How I Saved $300 a Month and Boosted My Well-Being by Ditching Takeout and Embracing Meal Planning

Imagine coming home after a long day, flopping on the couch, and ordering dinner with just a few taps on your phone. It’s quick and easy, but those delivery fees add up fast. I know this all too well.

While juggling work and grad school with a partner who couldn’t cook, takeout became our go-to. We’d order 2-3 times a week, spending around $150 a month. During the pandemic, this skyrocketed to about 5-6 times a week, totaling $350 a month. Much of this food wasn’t healthy—I often ended up sick from meals packed with dairy, which I couldn’t always avoid.

On top of that, I was spending another $300-400 at the supermarket for groceries I often didn’t use. Tossing out spoiled food felt wasteful, but after a long day, I felt too exhausted to cook.

But everything changed when a new job took me from Porto, Portugal, to Memphis, Tennessee, in December 2023. I found myself alone for a year while my partner stayed behind. Suddenly, I was motivated to waste less and save more. I sought advice from my grandma, who called me from Portugal to share her cooking wisdom. Her tips on meal planning and recipes helped me revolutionize my kitchen habits.

Moving into a new home, I organized my kitchen and invested in essential tools—good pots, a blender, and an air fryer. My first grocery bill was high, about $654, as I stocked up on pantry staples. The key to my new routine? Planning meals ahead of time and shopping with intention. I mapped out my grocery list, hit Whole Foods, Kroger, and local farmers’ markets, and followed Instagram recipe accounts for inspiration.

Once I committed to cooking, I noticed a difference in my health. No more late-night discomfort; I even lost some weight without trying. Fast forward six months, and my average grocery bill dropped to around $150. When my partner relocated to Memphis in 2024, our bill rose to about $250—still less than our old takeout habit. The difference? A structured shopping approach and using everything I bought. No longer do items sit forgotten in the fridge.

Eating out became a planned treat, reducing our trips to just twice a month for date nights, which costs about $150. We’ve almost completely eliminated takeout, finding it not worth the fees and rising food prices. Instead, I feel in control, making meals that suit my body, all while saving $250-350 a month. It’s a habit I can’t imagine giving up.

This newfound approach not only helped my finances but also aligned with a growing trend. A recent survey found that 52% of adults in the U.S. are now cooking more at home compared to before the pandemic, citing health and cost as primary motivators. As cooking becomes a more intentional activity, it’s clear that many are discovering the joy of home-cooked meals while keeping their budgets in check.

Overall, transforming meal habits from takeout to home cooking has brought both savings and health benefits. It’s about enjoying good food and feeling good in both body and mind.

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