Is it worth paying someone else to do your grocery shopping?

Question

Rich Dad · Accepted Answer

“If your time is worth $100 an hour, why are you arguing over a $12 delivery fee?”
Let’s stop pretending this is about groceries. This is about leverage. If outsourcing grocery shopping frees up even 2 hours a week, that’s roughly 100 hours a year. What could you do with 100 extra hours? Build a side business? Close one more client per month? Learn a high-income skill? If you can use that time to generate even $5,000–$10,000 more per year, paying $15–$25 per order is a joke. CEOs don’t push carts at Costco — not because they can’t, but because their time compounds elsewhere.
Now, let’s put numbers on it. Say grocery delivery costs you an extra $20 per week including tips and fees. That’s about $1,000 per year. If you earn $30/hour and grocery shopping takes 2 hours including driving and checkout, you’re “spending” $60 worth of time to save $20. That’s a bad trade — unless you genuinely enjoy it. High performers buy back time. Entrepreneurs hire cleaners, assistants, accountants — not because they’re lazy, but because focus creates wealth.
But here’s the nuance: if outsourcing just makes you scroll Instagram for those two hours, you’ve bought convenience, not leverage. That’s lifestyle inflation, not asset building. The key question isn’t “Is it cheaper?” It’s “What will I do with the time?” If you’re salaried and your income doesn’t change whether you work 40 or 42 hours, then the return on that freed time might be low — unless you redirect it strategically.
There’s also energy to consider. Decision fatigue is real. If grocery shopping drains you after a long workweek, outsourcing might preserve mental bandwidth. High-level thinking requires fuel. Jeff Bezos once said he makes only a few high-quality decisions per day. If outsourcing small tasks protects your decision-making power, that’s a performance investment.
However, if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, carrying credit card debt at 22% interest, and financing groceries through “buy now, pay later,” then delivery isn’t convenience — it’s self-sabotage. First build margin. Then buy back time.
Bottom line? When your hourly earning potential exceeds the cost of outsourcing, it’s usually worth it — if you reinvest the time into growth.
Don’t save pennies while wasting dollars of opportunity.

Poor Dad · Answer

“Before you outsource your errands, make sure you’re not outsourcing your discipline.”
I understand the appeal — grocery delivery is convenient. But convenience often costs more than we think. Let’s say delivery fees, service charges, and tips add $20 per week. That’s about $1,000 per year. Invested conservatively at 7% over 20 years, that $1,000 annually becomes roughly $43,000. Small recurring expenses compound quietly — both positively and negatively.
You also tend to spend more when shopping online. Studies have shown that people spend 5–15% more when they aren’t physically handling products or tracking totals in-store. It’s easier to add “just one more item.” Over time, that could mean an additional $500–$1,000 annually in unnecessary purchases. Grocery shopping yourself forces awareness — you compare prices, notice discounts, and stick closer to a list.
There’s another factor: financial habits. If you’re early in your career, building the muscle of budgeting and intentional spending matters. Small responsibilities like meal planning and shopping teach cost control. Think about your pension, your emergency fund, your long-term stability. Those are built from consistent, disciplined behaviors — not convenience spending.
Now, I’m not saying never use delivery. If you’re working 60-hour weeks, caring for children, or dealing with health limitations, then paying for help may reduce stress and prevent burnout. Stress has real health costs. And if your income is high and savings goals are fully funded — retirement contributions maxed, no high-interest debt — then occasional outsourcing is reasonable.
But be careful about normalizing convenience before financial security is established. If you’re still building your emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses) or paying off debt above 6–8% interest, that $1,000 per year should strengthen your foundation instead. Stability first, lifestyle upgrades second.
In the end, grocery shopping isn’t just an errand — it’s part of managing your household responsibly. Make sure you’re not trading long-term financial security for short-term ease.
Comfort is pleasant, but security lets you sleep at night.

Is it worth paying someone else to do your grocery shopping?

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Poor Dad Says

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