Is online shopping worth it?
If you live in a congested area, the time saved in traffic can make shopping online worthwhile. It's a good idea to make a list of what you normally buy at a brick-and-mortar store and see what is available online. it only takes a few spare minutes. You will likely find that just about anything sold in a store is available on its website, Amazon, or another e-retailer.
Tip: Factor in any taxes and shipping costs, and know the threshold for free shipping.
Online prescriptions
Mail-order pharmacies have grown in recent years. We're not talking about foreign sites and plain brown wrapper items. Drugstore.com, CVS, Walgreen's and other major sites can mail you three-month supplies to save time and money. You can also order everything from diapers to medications.
Tip: Use an online pharmacy that is accredited by the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program. Always check with your insurance company for in-network recommendations that can save you extra money.
Grocery delivery
Many areas are served by companies that will shop and deliver fresh foods and household items for you. Some even call you from the store to ask you if you want a substitution. Subscription boxes deliver ingredients for a week's worth of dinners according to dietary needs and budget.
Tip: Save money by buying in bulk or on sale, then set aside a few hours to preparing a week's worth of meals. Freeze them in storage containers or gallon-sized bags and then heat up in the slow cooker or microwave. Search "freezer meals" online for ideas.
Clothes shopping
Most of your favorite clothing stores, from high-end to bargain-basement, have websites. Often you can find the items you want without scouring racks at the stores. The downside is that something might not fit and you will have to return it. Stick to basics, or do an initial shop in stores and reorder similar styles on its website.
Tip: Find a big box store that stocks a variety of items, or shop through an online coupon site to get automatic discounts at multiple stores.
In-store pickup
Shipping charges are the biggest deterrent to online shopping. With careful comparison, you can often waive these charges by placing a minimum order, or ordering through a savings site with a free shipping promotion. Some chain stores offer free shipping to their brick-and-mortar sites. You can pick up multiple purchases in one trip and be done.
Tip: Check availability policies, as http://www.amazon.com/ some merchants will only allow you to pick up in-stock merchandise.
Auto-ship
One new feature of online shopping is auto-shipping. Get toilet paper and roll towel on a set schedule, so you won't have to make last-minute runs
