Instacart is a very useful company but you do typically pay a premium for the service (if you tip respectfully)….
I am a huge believer in adopting the technology as I value my time but I am also frugal….
Decide how frequently you plan to use Instacart (maybe in the beginning you do not pay for Instacart +) or perhaps you are getting it free via your Chase credit card for 6 months (or another trial method). This is one way you can save money and utilize the service. But my method does not necessarily require you to be a paid subscriber of Instacart +.
My method does however require you to be a Costco member (unless you know another way to get discounted gift cards.
What I do is buy $100 gift cards offered by Costco for the pice of $79.99 ( limit 2 per online transaction per member). Then I load it to my Instacard account. I wait for offers from stores I would normally shop, Walmart, Costco, Restaurant Depot, Sprouts etc (typically a $20 off $50 purchase). I then load the cart on sale items or items we use regularly just to cross the $50 mark and I pay close attention to my final price including a 20% tip for the shopper/drivers (they need to taken care especially as they are making a living) and try to keep it as close to $50 even after the extras (service fee, delivery fee, and tip).
I have saved approximately an hour or more, gas, wear and tear on my car, road risk and still for less money than if I did it myself.
The savings comes from the discounted gift card based on my equal spend with the extras. Sometimes I still come out ahead when one of the stores offers free delivery or when there is a larger coupon $30 off $50 or $100 or perhaps when an item is refunded as lack of being in stock.
If you have Instacart + then there is no reason why you shouldn’t come out ahead if you stick to the process.
I hope you find this Frugal shopping technique worthwhile.
