Many rely on food delivery to get dinners when busy or too tired to cook. However, those meals can add up to big bills. If you’re looking for ways to save money on food delivery, here are a few strategies that work. They include using coupons, ordering directly from restaurants and snagging credit card rewards.
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Use a Coupon or Promo Code
It’s standard to look for coupons and promo codes when shopping for everything from clothes to computers, but it’s also worth looking before ordering food delivery. The reason is that food delivery services are highly competitive businesses, and they often offer discounts and freebies to new and existing customers to attract more business. So it’s worth doing a quick search online for the particular restaurant or delivery service you’re considering to see if GrubHub coupons are available. If you have a friend who uses the same food delivery service you do, ask them to give you a discount code. Many services reward existing customers for referring friends by providing both of them with credits to spend on their next order. Plus, many restaurants offer coupons or other special deals, so it’s worth signing up for their email list to be notified of any specials.
Check Your Receipt
Many food delivery services charge an extra fee to cover their service costs and tips for drivers. It adds up fast, so checking your receipt before paying is important. You may be surprised that the same order costs less on another app. If you have more than one food delivery app, it’s worth checking each before ordering to see if there are any price differences. Some apps offer different promotions, so it’s worth checking back regularly. Some restaurants have an online ordering system that bypasses third-party apps (which can charge high fees). It’s also good to check your favorite restaurant’s website to see if they offer a rewards program. Finally, if you can walk or ride your bike to the restaurant, skip the delivery fee and pick up your meal yourself. It will save you time and money. Plus, you’ll get some exercise while you’re at it!
Check the Bottom of Your Bag
When you order food delivery, there are often extra charges for things like drinks, desserts and appetizers. Choose a lower-priced item from the menu. Alternatively, eat a lighter meal or save on drinks by purchasing them at the grocery store. Food delivery apps became popular during the pandemic, and many consumers rely on them now that restrictions on dining out have eased. But the cost of this convenience can add up. Here are some tips to help you cut down on takeout spending: First, look for credit cards that offer bonus points on restaurants or cash-back apps. Then, reduce the number of times you order delivery or takeout per week. For example, if you order pizza five nights a week, start by cutting it down to three or four nights a week. Next, consider using a budgeting app to track your restaurant spending and get alerts when going overboard. You can also stock up on frozen, prepared foods at the grocery store for quick, much cheaper meals than ordering in.
Take Advantage of Subscriptions
Since the pandemic began, more people than ever have resorted to food delivery and takeout services. These third-party apps often add delivery and service fees to the price of the food, which can significantly raise the overall cost of an order. Some of these fees include the meal cost, delivery charges and driver tips. The total can be over five times more than preparing the same meal at home would cost. Delivery fees can vary from restaurant to restaurant and even by region. Spending a few extra minutes to compare prices can save you a significant amount. If you order from the same restaurant regularly, consider signing up for a delivery subscription service. These plans offer lower delivery and service fees, special coupons and promo codes. The money you can save will make the subscription pay for itself after two orders.
Order in Bulk
Many delivery services offer discounts or freebies when you order a certain amount of food. The savings from bulk orders may not be as significant as those from coupons or promo codes, but they’ll add up over time. Regarding food delivery, ordering in bulk can also save you money on service charges and other fees. The meals you don’t eat can be frozen for later, so there’s no reason to waste any of your food. It’s always worth checking multiple apps before settling on one for delivery. Not only might different services charge different amounts for delivery, but they might also have different minimum order thresholds and other hidden costs. It is especially true for smaller local food delivery services that are more efficient and better at working with local restaurants. If you’re willing to do more research, you can find better deals than expected.
