A month without delivery apps

Last spring I opened my banking app and got a shock. In one month, I had spent almost a quarter of my salary on food delivery. Ordering was so easy: a few taps, a small discount, and twenty minutes later someone was at my door with a hot meal. I decided to try an experiment. For one month, I would not use delivery apps at all.

The first week was difficult. I could make three or four dishes, and most of them were based on instant noodles. So I asked my mother for some easy recipes and went to the market near my office. I was surprised by how cheap fresh ingredients were. A bag of vegetables, some tofu and a few eggs cost less than one delivered lunch.

Cooking every evening took time, of course. I had to plan my meals, wash up and keep the fridge full. To save time, I cooked a big pot of soup or curry on Sunday and ate it for two or three days. I also learned to use spices properly, and my food slowly started to taste like something you would actually want to eat.

By the end of the month, my food expenses had fallen by more than half. That money went straight into my savings account. There were other benefits, too. I was eating more vegetables, and I was not throwing away a mountain of plastic wrapping and boxes every week. My flatmate even became a vegetarian after trying my tofu dishes.

I have not given up delivery completely. When I work late or feel ill, ordering a meal is a real help. But now it is a treat, not a habit. If you want to save money and stick to a budget, my tip is simple: before you open the app, open the fridge.