on sale before I even set foot in the grocery store (or any store, for that matter). Day old baked goods? Yes, please. About-to-expire meat? All day long. Misshapen fruits and vegetables? Come to mama.
I thought shopping with Peapod would mean sacrificing these types of bargains. But as it turns out, getting your groceries delivered means you have an even better opportunity to save money. For one thing, everything that’s on sale is highlighted front and center on the Peapod website, so there’s no chance of missing out on weekly savings. Plus, the website keeps a running tally as you add things to your cart, so you know exactly how much you’re spending. I do that in my head when I shop – but I’m usually wrong. Shopping with Peapod leaves no chance of going over budget and being surprised about it once you reach the checkout.
They also accept manufacturer coupons – and double them. All you have to do is hand them to the driver at the time of delivery.
Coupons | Kreinick/iStock/Getty Images
There were a few unexpected perks
I knew Peapod would make life easier because I wouldn’t have to haul three little kids to the grocery store every week. The thing I never expected? How it would make my life easier in other ways, too.
Peapod jumped on the meal kit trend and offers pre-selected family sized meals for those nights when you can’t decide what to make for dinner. The first time I shopped, they had a chicken pot pie dinner option that worked out to less than $5 per serving. It was way cheaper than giving in and ordering cheesesteaks from the takeout spot around the corner (again).
Chicken pot pie | bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images
More important things you need to know about Peapod
With Peapod, you can browse aisles, specials, favorites, or peruse things you purchase all the time to jog your memory. You know, so you never forget the bananas. You can opt for curbside pickup so you never even have to get out of the car or for the ultimate convenience, you can get your groceries delivered to your house. The amazing driver who brought our weekly food order even offered to bring it all the way inside and put it on the kitchen counter. Seriously! I didn’t ask him to cook dinner, but I bet he would have.
Grocery store delivery | kritchanut/iStock/Getty Images
Here’s a really important tip: you need to sign up for the Peapod emails. They’ll give you the lowdown on weekly sales and offer special promotions like free delivery or other exclusive discounts. Yeah, no one wants another email cluttering up their inbox. But in this case, it’s worth it.
Should you try Peapod? Yes. Immediately. You have very little to lose and everything to gain.
Editor’s note: Peapod trial was provided by 360PR+. Opinions are my own.
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