A Theory of Modern Shopping
Household Restocking Hacks for Busy Parents
My son is really into making eggs. He does eat them sometimes, but he always wants to make them. Typically, you’d need eggs, milk, and maybe butter to make them, but when a four-year-old is involved, you’ll also need a lot of paper towels and Clorox wipes to clean up the inevitable mess on the counter and floor.
In households with young kids, it’s hard to keep everything stocked, and even harder to remember what you’re running low on. The moment you stop to write something down, your kids might be dumping paint on the dining room table, and you’ll forget to get back to it.
Here’s how I stay on top of keeping everything stocked:
Subscribe & Save is Your Best Friend
When you have a growing family, things seem to disappear faster than you expect. To handle about 80% of our household needs, I use Subscribe & Save.
It does save money, but more importantly, I don’t have to think about most of these items. My tip is to set the delivery frequency for a month later than you think you’ll need it. This way, I only have to make one extra order a year or so for each item to avoid running out.
Order one-offs on Amazon
If it can be ordered on Amazon, that’s where I order it. A lot of people use Amazon for random items but still buy essentials like paper towels or dish detergent at the grocery store. In my experience, the prices are about the same, and if you live in a smaller town like us, Amazon might actually be cheaper.
Whenever something’s running low, I just pull out my phone and order it. We also have an Echo Show in the kitchen that we use for quick reorders.
Online Grocery Ordering Wasn’t Just for 2020
Online grocery ordering became a pandemic staple. My wife and I (she was 8 months pregnant at the time) would sit by our computers refreshing Amazon Fresh, hoping to snag a delivery slot. Once we did, it was a mad dash to fill the cart.
While it’s less frantic now, online grocery delivery is still handy when:
You’re short on time and not being picky about items (I probably wouldn’t buy salmon this way).
You need to restock after a trip or when arriving at an AirBnB for vacation.
Between Amazon Fresh, Walmart+, Doordash and Instacart, there’s likely a delivery service available in your area. Use them when it helps, and remember to tip well!
Consider a Meal Service
My wife and I have used a meal service for about 70% of the time we’ve lived together. We started with Hello Fresh, then switched to Blue Apron, and most recently, Home Chef.
These services won’t cover all your grocery needs, and in the first few weeks, you might accidentally over-buy groceries. But if you cook at home three or more nights a week, they’re worth trying.
Conclusion
In a busy household, keeping everything stocked can feel like a never-ending challenge. But with a few strategies—like using Subscribe & Save, ordering essentials on Amazon, leveraging online grocery services, and considering meal kits—you can simplify the process and free up some mental space.
What tricks do you use to stay on top of household shopping? Do you have any go-to services or tips that work for your family? Share your thoughts and let’s trade ideas in the comments!
There’s a place in our town with a cool business model. Every week they make a meal and a bunch of sides. Local, organic, healthy, all that. They pack most of it in mason jars that you bring back. It’s always a main dish + 2 Salads & 2 Soups. I think it took off during the pandemic but its like a home brew mashup of blue apron, etc. Except maybe not because the food is already prepared?