> I prefer doing pickup because going into the store with kids is a nightmare, but I dont want to pay extra fees or marked-up prices Are you mostly buying fresh produce and meat, or is it mainly packaged snacks and pantry staples for the kids? I ask because my experience with Walmart pickup was honestly pretty disappointing. I had major issues with their shoppers picking terrible produce, like moldy strawberries and bruised apples, which basically wasted my money. Plus, the app sometimes defaults to weird substitutions that cost more. If you want to try it, I highly recommend using a Walmart price tracker online first to verify the prices because they do sometimes glitch or show regional markups online. Personally, I ended up switching to Kroger pickup instead. Their digital coupons actually stack better for budget shopping, and their store brand stuff is way higher quality.

I was super skeptical too at first, but honestly, the Walmart app has been an absolute lifesaver for my monthly budget! As someone who loves tracking data, I actually built a spreadsheet to compare my in-store trips against app orders over a three-month period. The numbers dont lie, and the savings are real! First off, there is absolutely no markup on pickup prices compared to the physical shelves. You get the exact same in-store pricing, which is fantastic! I use it to build my cart throughout the week to see my exact subtotal in real-time. It completely stops the checkout-lane sticker shock. Here is how I use it to keep my family budget under control:

• Add items to the cart as we run out to avoid impulse buying in the aisles
• Use the search filter to show the lowest price per ounce first
• Stack the manufacturer digital offers directly in the cart before checking out You seriously dont need the paid subscription to make this work. Just stick to the Great Value brand products for your kids snacks and pantry staples. Seriously, just get any Great Value stuff you can find because the quality is amazing and it cuts the bill in half. Download the app, it is a game changer for staying under budget!

I have the exact same struggle trying to feed my family on a tight budget. Unfortunately, my experience with the app has been pretty disappointing. The pickup substitutions are not as good as expected. To avoid getting charged more, you have to manually turn off auto-substitutes and select cheaper Great Value alternatives, like their $1.48 pasta or $2.24 sandwich bread, otherwise they swap in expensive name brands.