I hate running errands.

Why do we say “running” errands?  I don’t run as I shop.  I walk.  Okay, sometime I stomp, especially when the store is out of what I really need.  (Again.)  But the only time I might run is when when I’m trying to get around that person who is right in the middle of the aisle, barely moving, staring at the shelves like they just dropped in from another planet and have no idea where they are.

(They’re the same person who always walks with both of their entire forearms on the cart handle as if they’re surgically attached, leaning heavily while shuffling forward.)

And everyone knows that kids and errands don’t mix.

I’m convinced places like drugstores, banks, and grocery stores bring out the worst in poor, suffering children who are forcibly dragged into them.

That’s why I am besotted with the internetz.  Plunking things in my cart with a simple click of my mouse? Not buckling and unbuckling car seats 12 times?  Cozily drinking a hot cup of coffee on my couch instead of avoiding the aisle with the screaming toddler?! Bliss.  Oh, yes.  YES.

Not only that, but I am pretty sure I end up saving money because I don’t have time to browse “all 2,345,819 items” online and tend to only purchase exactly what I’m looking for.  Sticking to the list has never been easier.  I’ve always suspected some places, like Target, pump some kind of hormone in the air that causes people to purchase three times the number of things they went in there for.

Do I need this? No. Do I even like it? No. Then why is it in my cart? Because I waaaaant it!  Will I buy it? No. Wait. Maybe. YES.

Gah!

This is my top-secret list of internet places I have huge crushes on.

drugstore.com ~  Free shipping on any order $49 or more.  When you buy something, you get cash towards your next purchase.

diapers.com ~ When I don’t use cloth, I use Tushies gel-free diapers.  They carry pretty much every brand though.  They also have free shipping on orders $49 or more, so with a case of diapers I add a box of wipes (I like Earth’s Best, Tushies or Seventh Generation) to get the free shipping.  The order usually comes the next day or at least within 2 days.

michigan.doortodoororganics.com ~ LOVE, love love this company.  I get fresh, organic fruits and veggies delivered right to my door once a week at great prices.  I can make a saved list of what I don’t want in my box AND what I prefer they substitute them with.  Before the box comes, I can check to see what’ll be in it and make any changes I want.  Perfect.

vitacost.com ~ No need to hunt down a decent natural health store, and this one has really good prices.

unitedbuyingclubs.com ~ I don’t actually purchase direct from them, but from a local co-op.   I send her my list via email, and then pick it up a few days later.  This is a huge time saver for me, plus on many things I save money by purchasing things by the case.  Everyone runs things differently, but in mine members don’t have to unload or organize the delivery.  Whew.

Amazon ~ Um, pretty much everything.  But did you know they have grocery items and a whole section of natural “green living” stuff?  Prices are even more awesome if you use their automatic reorder program called Subscribe & Save.

You get the idea.  No, I didn’t create links.  Because I’m too lazy to go through the hassle when I’m not getting a dime for recommending these places.  I guess you’ll have to do the ol’ copy n paste.

I could’ve sworn I did I post like this a while back.  But I couldn’t find it.  Either I’m losing my mind or it was another one of those dreams that I think really happened.

What are your favorite online shopping shortcuts?