The Simple Convenience I Didn’t Know I Needed
Tried & True
Welcome to Tried & True.
You won’t find trendy must-haves here — just my honest thoughts on the things I’ve tried and loved (or at least found truly useful). Consider this my virtual note-to-a-friend on what’s helping in real life.
I’ve been trying to notice the small things that make this busy season feel a little softer, a little more manageable. Right now, one of those things is grocery delivery.
I know that might sound silly to some, but in a life where I rarely get a moment to myself, having groceries show up at my door feels like a tiny luxury.
We’ve been using Instacart for two years now, through three states and a whole lot of life change. It’s become a quiet rhythm in our home. One of those background systems that helps me manage the week with a little more peace and a little less chaos.
Why I Still Use It (After All This Time)
Gone are the days of wandering crowded aisles, making impulse buys because something was on sale, or dragging tired kids through checkout lines.
Instacart lets me shop in my own time—usually while sipping my coffee, planning out meals, or squeezing in a few quiet moments before the day begins.
I used to think delivery services like this were a splurge. Now, I see them as a tool: one that saves me time, mental load, and honestly, money (more on that below).
A Little Backstory
Derek and I actually used to work for Instacart during a season when we needed a little extra income. We were the ones picking the groceries, texting the customers, walking those aisles.
So when I say the shoppers are usually kind, helpful people doing honest work, I mean it. I’ve been on both sides.
What I’ve Noticed About Using Instacart Regularly
It helps me stick to my budget.
I’m not wandering the aisles. I’m not grabbing extras just because they look good. I’m shopping from my list, for my meal plan, with fewer distractions.
Yes, groceries through Instacart can run $1-2 more per item than in-store. But I spend far less on “just in case” items or impulse buys. It balances out.
It saves my time and energy.
No more running around town to three stores. No more giving up Saturday mornings to errands. I can shop from multiple stores in the same app, and the shoppers bring it right to me.
It feels more reliable than store pickup.
I’ve tried store pickup, and I’ve had entire orders swapped for substitutes or left incomplete.
With Instacart, unlike in store pickup, I can communicate with my shopper in real time. They don’t shop until close to the delivery window, so stock is usually accurate. And if something’s missing, I can ask them to double-check or suggest alternatives.
It’s not the cheapest—but it is the simplest.
We have the annual Instacart+ subscription that we’ve paid for for 3 years (free delivery over $35, reduced fees, no peak surcharges).
It works for us because I’ve learned that saving time is sometimes more valuable than saving a couple of dollars.
If You’re Curious…
If you’ve been on the fence, I do have a referral link for $10 off your first order.
No pressure, of course—but if you’ve been looking for one small change that buys back your time, this might be it.
👉 You can click this link or use the code: JRUNYON18A6C to get $10 off your first order
It’s little shifts like this: choosing ease where we can, that help me show up for the bigger things with more peace.
Thanks for reading The Quiet Revival.
You’ll always find my current favorites under The Quiet Edit.
For deeper dives and honest reflections, look for Tried & True.