Saving Money on Home Meal Delivery Services: A Complete Guide

In today's fast-paced world, home meal delivery services have become a popular and convenient option for busy individuals and families. These services provide ready-to-cook or fully cooked meals delivered straight to your door, saving you time on grocery shopping and meal preparation. However, the convenience often comes at a premium, and costs can add up quickly, especially if you use these services frequently. If you're looking to enjoy the benefits of home meal delivery without breaking the bank, this guide will provide actionable tips and strategies to save money while still enjoying healthy, delicious meals.

Choose the Right Meal Delivery Service

The first step in saving money on home meal delivery is selecting the right service. There are numerous options available, each offering different meal plans, price points, and types of meals (e.g., diet-specific, organic, family-style). Some meal delivery services may offer higher-quality ingredients and more customizability, while others focus on affordability. To ensure you're getting the best deal, consider the following factors:

1.1 Compare Prices Across Services

Meal delivery services have varying price structures, so it's important to compare the cost per serving or per meal. Prices can range from $5 to $15 per serving, with additional delivery fees on top. Some popular services include Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Home Chef, and EveryPlate, which all offer different pricing models. Take a look at the pricing tiers, delivery fees, and any hidden costs like subscription fees or delivery charges.

Tip: Some services offer discounts for the first few orders or promotions like free shipping on your first box. Be sure to take advantage of these special offers to save money on initial purchases.

1.2 Check for Meal Plan Flexibility

Some services require customers to commit to a subscription for a specific number of meals per week, while others offer more flexibility, allowing you to skip weeks or cancel without penalties. If you're looking to save money, choose a service that offers flexibility in case you want to adjust or cancel your plan based on your needs.

Tip: Opt for meal plans that allow you to skip weeks without extra fees. This way, you can only order when it fits into your schedule or budget.

1.3 Choose Meal Services with Simple Menus

Meal delivery services that offer simple, no-frills meals tend to be less expensive than those that offer complex, gourmet options. While gourmet meals are delicious, they often come with higher ingredients and preparation costs. If you're on a tight budget, focus on services that provide straightforward, healthy, and budget-friendly meal options.

Maximize Discounts and Special Offers

One of the easiest ways to save money on home meal delivery services is to take advantage of discounts and promotions. Many services offer generous discounts for first-time users, seasonal deals, or referrals from friends.

2.1 Use Promo Codes and Coupons

Meal delivery services frequently offer promo codes or coupons, especially for new customers or subscribers. These codes can provide substantial savings, often ranging from $20 to $100 off your first few orders. To find promo codes, check the meal delivery service's website, sign up for their email newsletter, or search coupon websites like RetailMeNot or Coupons.com.

2.2 Sign Up for Referral Programs

Many meal delivery services have referral programs where you can earn discounts or credits for referring friends and family. These referral bonuses can be applied to future orders, helping to reduce the overall cost of your meals.

Tip: Refer your friends and family to the service, and ask them to use your referral code. This can give you both discounts, which can add up over time.

2.3 Look for Seasonal Offers

Certain times of the year, such as holidays or the start of a new season, may prompt meal delivery companies to run special promotions. These can include discounts, free meals, or bonus items. For example, many services offer "back-to-school" promotions or Thanksgiving-related discounts.

Tip: Keep an eye on the company's social media channels or sign up for email alerts to stay informed about seasonal deals and limited-time offers.

Optimize Your Meal Plan

Meal planning is a crucial part of managing your budget. By choosing meals that align with your preferences, you can minimize waste and make the most of each delivery. This will reduce the need to order more meals than you actually need, ultimately lowering your costs.

3.1 Plan for Leftovers

When selecting meals, choose options that can be easily stored and reheated. Meals that make great leftovers will ensure you get the most out of each delivery. This is particularly useful for busy individuals who want to stretch the value of a single meal by having it for lunch or dinner the next day.

3.2 Order Bigger Portion Sizes

If you are feeding a family or cooking for multiple people, ordering larger portion sizes (often referred to as "family packs") can reduce the cost per serving. Many meal delivery services offer family-sized options that are more economical than ordering multiple individual meals. This can significantly lower the price per person.

Tip: If you are ordering meals for a family, try to select meals that can serve more people. Many meal delivery services allow you to customize the number of servings for each meal.

3.3 Choose Budget-Friendly Meals

Many meal services offer budget-friendly or lower-cost meal options. For example, EveryPlate is one of the most affordable services, with meals priced around $4.99 per serving. When selecting your meals, make sure to opt for the more affordable options that still offer high-quality ingredients.

Tip: Avoid selecting meals that require expensive proteins (like seafood or premium cuts of meat). Instead, look for meals that use affordable ingredients like chicken, beans, pasta, and vegetables.

Control Your Delivery Frequency

The more frequently you order, the more you'll spend. To cut costs, carefully manage how often you order meal deliveries.

4.1 Skip Weeks or Pause Subscription

Most services allow you to skip deliveries or pause your subscription for a week or more without incurring extra charges. If you find that you have too many meals left over or you're traveling, take advantage of this feature to prevent unnecessary deliveries.

4.2 Only Order When Necessary

Rather than subscribing to a weekly delivery, consider ordering only when you need it. For example, you can schedule deliveries based on your specific weekly meals rather than receiving a set number of meals every week. This approach can help avoid overordering and reduce the amount of waste.

Tip: Use a calendar or meal planner to track your schedule and plan meal deliveries based on your needs. This way, you only order when it makes sense.

Consider Alternatives to Home Meal Delivery

While home meal delivery services offer a lot of convenience, there are other ways to save money while still enjoying meals made from scratch.

5.1 Meal Kits with Local Ingredients

Instead of ordering pre-packaged meals, consider using meal kits that provide only the ingredients for you to cook yourself. These kits typically cost less than fully prepared meals, as they don't include the labor costs associated with meal preparation. Many services let you choose meals that align with your budget, and they often provide recipes using affordable ingredients.

5.2 Batch Cooking and Freezing

If you prefer the convenience of having ready-made meals at your disposal, consider preparing your own meals in bulk and freezing them for later. This allows you to create home-cooked meals at a fraction of the cost of a meal delivery service. With some planning, you can enjoy the same convenience without the subscription fees.

Tip: Spend one day each month preparing and freezing meals. That way, you'll have a variety of ready-to-eat meals that are both cost-effective and easy to access when you're short on time.

5.3 Grocery Delivery with Meal Planning

Instead of relying solely on meal delivery services, consider using grocery delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. With these services, you can order the ingredients you need to create your own meals at home. By planning your meals in advance and purchasing in bulk, you can reduce costs while still enjoying home-cooked meals.

Conclusion

Home meal delivery services can be an incredibly convenient way to streamline your meals, but they can also be expensive. By choosing the right service, optimizing your meal plan, and utilizing discounts and promotions, you can significantly reduce the cost of these services. Additionally, consider alternative options like meal kits or grocery delivery to further save money. With a little planning and awareness, you can enjoy the convenience of home meal delivery without stretching your budget too thin.

View Product