6 Local Services and Apps That Make Mom Life Easier

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6 Local Services and Apps That Make Mom Life Easier - Columbia SC Moms BlogAny mom who has been in the car with a screaming baby and/or toddler trying to run errands can attest to the fact that in the moment you would gladly hand over your soul in exchange for someone else to just do these necessary tasks for you.

As a mom who has been cursed with not one, but TWO babies being car-rider terrorists, I have always been in the market for some way to make my life easier and to avoid taking my kids out and about every time we run out of milk or want a quick meal.

Insert apps and services that have made my life just a teensy bit easier. With this newfound freedom and knowledge, I want to share it with you, my mom village!

Walmart Grocery Pickup

Life. Saver. You can grocery shop in the comfort of your home wearing a holey tank top while you juggle the baby on your hip and pound a cup of lukewarm coffee. There are several Walmart locations in the area that offer this service and the pickup times are always plentiful. And the best part – it’s a FREE service and you can select the pickup time best for you. Win-win!

Walmart has a designated team to grocery shop for you and they are trained to select the best produce and freshest breads to make your virtual shopping experience a joyful one. On your first order, enter promo code: REALEASY and you will get $10 off! Refer your neighbor or girlfriend and you both get $10! Wahoo!

Not only has this made my life a bit easier, but it’s been a huge savings for my family’s grocery budget! No more tossing un-needed items into my cart as I wander down the aisles. I can inventory my pantry and fridge while adding items to my online cart, avoiding the mishap of ending up with three large boxes of Fruit Loops at home.

The only con is you have to physically leave your house to get the groceries. But, you don’t even have to leave your car to get them. Walmart Grocery Pickup calls your cell number when your order is ready and you call them when you are ten minutes out. When you arrive, you call them again to let them know what parking space you are in and within a few seconds a very nice and happy Walmart employee comes out with your groceries. They load them in the car, you sign for your order and you are on your way!

Starbucks Mobile Ordering App

Every mom needs a caffeine fix occasionally. And just when you think you can roll through the drive-thru, your kid has a massive blowout and suddenly you are waiting fifteen minutes in the line from heck … all for a cup of coffee and some peace and quiet. 

ENTER the Starbucks Mobile Ordering app.

Place your order – complete with how many pumps of simple syrup and what kind of milk you like – from the touch of a button on your phone and within minutes you stroll in and retrieve it from the counter, bypassing the line of impatient, busy people.

Another perk of this app is that when using your Starbucks account to pay, you can actually rack up extra “stars” to gain rewards faster (like a free menu item)! 

While I absolutely love this app, there are a few cons:

  1. Only select stores use this service, so be sure you turn your location services on to access which locations in your area utilize this.
  2. As with any app, it can go wonky at times. Be patient, though. It is rare and it comes back online quickly!
  3. You do have to physically get out of your car to get your order, but this is great when you have walking-age children!

coffee-shop-729347_1920Chick-fil-A Mobile One App

Similar to the Starbucks mobile ordering app, this is great for post play dates when your kids are tired (or you) and you just want your chicken nugget meal without the long line or having to tote everyone inside. And it’s super user friendly.

However, I have noticed the app goes down a bit, but it’s still new so I’m sure they will work out the kinks. You will also have to physically go inside to retrieve your order but I have had several employees carry out my order to my car with me. And it’s always “their pleasure.” 

Tripp’s Fine Dry Cleaning

Some Tripp’s locations in the Columbia area offer Valet Dry Cleaning service, with free pick up and drop off weekly (again, depending on your area). This is a fantastic service for the working mom who may not have time to get to the dry cleaners before they close, or the stay-at-home mom who is having one of those days and just can’t make it to the store.

Shipt

This is one step beyond the Walmart Grocery Pickup, because they will DELIVER it to your home! It does cost, but for $99/year *with $15 free groceries*, you will have a professional grocery delivery person come to your home with your order and they will stock your kitchen! This local service specifically uses Publix stores in the area.

I have not personally attempted this one, but have asked other moms about it and they described it as “life-changing, wouldn’t know what to do without it, and cannot live without it.” With reviews such as that, I may have to try this out!

Ed Robinson’s Valet Pick Up Dry Cleaning

Again, a local provider of free pick up and delivery dry cleaning throughout the Midlands including Columbia, Northeast Columbia, Lexington, and Irmo. They give you a personalized valet bag. Put your garments in the bag and place it outside your door by 8:30 a.m. for pickup. They pick up and return your clean clothes the next service day!

Being a mama in this day and age is TOUGH … and with multiples it can feel like your days are never long enough, so take advantage of these services and give yourself a bit of a break.  

Let us know your feedback and what you have enjoyed! What other services have made your mom life a bit easier?

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Brandi
Brandi’ Starbuck is a recent transplant to the Columbia, SC area from Charlotte, NC where she met her husband, Bryan, and where they welcomed their first baby girl, Mackenzie. Now living in Blythewood, SC with a spirited, fun-loving 2-year-old (who looks exactly like her daddy, but acts just like mama) and expecting their second baby (a boy!) at the first of April, they are thrilled to call the Midlands home! Brandi’ juggles working full-time, outside the home, as a property manager of an apartment community in Northeast Columbia, keeping Mackenzie entertained, and occasionally enjoying a date night with her handsome hubby! Lover of shoes, social media resale shops, and all Pinterest recipe boards, she is excited (and terrified) to have two young children and can’t wait to share her journey with others in her writing. Along with their three small dogs that were their first “babies,” they are one small addition away from completing their family! You can expect to see the Starbuck family strolling along the Villages at Sandhill on the weekends, with a cliché and loved cup of Starbucks coffee in their hands, wearing matching tees purchased from a mom-owned Instagram shop.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Richland County Solid Waste has an app that reminds you what items are being collected each week. It is very useful, especially during the holidays when normal pick up days are changed.

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