Grocery Shopping Is So Last Century—Here’s What to Do Instead

Before the 20th century, shopping was a time-consuming chore. Women had to visit individual shops—the butcher, baker, produce seller, and dry goods store—haggling over prices and seeking the best deals. While we may romanticize this era at farmers' markets or while traveling, the reality was exhausting. Then came the 20th century, bringing major economic shifts. The Great Depression emphasized the need for lower, consistent pricing and bulk purchasing. World War II and the post-war boom introduced suburbanization, packaged foods, and refrigeration advances. My great-grandmother still called her freezer an “icebox,” even when it no longer needed a block of ice to function. Modern supermarkets were a game-changer.

But in today’s world, time is more valuable than ever. Who wants to spend hours grocery shopping when there’s so much else to do? Not me. A quick trip to fill in gaps, sure. But hours per month in a grocery store? No, thank you. That’s where grocery delivery saves the day—and your wallet.

Let’s break it down. If you make $40 an hour, and grocery shopping takes an average of 90 minutes per trip, that’s about four hours a month—worth $160 of your time. Grocery delivery costs around $40 per month. That means spending just one hour’s wage saves you four hours and puts $120 worth of your time back in your pocket. That’s time you can spend working, relaxing, or hanging out with your kids. Either way, you’re winning.

Beyond the numbers, think about the convenience. No driving, no wandering aisles, no waiting in checkout lines, no loading and unloading the car. Sure, you still have to put the groceries away, but that’s easily done while enjoying an audiobook.

Do I still go to the grocery store? Occasionally. I enjoy browsing new products like I once loved wandering the mall as a kid. Maybe I’m curious about canned salmon or admiring the rainbow of fresh vegetables. But these are fun, intentional trips—not the weekly grind of shopping for essentials.

So why not try grocery delivery? In this day and age, it’s no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. For your time, your wallet, and your sanity.

Become Green, Wild and Free from the drudgery of grocery shopping!