The Busy Parents' Shopping Guide
Each morning, I review the day’s planned activities. There are play dates, haircuts and checkups. There are local activities I’ve made note of from the KC Parent calendar and blocks of time sectioned off for my freelance work (usually during the kids’ naptimes). I also try to schedule an hour every day for “school.” Then of course, there are household chores that need to be completed. This doesn’t even cover my husband’s schedule. What time we have left over is precious, and we certainly don’t enjoy spending it with two impatient toddlers when we need to get a little shopping done. Don’t even get me started on shoe shopping with a 1- and a 2-year-old. Forget about it!
Recently, we’ve begun to do a majority of our shopping online. It’s quicker, and it eliminates chasing the boys around to get them dressed and motivated to leave the house. We can spend more quality time with them, too. Unsurprisingly, we aren’t the only ones who feel this way. According to a SOASTA survey, 74 percent say that shopping online is less stressful than visiting a brick and mortar store.
Are you interested in online shopping but overwhelmed with the limitless options? Let me help narrow it down a bit. www.Stores.org recently published a survey listing consumers’ top 10 online stores. The number one site was the web giant www.Amazon.com.
“I shop on Amazon almost daily. With Amazon Prime and free two-day shipping, it's too easy to buy stuff,” Lenexa mom Danielle Knoll, says. “I've signed up for ‘subscribe and save’ for items I used to buy at the grocery store. It's even more cost effective for our family than Costco.”
Amazon also has a subsection called Amazon Mom, where you can get competitive prices on all of your baby needs, as well as referral credits for sharing with family and friends.
Mom of two Heather Buchwitz frequents Amazon, but also shops on Target’s website and www.Zulily.com. She explains that it’s much more convenient when she needs to purchase a few things for herself. “If I can get out to shop for myself without a kid, it’s great, but with a kid in tow—no way!”
Other stores included in the top 10 are Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl’s, eBay, JC Penney, Macy’s, Sears and Old Navy. Often, these stores offer a larger selection of items online, and many offer free shipping on qualifying orders.
Though most parents are finding it easier to shop online, there are still occasions where you just have to get up and get out. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store or to the mall, these helpful tips can streamline the process to make the most of your time.
- Prior to leaving the house, make two lists. The first is for your “to-do’s.” Write the top priority errands first. The second is your item list. This could be a grocery list or a rundown of any items you need to purchase, such as clothing, home décor, etc.
- Establish a reasonable goal and time frame for getting errands done with your kids in tow. For example, I try to plan my outings in the morning after we’ve had our breakfast. I try to make sure we’re back an hour before naptime. This typically prevents the kids from any hunger- or lethargy-induced meltdowns.
- Look for quieter times to go. Weekday mornings are typically slowest at most stores, including the mall. Forego evening shopping when you can. That’s usually the busiest time.
- Know where to park. This is especially true of places with several stores, like the mall. Always try to park at an entrance closest to the stores you need to shop.
- Use mobile shopping apps to compare prices, use coupons and reduce shopping time. Target has a new mobile app called Cartwheel. You can select from a large variety of offers and discounts, add them to your “cartwheel” and at checkout, the barcode on your screen is scanned to receive all of the discounts. It’s incredibly simple. Megan Thode, Kansas City, recommends a mobile app called Redlaser. It’s a barcode scanner that allows you to scan any item you’re interested in and instantly compare prices with other local stores.
Whether you’re doing it online or in person, effective planning will decrease time spent shopping and increase the quality of time with your family. I think that’s a win for everyone.
Jennifer Bosse is a busy wife and mom living in Kansas City. She is always looking for better ways to manage her time.