Written by Tommy Tindall | Edited by Pamela de la Fuente
Published on Creditvana.com
It’s lunchtime. You’re working from home, you’ve already eaten eggs twice this week, and the fridge isn’t exactly inspiring.
The temptation is real: Tap the app, order something, and move on with your day. Easy.
But before you hit “Place Order,” you might want to ask yourself:
How long do you want to keep working just to afford lunch?
That’s the question financial planner Valerie A. Rivera, CFP® and founder of FirstGen Wealth, asks her clients — especially when food delivery becomes a regular budget item.
“Small choices like ordering out a few times a week add up fast,” she says. “And not in the good ‘compound interest’ way.”
🍔 Why Food Delivery Is Eating Into Your Financial Future
Let’s face it: delivery apps are part of modern life.
Services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub exploded during the pandemic, and they haven’t slowed down. A January 2025 YouGov study found that more than 28% of Americans order delivery at least once a week.
Even with food prices climbing — the cost of dining out rose 3.9% over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — we’re still tapping those apps.
A $10 sandwich? No big deal.
But after delivery fees, taxes, and tipping your driver, you’re probably looking at $20 or more per order.
Multiply that by a few lunches and dinners a week, and suddenly food delivery is a four-figure annual expense — one you may not have budgeted for.
💵 “I Had No Idea I Spent That Much…”
Rivera says many people are shocked when they take a closer look at their spending.
“Food delivery often ends up being the third-largest expense I see — right after housing and childcare,” she says.
That’s a big deal.
Even if it’s not your #3, a couple hundred dollars a month toward convenience food can crowd out other financial goals.
Take Candice Burch, a licensed mental health counselor and busy mom in Sarasota, Florida.
“In the moment, saving time feels worth it,” she says. “But when I added it up, I realized I could use that money on things I really value — like my daughter or family activities.”
📊 Is Convenience Worth the Cost?
For some, yes — if it’s intentional and sustainable.
Michael Benoit, a San Diego business owner, says he spends about $800 a month on food delivery.
“It stands out on my credit card statement,” he admits, “but the tradeoff is time. That’s valuable to me.”
Ashleigh Beadle, a consultant in Connecticut, says she orders 8 to 10 times a week, stretches meals over two days, and keeps her grocery bill low.
Rivera’s take? “If it’s not interfering with your ability to save, then by all means — it’s your money.”
🚧 But For Most People, It’s a Financial Roadblock
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to save for goals like a vacation, home down payment, or emergency fund, those $20 lunches could be holding you back.
“We all make trade-offs with our time, money, and energy,” Rivera says. “But overspending on convenience today can delay your goals tomorrow.”
She recommends doing a quick self-audit:
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Are you ordering food more than 3 times per week?
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Are you saving less than you’d like?
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Are you struggling to cover all your bills?
If yes, it might be time to reevaluate your delivery habit.
🔁 Turn That Habit Into a Strategy
Rivera offers a simple mindset shift:
“Think of yourself as a bill.”
What does that mean?
Pay your future self first — just like you pay your rent or phone bill.
Here’s how:
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Cut back delivery days. If you order 7 times a week, try 4.
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Redirect the savings. Set up an automatic transfer to a high-yield savings account.
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Name your goal. Whether it’s a Disney vacation, a home project, or early retirement, know what you’re saving for.
“It’s easier to say no to $18 pad thai when you’re saying yes to something bigger,” Rivera says.
💡 Your Challenge: Do the Math
Let’s say you cut back from 8 deliveries a month to 3.
That’s roughly $100–$150 saved monthly.
Redirect that to savings, and you’re looking at $1,200–$1,800 a year toward a real financial goal — without giving up takeout entirely.
Final Thought: Delivery Is Easy. So Is Overspending.
You don’t have to quit Uber Eats cold turkey. But knowing what it’s costing you is the first step to making more mindful choices.
Next time you open the app, ask yourself:
“Would I rather have this burrito — or be $50 closer to my vacation, my emergency fund, or financial peace of mind?”
That’s the real price of convenience.
Ready to Cut Costs Without Cutting Joy?
✅ Track your spending
✅ Set automatic savings goals
✅ Learn how small choices build big results
All in the Creditvana app.
[Download now →]
Sources:
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Bureau of Labor Statistics
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YouGov Study (2025)
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Interviews with Valerie A. Rivera, CFP®
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Personal accounts from consumers
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