After many years of living in the Netherlands, I still learn about new possibilities all the time. One of these has to do with online shopping, which can be a dangerous area to become proficient in!

But the options I've found recently in relation to grocery shopping are actually more convenient that expensive. The first is the online shopping option at Albert Heijn. I'd heard about this long ago but wrote it off, assuming the delivery charge would cost a fortune. But recently I found the relevant website and discovered that if your schedule is flexible, it's possible to get groceries delivered for just under EUR 5. What a deal! Beware, though - Albert Heijn asks for a minimum purchase of EUR 70 for delivery, so you'll have to wait until you need a pretty hefty load of food.

Another option I discovered recently may be of interest to eco-food lovers. Odin works in cooperation with ecological food suppliers all over the Netherlands, and offers a service that allows you to shop online for your food and then pick it up at a convenient location (usually one of the relevant supermarkets). There's only a EUR 15 minimum and no other charges. Odin also offers pre-prepared bags of fresh organic seasonal fruit and vegetables. There are five subscription types available from about EUR 8 to 15 per bag.

If you're big on planning ahead or just want your trip to the supermarket to take substantially less time, maybe one of these services is worth looking into.