No Eating Out for a Month: My Messy, Honest Money Win

Why Did I Even Start?

Let’s just rip off the band-aid up front: I didn’t do my no eating out for a month challenge because I love to cook. I mean… does anyone actually enjoy washing Tupperware and scrubbing out the sink for fun? If so, come over. You can do my dishes while I spill what happened when I put the brakes on my favorite (and my wallet’s most hated) habit—takeout.

For me, eating out wasn’t about fancy restaurants or big celebrations. It was the lunchtime sushi run, that suspiciously expensive salad after work, grabbing coffee because I “deserved” it (spoiler: I always think I deserve it). And it added up—like, are-you-kidding-me levels of money down the drain each month. So, when my credit card bill showed I’d spent more on burritos than groceries… oof. That stung. You know that weird feeling when you realize you’re leaking cash on autopilot? Yeah, not fun. Time for a little experiment.

What Even Counts?

Wait, is pizza delivery cheating?

Quick reality check. I didn’t banish myself from anything edible that wasn’t grown in my backyard. I still bought groceries, of course. If I heated up a frozen pizza or grabbed a rotisserie chicken, that was fair game. But if it involved a menu, a tip, or a delivery app—which, let’s be honest, I could use in my sleep—it was off limits. So yes, no eating out for a month literally meant no restaurants, drive-thrus, Uber Eats, “let’s just grab something while we’re out…” Nada. (I can hear your wallet clapping from here.)

Real-life side note (because we’re friends):

The last “pre-challenge” meal I had was drive-thru fries and, honestly, they were cold. Not exactly a poetic bon voyage to my takeout habit.

Counting the Real Costs

What’s so bad about a casual sandwich?

If you’ve ever wondered—is eating out a waste of money—let me paint the picture. Before my experiment, I easily blew $40 to $60 a week on takeout, often more if I was too tired to cook. There are countless nights where I’d promise myself it was “just this once.” Who was I kidding? Even is eating out a waste of money feels like a rhetorical question when you add it up on a spreadsheet.

And the “I’m too tired” excuse? It’s real. But so are the numbers. Let’s see how this pans out in a simple table, based on my actual habits.

That’s $320 a month—just for skipping takeout. Not small change, right? And that’s not even counting impulse coffees (which… ouch, let’s not talk about it).

So, do you really save money not eating out because of grocery spending going up? Sure, a bit. But it’s not even close. Even when you treat yourself to nicer groceries, you’re going to come out ahead. Check out do you really save money not eating out because of for a breakdown if numbers make your heart skip a beat (in a good way).

Fighting the Cravings

What about social events and “treats”?

This part was rough. Let’s be honest—it’s not just about food, it’s about routine. Friday nights were my “I earned this” ritual. My social life? Mostly revolved around “where do we eat?” For the first week, I felt kind of lost… and grumpy. I kept reaching for my phone during lunch breaks, ready to order.

But here’s what surprised me: the cravings faded. Seriously. The first Friday, I was dying for pizza. By the third Friday, I’d gotten creative—DIY “takeout” night at home. I turned a boring cheese pizza into something glorious with whatever veggies I could scrounge. (Try roasted broccoli and hot sauce. Trust me.)

Copycat magic to the rescue:

• Chipotle bowls at home: Rice, black beans, roasted chicken, and a ton of avocado.
• Pasta “takeout” night: Garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and whatever noodles I found in the back of the pantry.
• Breakfast-for-dinner: Always a win, always cheaper than brunch out.

I even found myself inviting friends over… and hey, suddenly “potluck” sounded like fun instead of a punishment. Who knew?

Dealing With Boredom

Doesn’t homemade get old fast?

You’d think so. But—if I can be dramatic for a second—I rediscovered how good simple food is. Homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup? Way better than soggy $8 soup from a deli. And when I started actually tasting my food, and not just eating in the car or at my desk, something shifted. I felt a little…proud? Like, “Ha! Look at me making a meal and not spending $20!”

Little “hacks” that helped:

• Theme nights. Taco Tuesday is cliché for a reason.
• Sundae bar. Make dessert a big deal. Cheaper than pints of ice cream at the shop.
• Crockpot meals. Absolute lifesaver for the “I can’t” days. Throw stuff in, forget about it, and dinner appears.

Seeing the Results (and the Hiccups)

When do you actually notice changes?

Week one? I noticed how bored I was of my own cooking. But by week two, something more interesting happened: my pants fit a little better. I had more energy. And—this one’s wild—I genuinely missed eating out way less than I expected. It wasn’t all rose petals and progress though. There were nights I opened my delivery app just to torture myself, and days I ate oatmeal for dinner because I was over it. But every time I didn’t give in, I got a little boost.

It didn’t hit me until the end of the month: I hadn’t had to check my bank account before grocery shopping. I had a little extra socked away. That feeling? Better than any takeout burger. No joke.

Oh, and the social life thing? Nothing broke. I swapped Friday happy hours for coffee morning walks. I even had a “bring your own snacks” movie night with friends at home. It was fun. No one went hungry.

What About the Benefits?

Is it really worth it?

Honestly? Yes. Sure, benefits of not eating out are mostly sold as “you’ll save money and lose weight!” Both are true. But it’s the little things that sneak up on you:

• Less stress at bill time. Not scanning statements in horror.
• Actual appetite for the food you buy. Because you planned it.
• Pride. (That’s allowed, right?)
• Fewer regrets. I never once woke up thinking, “I wish I’d ordered more delivery last month.”

And if you’re still sitting there thinking, “well, what if my grocery bill just grows to fill the takeout gap?” Give this a quick test: do you really save money not eating out because of higher grocery costs? Yes. You have control over what you buy, eat leftovers, and “restaurant night” turns into whatever you want. (Also… leftovers are awesome. Fight me.)

If you want more ideas on strategies and tricks to keep the groceries in check, check out how to stop eating out and save money. It’ll help.

But What If You Mess Up?

Real life happens. Now what?

I’d be lying if I said I was 100% perfect for 30 days… If you slip (I did—hello, surprise birthday cake at work), don’t sweat it. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Every meal you cook at home is a win. When you fall off, hop back on. No guilt.

Trust me, nobody gets this 100% right. Even folks on those wild Reddit frugality threads admit they sometimes grab a bargain deli sandwich because—well, life. But even with the odd bump, the savings, health, and honestly the sense of control build up over the weeks. It gets easier, too.

My Top Messy Money Tips

You’re ready to try no eating out for a month? (Or a week, or… whatever doesn’t make your head explode?) Here’s my “I survived and didn’t starve” kit:

• Make a meal rotation with family favorites—cut decision fatigue.
• Batch cook. Future-you will thank current-you when it’s Wednesday and you just can’t.
• Pick fun “restaurant copycats” to experiment with. Some will flop, but it’ll make for a good story.
• Find an accountability buddy—even if it’s just reporting wins and fails to your group chat.
• If you stumble, don’t quit. Laugh, reset, and keep moving.

Getting more ideas? Take a look at do you really save money not eating out because of for even more real-life proof and breakdowns, or how to stop eating out and save money when you need that little pep talk.

Wrapping It Up (And Cheering You On!)

Okay, I admit it. I started this no eating out for a month thing mostly out of panic. But what I found was way more than a pile of extra cash at the end of the month (though, real talk, that was pretty great). The real win was noticing I could do hard, sometimes annoying things—and come out the other side feeling kind of amazing. Less stress. More control. Food tasted better, I felt better, and my bank account didn’t make me want to cry.

If you’re even toying with the idea of skipping takeout for a bit, do it. Start with a week. Swap one meal at a time. It all counts. And hey, if you miss a day? No biggie. Just keep going. Next thing you know, you’ll look back and realize you’ve built this little well of confidence and—maybe—a fatter savings account without ever touching a delivery app. That’s a feeling worth chasing.

You in? What would you do with an extra $300 next month? Let me know your tricks and flops. Remember, it’s your money—and your adventure. Go cook something (and let the takeout menus collect dust for a while).