Save time, gas ‘running’ errands online

There are not enough hours in the day. By the time I finish up my daily duties here at the internationally acclaimed Granese Institute of Technology, it can be mid-afternoon or even later, limiting my contact with other conventional businesses in the real world.

Having started in the then-unnamed Information Systems industry in the very first days, I know enough to bring down the curtain at the end of the day. Colleagues around the world will tell you that there is always going to be someone with a great reason for you to work after hours or on weekends banging at your door. If you value having a life of your own, you will look for an office without windows.

Even under the ideal conditions of total isolation, there comes a time when I must venture out into the real world. I try to keep these trips to a minimum, and, thanks to the power of the World Wide Web, I have just cut one frequent trip almost completely out of my schedule. You’ll read about it below.

Having accomplished that labor saver, I began to look around for other websites that can actually help people get through their day without having to fire up the car, burn a few gallons, fight traffic, look for a parking spot, and deal with crowds of consumers. For this exercise, a good day can be defined as one where you never get out of your pajamas and SpongeBob slippers but still manage to complete all of your chores. Here are a few websites that helped me manage an ideal day working entirely from my home computer.

www.usps.gov

I actually enjoy going to the post office. I like to look at the commemorative stamp posters and occasionally take a moment to leaf through the most-wanted posters. A quick postage run breaks up the day and gives me a chance to get a head start on the trip home from the Institute, but not without a price.

Even the shortest trip out of the office costs at least an hour of productivity. Make a couple of them in a week, and we’re looking at half a day wasted. Unless you like working late, it is time to find an alternative, and the website of the United States Post Office is just the place to start.

Aside from handing a package over the counter, you can do just about everything on the website that you can do in the post office. Since your loyal letter carrier stops by every working day, he or she can perform that part of the postal experience for you. Otherwise, everything from buying postage to ordering supplies can be accomplished right from your desk.

Open an account to print your own postage with ease. Calculate the various rates that apply to your mailings, and look up ZIP codes with a few keystrokes. It truly could not be easier, even for the inexperienced user. I have been doing it for months with the best of results, even ordering free mailing supplies for delivery to my door. The concept is sound and the execution is flawless, so for adding an hour of productivity to my day, www.usps.gov earns five weatherproof spiders.

 www.acmemarkets.com

I have never been a very good grocery shopper. I do not check prices, I do not clip coupons, and, if I can possibly avoid it, I do not go into a grocery store at all. That, as you can imagine, leaves me with the expensive honor of shopping at exorbitant convenience stores with few brand-name products, insane prices, and more than their share of surly, inept help.

It may be my lot in life, but not if the Acme people have anything to say about it. At least for now, the supermarket is offering online grocery shopping with home delivery. You just visit the site, sign up, and start shopping. This setup has a number of advantages for me, and probably a few for smarter shoppers, too.

Right off the bat it takes out the impulse factor. When shopping online one is far less likely to wind up with a jar of chutney or capers that are unlikely to see the light of day again. I will not be tempted to grab something just because it looks good. Further, I can have the whole order delivered, or have it ready to be picked up at my local store. The charges for this are a reasonable $9.95 and $4.95, respectively.

This is a concept that has worked well in larger areas, so I am pleased to find it available in South Jersey. I have no particular preferences in grocery store selection, and I am sure that if online shopping works well for Acme, other stores will adopt it too. I am looking forward to the delivery of my first order tomorrow. In the time I saved, I will happily deliver five conveniently packaged spiders to www.acmemarkets.com.

www.state.nj.us/mvc/

There is nothing worse than waiting in line at a state facility to manage a driving-related issue. While many aspects of the experience have improved recently, queuing up to take care of licensing, registration and inspection matters still ranks right below oral surgery on most lists of favorites.

Last year we discussed a privately run online resource that offered assistance with DMV issues. This time we will go right to the source and visit the state of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website. Sporting a new name and a new look, a visit to the site can save you a great deal of time and torture next time you have some official business to transact.

First, the bad news: You cannot renew your driver’s license online. That requires you to present suitable identification in person. Fortunately, you can take an online quiz to prepare for your six-point ID verification in advance. You will also find information on driving regulations that can help you avoid expensive issues down the road.

Online, you will be able to renew your registration, order personalized plates, pay your restoration and surcharge fees and download any forms you need, all without setting foot in an agency. If such a trip is inevitable, you can also find the location of your nearest regional service center, agency, state inspection station or testing facility. Even if it saves one trip to the center, www.state.nj.us/mvc is well worth four properly identified spiders.

It is summertime, and while the livin’ is easy, the drivin’ may not be. Anytime you can perform a task online without cranking up the family truckster saves time, money, and fuel. More and more local businesses are also offering online facilities to better serve their customer base. Before you turn the key, turn on the computer and have a look. If you have found any great time-saving websites, I’m always ready to hear about them. E-mail me at granese[at]juno.com with a full report.