If your food bills sometimes feel like they’re eating your paycheck faster than a viral TikTok snack trend, you’re definitely not alone. In 2023, a study revealed that 58% of urban Indonesians were spending over Rp 1.5 million per month on food—between groceries, deliveries, and dining out. That’s around Rp 18 million annually! For many, that’s a huge chunk of their income, and it often goes unnoticed until the bank balance is looking thin. But here’s the good news: cutting down on food expenses doesn’t mean you have to survive on instant noodles or sacrifice tasty meals. With a few smart tweaks, you can save a lot while still enjoying delicious eats.
Ready to start saving? Let’s dig in!
1. The Hidden Cost of “Convenient Eating”
Convenience has a price, and it’s not always obvious. Take Jakarta in May 2024, where the average person spends around Rp 1.2 million on groceries monthly. Then add about Rp 800K for food delivery services like GoFood and GrabFood, and another Rp 500K on coffee, snacks, or quick bites. That’s a total of Rp 2.5 million per month or Rp 30 million a year just on food-related expenses!
Food delivery apps in Indonesia made around Rp 9.8 trillion in revenue during 2023 alone. The surge isn’t just from hunger—it’s the lure of convenience, the ease of ordering with a tap. But if you can find ways to cut back, even a small 20% reduction can save you over Rp 600,000 per month.
2. Track What You Actually Eat and Spend
Awareness is the first step to saving. Many people underestimate how much they spend on “little” items throughout the day. For example, a Bandung university student used a simple spreadsheet in July 2023 and found they were spending Rp 380K every 10 days just on coffee and bread.
Tracking expenses doesn’t have to be complicated. Apps like Spendee, Jenius, or even good old Excel can help. Keep receipts or use your phone’s wallet app to monitor spending habits.
Surprisingly, a 2022 report showed Indonesians waste about 23% of cooked meals every week, which translates to wasted money too! Imagine saving that portion instead of throwing it away.
3. Smart Grocery Habits That Actually Work
Going grocery shopping without a plan often leads to overspending and impulse buys. Planning three meals ahead reduces waste and can cut bills by 25%, according to a Nielsen study from 2022.
Try making a list and sticking to it. Avoid wandering the aisles aimlessly, especially when hungry—that’s a recipe for filling your cart with unnecessary treats.
Local markets often offer better prices, sometimes 15–30% cheaper than supermarkets. A Pekanbaru family once saved Rp 200K weekly by switching to local vendors for staples like rice, vegetables, and fish.
Check price-per-gram labels, avoid pre-packaged goods with extra fees, and buy seasonal produce for freshness and savings.
4. Batch Cooking: Time-Saving + Money Magic
Batch cooking means preparing multiple meals at once, freezing them in portions, and saving time and money. A freelancer in Surabaya discovered they could prepare lunches for around Rp 40K daily compared to Rp 110K for daily takeout, saving Rp 70K every day.
Over a month, that’s about Rp 2.1 million! Batch cooking also reduces temptation to order delivery when you’re tired.
Label your portions with cooking dates, rotate proteins weekly, and mix up spices to keep meals exciting. Even busy people can find two hours on weekends to batch cook and reap rewards all week.
5. Delivery Detox (or at Least Diet)
If delivery apps are a weak spot, set monthly limits. One couple from West Java capped GrabFood spending at Rp 300K starting May 2022. By August 2022, their delivery usage dropped 70%, saving over Rp 2.1 million.
Removing saved payment details from apps adds a small but effective barrier to impulse ordering.
You can also schedule “delivery-free days” — say, Mondays and Thursdays — to reset habits. Over time, these simple actions reduce your food expenses without feeling like deprivation.
6. Eating Out Without Overspending
Eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. Take advantage of promos on apps like ShopeeFood or GoFood; many restaurants offer 20–40% discounts during off-peak hours (2 pm – 5 pm).
Skipping extra drinks and desserts saves a significant amount—restaurant portions have increased by about 30% since 2018, so consider sharing meals. Two friends splitting a Rp 100K pizza in Bandung can each save Rp 50K while still feeling full.
Use loyalty programs and always check for cashback options to maximize every dine-out.
7. Snacks, Drinks & “Little” Expenses
Daily coffee shops visits quickly add up. Someone buying an Rp 28K latte every day in 2023 spent nearly Rp 840K monthly—over Rp 10 million a year.
Switching to homemade coffee or matcha tea costing Rp 7K can save close to Rp 23 million annually. Treating yourself once a week instead of every day still keeps morale high without gutting your budget.
This applies to snacks, sodas, and juices too—small changes multiply.
8. Fun Challenges to Slash Spending
Turn savings into a game. Try a “no-spend food delivery” week or a “pantry month,” where you only cook from ingredients you already have.
One household saved Rp 1.5 million in 30 days by completely avoiding takeout in March 2024. Many people find these challenges motivating and eye-opening.
Invite friends or family to join. Compete or cooperate to hit savings goals.
9. Apps & Tools That Help
Leverage technology:
- Money Lover tracks budgets easily
- Plan to Eat simplifies meal prep
- ShopeePay offers cashback on food orders
- OVO Goals encourages small daily savings
Pair recipe apps like Cookpad Indonesia with budget planners to reduce waste and save money efficiently.
10. Reinvest Your Food Savings
When you save Rp 500K per month, don’t let it just sit. Try splitting that money: 50% to emergency savings, 30% into a simple investment account or platform like auronstex-app.co.uk, 20% for occasional treats or learning new skills.
A Jakarta graphic designer did exactly this in 2023 and saved Rp 6 million in six months, which paid for a coding bootcamp.
Conclusion: Spend Smarter, Not Less Deliciously
Food isn’t your enemy; the habits and waste are. By becoming aware, planning better, and making small changes, you can enjoy tasty meals while saving enough to grow your financial health.
Pick one tactic to start—track your coffee spending, batch cook, or set delivery limits. Soon, you’ll see the difference in your wallet and maybe even your waistline!
Saving money on food doesn’t mean sacrificing joy—it’s about making smarter choices. Every rupiah saved today is a decision your future self will thank you for.