Americans work hard.
Thanks to the 40-plus hour workweeks and the long commutes to and from work, our free time is limited and should be well-spent.
Is going to the grocery store after a long day at work, spending an hour roaming the aisles, and then waiting to check out really the best use of your precious free time?
If you’re like most people, grocery shopping really isn’t how you want to spend your time.
But outsourcing all the monotonous tasks like grocery shopping and cleaning can quickly add up and break the bank.
If you spend all your money ensuring your free time is protected, you may end up with no money left to spend on enjoyable activities.
So the real trick is outsourcing necessary but monotonous tasks like grocery shopping without blowing your budget.
We’re glad you’re here — this article will help you do exactly that.
We will walk you through everything you need to know about saving money with Instacart, including what Instacart is, popular promo codes and coupon codes, the Express membership trial, Instacart referral codes, and other ways to save money with Instacart.
We’ll also cover where Instacart operates and the stores Instacart partners with.
What Is Instacart?
Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service you can use through Instacart.com, the Instacart Android mobile app, and the Instacart Apple mobile app.
Instead of heading out to the grocery store yourself, you can do your grocery shopping from your kitchen using your laptop or on your way home using your mobile phone or tablet.
It’s pretty easy to use Instacart to order your groceries.
Sign in, choose the items on your shopping list, and select your delivery window.
Your groceries can be at your door in as little as an hour or you can choose a delivery time later the same day or even a few days in the future.
You can schedule an Instacart grocery delivery time up to six days in advance.
At select stores, you also have the option to pick up your groceries.
This option is very convenient if you just need to grab a few things on your way home and want to save yourself the time and energy of picking up the items yourself.
In this case, you’ll shop on Instacart for what you want, select your pick-up time, and pick up your bagged grocery items at or after your pick-up time.
Popular Instacart Promo Codes
Instacart promotional codes and coupons can be used for everything from free delivery to a percentage off your first order or even free groceries.
There are often limited-time special deals for new customers or free Instacart Express trials being offered.
You can find some of the most popular Instacart promotional codes by following Instacart on Twitter.
Instacart Coupon Codes
Instacart offers manufacturer’s coupon codes within the Instacart mobile app and website.
Each discount code is applied automatically to any products that qualify at check-out.
You can check which coupons are available for your favorite stores by selecting the “Store” and then clicking on “Coupons” below the search bar.
Instacart also occasionally accepts manufacturer or store coupon codes on everyday essentials like personal and household items, but this is at Instacart’s discretion and is not very common.
Express Membership Trial
A great way to avoid the Instacart delivery fee on every order over $35 (not just your first order) is by purchasing an Express membership or taking advantage of the Express membership free trial offer.
Instacart’s Express membership trial is usually for 14 days and automatically converts to a paid annual Express membership if you don’t cancel during the free trial period.
An Instacart Express membership costs $99 per year or $9.99 per month and gives you unlimited free deliveries for the duration of your membership.
If you order from Instacart regularly, the delivery fee savings from an Express membership can add up quickly.
To sign up for an Express membership on the Instacart website click “Account” in the drop-down menu, click “Your Account,” and then in the left-hand menu, click “Account.”
From there you’ll be able to update your payment methods and membership.
Instacart Referral Codes
If you have friends who are interested in giving Instacart a try, you can earn money by referring your friends as new customers.
Your friends will get up to $20 off their first-time orders and you’ll get a credit in your account after their first purchase is processed.
You can refer your friends through email, Twitter, Facebook, and even text by inviting your contacts or sharing your referral link.
You can refer up to five friends to Instacart.
Other Ways to Save Money With Instacart
While coupon codes and referral credits are a great way to save money with Instacart, they aren’t your only options for saving money on your Instacart order.
You can also save money by using the following strategies.
Be Aware of the Instacart Markup
While Instacart’s pricing for grocery items is usually just a few pennies more than going to the store yourself, some items have a more substantial markup.
Keep track of what those items are so you can remember to grab them yourself next time you stop at the grocery store, especially if they’re shelf-stable snacks or supplies like cleaning products or toilet paper.
Only Buy What You Actually Need
Americans are notorious for wasting a shocking amount of food every day.
While it’s tempting to order everything that catches your eye (especially since you have a personal shopper to carry it around for you), your credit card will thank you if you resist the impulse and stick to the list of things you’ll actually use in the near future before they go bad.
Shop With a Plan
Before you fire up the Instacart app and start picking out your groceries, know what you need.
While it’s tempting to add everything that looks good or is on sale to your cart, it’s just as expensive to forget to add the things you do need.
Dish soap and toilet paper aren’t going to be the items that make your mouth water, but if you forget them, you’ll still need to go to the grocery store or will have to place another Instacart order.
Where Does Instacart Operate?
Instacart currently operates in over 210 markets in North America and is expanding to additional markets every year.
You can check the complete list of Instacart markets by visiting their site and scrolling down or entering your zip code.
If Instacart is not yet available in your city, you can choose to be notified when they expand into your area.
Click “Get notified when we expand to your area” to have Instacart let you know when they’re coming to your city.
Instacart Store Partners
Instacart partners with more than 190 popular stores, including national chains such as Costco, Kroger, Petco, CVS, and some Target locations, as well as local supermarkets like Publix and Wegmans.
Instacart no longer offers delivery services or in-store shopping at Whole Foods.
Some grocery items like custom cake orders, gift cards, and tobacco are not eligible for delivery by Instacart, but some stores can deliver alcohol.
Instacart Coupons Will Help You Save Money
Ordering grocery delivery through Instacart may feel like a splurge, but it’s a much more affordable splurge when you utilize the coupons, referral codes, and other tips to save money we’ve shared above.
At the end of the day, your time is incredibly valuable and how would you rather spend it — relaxing with your family or roaming the grocery aisles looking for a reasonable substitute for your favorite yogurt?
That’s what we thought.
Enjoy the savings and the time with your family by using Instacart coupons on every order.
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