After a long day of work, it makes sense to sit down on the couch, pull out your phone, and order yourself a tasty dinner instead of spending more time and energy cooking.
DoorDash might be good way to save time, it sure isn’t the best way to save money. Taking control of your budget and reining in spending habits, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and steer clear of issues like credit card debt.
Saving Money on DoorDash
Convenience can come at a cost if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to save money while still enjoying the convenience of DoorDash:
- Look for Promo Codes and Discounts: Regularly check the app and online forums for promo codes, discounts, or seasonal deals. These promotions can help reduce delivery fees or offer discounts on your orders.
- Take Advantage of DashPass: If you order frequently, consider subscribing to DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. For a monthly fee, you can enjoy free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible orders. Sometimes DashPass will be included as a benefit on your credit card so make sure to check your cards’ perks.
- Avoid Small Orders: Many apps add higher fees for smaller orders. To maximize your savings, try to place larger orders less frequently or combine orders with family or friends.
- Mind the Timing: Some days or times may have lower demand and fewer fees. Ordering during off-peak hours might not only get you a better deal but could also reduce the waiting time.
Cheaper Alternatives to DoorDash
If you’re looking to cut costs even further, several food delivery alternatives might offer lower fees or better deals than DoorDash. Consider trying these popular options:
- Uber Eats: Often comparable in pricing, Uber Eats sometimes offers special promotions or bundle deals that can help reduce your overall spending.
- Grubhub: Known for a wide range of restaurant options and frequent discounts, Grubhub is another alternative where you might find better rates on delivery fees.
- Postmates: While similar to other services, Postmates occasionally runs unique promotions or loyalty programs that could translate into savings over time.
- Local Delivery Services: Many cities now have local food delivery options that partner directly with restaurants, often bypassing the hefty fees imposed by national chains.
Try using a cheaper service if you haven’t before, perhaps it’s actually a better experience. If not, you can always go back to DoorDash.
Budgeting for Your Food Delivery
Making food delivery part of your overall budget can be a game-changer. Here are some strategies to help you enjoy the convenience without overspending:
- Set a Monthly Limit: Treat food delivery like any other monthly expense. Allocating a specific amount in your budget can help you avoid overspending.
- Track Your Expenses: Use budgeting apps or other personal finance tools to monitor your spending on food delivery. Awareness of your spending habits is the first step toward improvement.
- Plan Your Meals: While the occasional delivery is a treat, consider planning meals ahead and cooking at home when possible. Investing in home-cooked meals can free up funds for other financial goals, such as investing in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) or growing your S&P 500 nest egg.
- Seek Professional Advice: If you’re ever uncertain about your spending or want to create a more robust financial plan, consider consulting a financial advisor. They can provide tailored advice to help you balance convenience with long-term financial goals.
The Real Math: How a $30 Order Becomes $45
Food delivery feels like a small luxury until you add up the layers. Take a typical $30 restaurant order. The app adds a service fee of around 15 percent, about $4.50. Then comes the delivery fee, often $3 to $5. Then the tip, which on a delivered order reasonably runs $5 or more. Your $30 dinner now costs roughly $44 to $45, which is about 50 percent more than the menu price.
Do that twice a week and the markup alone is over $120 a month, more than $1,400 a year, spent on nothing but the convenience of not driving. Seeing the annualized number is usually what finally makes people treat delivery as a budgeted line item instead of an impulse. For more on taming food spending, see the Budgeting archive.
Pickup: The Zero-Fee Middle Ground
The cheapest delivery hack is not a promo code, it is your own car. Ordering ahead in the app and picking up the food yourself skips the delivery fee and usually the service fee too, which can cut 25 to 30 percent off the total. The food is often hotter and arrives faster than a driver making three stops.
Restaurants prefer it as well. Delivery orders cost them commissions of 15 to 30 percent, which is why some places quietly offer pickup discounts or loyalty perks that never appear on the delivery apps. If you like a restaurant enough to order from it regularly, picking up directly is the rare move where you, the restaurant, and your budget all win.
Final Thoughts
Saving money on food delivery doesn’t mean you have to give up the convenience you enjoy. With a few mindful strategies—like seeking out deals on DoorDash, exploring cost-effective alternatives, and integrating delivery expenses into your overall budget—you can continue to enjoy your favorite meals while keeping your finances in check.
Remember, every dollar saved is a step closer to financial independence, whether that means reducing credit card debt, investing in a diversified portfolio, or simply living a more frugal lifestyle.
Winchell House 
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