It happens every time you finish dinner, get into bed, and suddenly start craving something sweet or spicy. And somehow these cravings always show up between 10 and 12 am. It happens when you see something on Instagram Reels or just have the sudden thought. Then here it goes: you open the food delivery app ‘just to check’ which meal is available at that time, and 25 minutes later you are paying nearly Rs. 400 for a meal that originally cost Rs. 220.
Sounds familiar, right?
That’s how pretty much my love-hate relationship with food delivery apps started. I love the convenience, the endless food options, and the ability to get my favorite meal at any time of day without stepping outside. But I hated how my quick cravings made me spend money impulsively.
Then I realized I wasn’t always hungry; it was just boredom, wanting something comforting, being tired from work, or being influenced by people on social media. When I ordered food online, it felt like a small reward at the end of a long day, but then these small treats started to feel less comforting as my food expenses skyrocketed.
Why I Kept Ordering Even When I Didn’t Need To
For a long time, I blamed the food delivery apps. But my decision was influenced by multiple factors, such as notifications, tempting food images, limited time offers, and free delivery promotions. But now I realized it’s actually my ordering habits, not just the apps. I started treating food-ordering apps as my last-minute savior. Too tired to cook? Order in. Friends coming over? Order in. Feeling low? Get something nice to eat.
Another thing I noticed is that I also order a few extra items to meet the minimum purchase requirement just to get a discount. And this basically means I spend more money trying to save money.
But I Figured It Out and Finally Fixed It
I didn’t want to delete every food delivery app or stop ordering food online. I just wanted to enjoy them without feeling guilty about the bill. So, I started to make a few simple changes.
- I stopped opening apps just to browse: You can’t ignore the fact that whenever you browse the food delivery app randomly, you end up ordering your favorite meal and paying so much money. If I wanted food, I gave myself a few minutes to decide what I actually like eating, then I went straight for it, searched for it, and ordered it; that’s it.
- I started checking the final bill: At first, I used to check only the listed food prices, but I forgot what I should actually check: the final bill when GST, handling, delivery, or extra charges are added.
- I stopped ordering extra food just to avail discount: If I need a Rs. 220 meal, I won’t order dessert for Rs. 100 just to enjoy the benefit of the discount.
- I planned for my late-night cravings: I know my late-night cravings won’t ever stop, so I started keeping light snacks at home such as popcorn, fruits, makhana, and instant noodles. They literally helped me save Rs 300 to 400 every month.
- I started to use coupon codes (they are really my saviors): Before placing an order, I always look for suitable Zomato or Swiggy coupons on platforms like DealsShutter. Literally, coupons can help you save a lot.
A Little Balance Goes A Long Way
One thing I learned pretty quickly is that saving money didn’t mean I had to stop enjoying restaurant food. It simply meant being a little more intentional about when and how much I ordered. And if I end up ordering something late at night or whenever, I don’t beat myself up about it. The point is to make sure that a Rs. 220 craving doesn’t become a Rs. 400 habit several times a week.
Food delivery apps aren’t going anywhere, and honestly, I don’t want them to;) They are pretty convenient on busy days. But I no longer let a tempting food image or flashy discount dictate what I spend. So, next time if you find yourself paying more in delivery fees than you’d like to admit, start small. You can still enjoy your midnight biryani or your favorite burger without letting every craving become a budget problem.
