save money Archives — Beating Broke

14 Ways You’re Wasting Money on DoorDash and How to Stop

July 3, 2024 By Latrice Perez Leave a Comment

DoorDash is a convenient way to get food delivered right to your door, but it can also lead to unnecessary expenses if you’re not careful. Here are 14 ways you might be wasting money on DoorDash and practical tips to help you save.

1. Not Using Promo Codes

Promo codes are frequently available but often overlooked. By taking a few minutes to search for current promo codes, you can save a significant amount on your orders. Websites like RetailMeNot or Honey can help you find the latest discounts.

2. Ignoring Membership Programs

If you use DoorDash regularly, consider subscribing to DashPass. This membership program offers benefits like free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible orders. The monthly fee often pays for itself after just a few orders, making it a worthwhile investment.

3. Ordering During Peak Times

Delivery fees and surge pricing can be higher during peak hours. By ordering during off-peak times, you can avoid these extra costs. Planning your meals ahead can help you dodge these higher fees and save money.

4. Not Taking Advantage of Free Delivery Offers

Many restaurants offer free delivery promotions, especially for first-time customers. Keep an eye out for these deals and plan your orders accordingly. Free delivery can significantly reduce the overall cost of your meal.

5. Adding Too Many Extras

It’s easy to get carried away with adding sides, drinks, and desserts to your order. These extras can quickly increase your total cost. Stick to the essentials to keep your spending in check.

6. Forgetting About Service Fees

Service fees are often added to your total without you noticing. These fees can add up over time, making each order more expensive than it initially appears. Be aware of these fees and factor them into your decision to order.

7. Not Comparing Prices

Some restaurants have different prices on DoorDash compared to their in-house menu. Always check the restaurant’s own website or call to compare prices before ordering through the app. This small step can save you from paying inflated prices.

8. Overlooking Pickup Options

Many restaurants offer the option to pick up your order instead of having it delivered. Choosing pickup can save you both delivery fees and tips. This option is particularly useful if the restaurant is nearby and convenient to reach.

9. Ignoring Bundle Deals

Some restaurants offer bundle deals that include multiple items at a discounted price. Look for these deals to get more value from your order. Bundles can provide a variety of food for less money than ordering items individually.

10. Forgetting About Leftovers

Ordering enough for leftovers can provide you with an additional meal, stretching your dollar further. Plan your orders with future meals in mind. This strategy not only saves money but also time on cooking and ordering again.

11. Not Using a Rewards Credit Card

Use a rewards credit card to pay for your orders. This way, you can earn points, cashback, or other rewards on every purchase. Over time, these rewards can add up to significant savings or benefits.

12. Ignoring Seasonal Promotions

DoorDash often runs seasonal promotions with significant discounts. Keep an eye out for these offers and take advantage of them. Seasonal promotions can provide substantial savings on your favorite meals.

13. Not Setting a Budget

It’s easy to lose track of how much you’re spending on food delivery. Set a monthly budget for DoorDash and stick to it to avoid overspending. A budget helps you manage your finances better and ensures you don’t spend more than you intend.

14. Forgetting to Tip Wisely

While tipping is important, over-tipping can add up. Tip reasonably based on the service and consider the delivery fee you’re already paying. Being mindful of your tips can help you save money over time.

Conclusion

By being mindful of these common pitfalls, you can enjoy the convenience of DoorDash without breaking the bank. Implementing these tips will help you make smarter choices and save money on your food deliveries. With a little planning and awareness, you can make DoorDash a more cost-effective part of your dining routine.

Latrice Perez

Latrice is a dedicated professional with a rich background in social work, complemented by an Associate Degree in the field. Her journey has been uniquely shaped by the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home mom to her two children, aged 13 and 5. This role has not only been a testament to her commitment to family but has also provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights.

As a mother, Latrice has embraced the opportunity to educate her children on essential life skills, with a special focus on financial literacy, the nuances of life, and the importance of inner peace.

8 Ways Using Grocery Pickup Saves You Money

May 31, 2024 By Catherine Reed Leave a Comment

Grocery pickup has become a popular service, offering convenience and efficiency for busy individuals and families. Beyond the time-saving aspect, it also provides numerous financial benefits. As grocery prices fluctuate and household budgets tighten, finding ways to save money is crucial. Utilizing grocery pickup can significantly reduce expenses in various ways. Here are eight ways grocery pickup saves money and helps you manage your budget more effectively.

1. Reduces Impulse Purchases

One of the most significant ways grocery pickup saves money is by reducing impulse purchases. When shopping in-store, it’s easy to be tempted by items you don’t need, leading to unnecessary spending. With grocery pickup, you order your items online and avoid browsing aisles filled with tempting products. This method helps you stick to your shopping list and budget.

2. Saves on Gas and Transportation Costs

Using store pickup can also save money on gas and transportation costs. Frequent trips to the grocery store can add up, especially with rising fuel prices. By consolidating your shopping into fewer trips with grocery pickup, you reduce the need to drive as often. This reduction in travel not only saves money on gas but also decreases wear and tear on your vehicle. Additionally, it saves you time, which can be just as valuable.

3. Helps You Stick to a Budget

Grocery pickup helps you adhere to a budget by allowing you to see a running total of your purchases before checkout. This feature lets you adjust your cart to stay within your financial limits. Unlike in-store shopping, where you might not realize the total cost until you reach the register, online shopping offers transparency throughout the process. This awareness helps prevent overspending and encourages more mindful purchasing decisions.

4. Eliminates the Cost of Eating Out

By making grocery shopping more efficient and less time-consuming, grocery pickup reduces the temptation to eat out. With a well-stocked pantry and refrigerator, preparing meals at home is easier. Eating out frequently can quickly drain your budget, especially for larger families. Grocery pickup helps ensure you have the necessary ingredients, making home-cooked meals more accessible.

5. Takes Advantage of Online Coupons and Discounts

Many store pickup services offer online coupons and discounts that can be easily applied to your order. These digital savings are often more accessible than paper coupons and can lead to significant discounts. Additionally, some grocery stores offer exclusive promotions for online shoppers, providing further opportunities to save money. By regularly checking for digital deals and applying them to your order, you can reduce your overall grocery bill. In the end, utilizing these savings options makes grocery pickup an economical choice.

6. Minimizes Food Waste

Using grocery pickup helps minimize food waste by allowing you to plan your meals and purchase only what you need. When you plan your shopping list based on specific meals, you are less likely to buy items that go unused. Reducing food waste directly translates to saving money, as you’re making the most out of every grocery dollar. Additionally, grocery pickup can help you avoid duplicate purchases, which often happen during in-store shopping.

7. Reduces the Temptation of In-Store Deals

In-store promotions and deals can often lead to unnecessary spending on items that weren’t on your shopping list. While these deals might seem like savings, they can add up to extra costs. Grocery pickup allows you to avoid these temptations and focus solely on the needed items. You can maintain better control over your spending by steering clear of in-store marketing tactics. This approach helps you avoid falling for deals that don’t truly benefit your budget.

8. Saves Time, Which Translates to Money

Time is money, and grocery pickup saves you significant amounts of both. Ordering groceries online and picking them up at your convenience eliminates the need to spend hours shopping. This saved time can be used more productively, whether for work, family activities, or personal pursuits. Additionally, less time spent in-store means fewer opportunities to make unplanned purchases.

Using Grocery Pickup Can Really Save You Money!

Grocery store pickup offers numerous advantages beyond convenience, particularly in saving money. By reducing impulse purchases, saving on transportation costs, helping you stick to a budget, eliminating the cost of eating out, taking advantage of online discounts, minimizing food waste, reducing the temptation of in-store deals, and saving time, grocery pickup proves to be a financially savvy choice. Embracing this modern shopping method can lead to more efficient and cost-effective grocery shopping, helping you manage your household budget better.

10 Quick Ways to Get Money In Your Hands Right Now

Catherine Reed

Catherine is a tech-savvy writer who has focused on the personal finance space for more than eight years. She has a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and enjoys showcasing how tech can simplify everyday personal finance tasks like budgeting, spending tracking, and planning for the future. Additionally, she’s explored the ins and outs of the world of side hustles and loves to share what she’s learned along the way. When she’s not working, you can find her relaxing at home in the Pacific Northwest with her two cats or enjoying a cup of coffee at her neighborhood cafe.

Products That Save You Money

March 8, 2021 By MelissaB Leave a Comment

Every year, there seem to be more and more expenses competing for our money. But rather than spending money on disposable or one-use items, consider investing in some of these products that save money.

Around the House

There are so many products that save money for around the house! This is only a small sampling of what is available:

Deep Freezer

Investing in a deep freezer can save you a significant amount of money because it allows you to buy foods in bulk when they’re at their lowest prices. Using this method, you never pay full price for food. Our family has a deep freezer, and we buy a ¼ side of beef every six months to one year. We get a wide variety of meat at a much cheaper price than we could buying it retail at the store.

Just make sure to keep an inventory of freezer contents and rotate your foods regularly so nothing goes to waste.

Drain Snake

If you have a plugged drain, there is no need to call the plumber if you have a drain snake. We have three girls in our home with long hair, and the drain snake has kept us from having to call the plumber more times than I can count.

Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to reduce your heat or air conditioning when you’re not home and then automatically increase it 30 minutes or so before you return home. This lets you return to a comfortable home. Programmable thermostats can easily save you hundreds of dollars every year in energy costs.

Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls take the place of dryer sheets. These balls only cost about $10 to $12 for a six pack, and they will last for months. These are definitely much cheaper and more eco-friendly than buying dryer sheets.

Vinegar

Products That Save Money — Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

Vinegar may be the item that saves you the most money on this whole list. Vinegar can be used to replace so many cleaners and other items you may currently buy. We use vinegar to clean our toilet and bathtub. We also use it as a weed killer.

Food/Drink Consumption

Food is most people’s largest expense behind a mortgage/rent or a car payment. But there are many, many products that save money in this area.

Coffee/Espresso Maker

If your Achilles’ heel is coffee, don’t run to the coffee shop every day. Instead, invest in a coffee or espresso maker and make your brew at home. (Plus, you’ll save time not waiting in line at your favorite coffee joint.) The savings here are significant.

Herb Garden Kit

Buy a herb garden kit and set it on your window, and you’ll never need to buy fresh herbs again. Not only does this save you the expense of buying herbs (that often come in packages to big to be used before they go bad), but it will also improve the taste of your food, which may make you less likely to go out to eat.

Bottle Emptying Kit

At first, this may seem like a silly purchase. I regularly tip bottles upside down to try to get the remaining contents out. However, frequently, bottles like dish soap can’t stand up when upside down. Instead, they fall to the side. As an alternative, attach a bottle emptying kit to the lid, and the stand holds the bottle in place while the ingredients run down for your use.

This kit can be used for condiments, oils, shampoos, hand soaps, dish soaps. When you consider every item where you can use all of the contents instead of leaving a bit at the bottom, you will save money with a bottle emptying kit, though it may take years.

Female-Related Expenses

For female related needs, there are many ways reusable items can save you money.

Period Panties

Using period panties reduce the need to buy disposable tampons or pads. While these panties cost around $20 each, they can be used for two to five years, if cared for properly, netting you a significant savings. Plus, as part of the CARES Act, you can now be reimbursed for buying period panties by your FSA account.

Menstrual Cup

Likewise, a menstrual cup can be used for one to two years. At $40, one of these could quickly save you money if you replace disposable tampons for it.

Reusable Bamboo Make Up Remover Pads

If you’re currently using disposable make up remover pads, consider switching to reusable bamboo make up remover pads. You can buy a 20 pack for $3.99 on Amazon, and, according to Good Housekeeping, they can last you for over 500 to 1,000 washes!

Subscription/Membership Services

Some people adamantly refuse to pay money to save money when it comes to subscriptions and memberships, but I disagree. Paying for these can be an excellent way to save money.

Amazon Prime

An Amazon Prime membership costs roughly $130 a year (including taxes). While that sounds like a lot, our family finds that the membership pays for itself in many ways. Many other Americans must feel the same. As of 2019, there are over 90 million Amazon Prime account holders in the United States (Fortune).

For our family, the free shipping alone covers the cost of an annual membership. However, an Amazon Prime account can also save you money on entertainment—take advantage of Amazon’s free movies and TV shows as well as music, books, and magazines.

Costco

Costco is another membership-based company that can save you money. We save a lot on organic food and foods that cater to our many food intolerances including almond milk, gluten free pancake mix, and other items.

In addition, their clothes are very reasonable, as are their restaurant gift cards. Don’t forget their discounts on car rentals or their discounted gas. Also, one of my favorites is their two year warranty and concierge service on products like computers and televisions. There are many, many ways having a Costco membership can save you money.

Final Thoughts

While most of these products that save money require that you spend money up front, the investment is worthwhile for the amount of money you’ll be saving over the next few years.

What are your favorite products that save money?

Costco Can’t Be Beat for Large Purchases

Is a Costco Membership Worth It When Living Alone?

5 Ways to Save on an Amazon Prime Membership

Free Alternatives for Things You Currently Pay For

MelissaB

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in New York, where she loves the natural beauty of the area.