Why Meal Kits Could Be A Better Option For Some Home Cooks
No matter if you're a family of four or need groceries for a party of one, local trips to your grocery store can cost a pretty penny today. Compared to 2021, 2022 grocery prices are up 10.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; the largest yearly increase in American history since 1980. With supply chain complications, increased gas prices, and Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers rose to 8.3% in 2022 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), people are looking for ways to trim their budgets and be more cost-efficient.
Thankfully, there's a way to save on not only your grocery bill but your overall gas mileage (via Go Baking Rates), all while minimizing food waste. These can be accomplished by subscribing to a meal kit delivery service. With dozens of make-it-yourself meal kit options like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, and Every Plate or reheated meal kit services like Freshly, Factor75, and Sun Basket, home cooking is more accessible than ever before. Suiting every type of dietary preference or eating lifestyle (like vegan, vegetarian, keto, or paleo), there's no shortage of menu options to suit your dietary needs. When it comes to price, meal kits can cost as low as $4.99 per serving, via Every Plate; cutting your grocery bill significantly.
Can meal kits pay for your next vacation?
The advantages of meal kits are endless. With unique menu ideas, time efficiency, minimal food waste, less gas mileage due to many trips to the supermarket, and, above all, at affordable prices. While not all meal kit services are as affordable as others (via Money Under 30), many offer incredible introduction deals, cashback services, and, yes, even airline miles for your next trip. According to Money under 30, if you're signing up for any number of the popular meal kit services without an incredible introduction rate, you're missing out. With some meal kits offering almost $100 off your first four boxes, depending upon the company, box, and sale provided.
On top of introduction offers, cashback sites will give you money back on top of your introduction rates if you shop through their portals, as found on Rakuten. Or suppose you'd rather take airline miles over cash back to fund your family vacation or adventure plane ticket according to The Points Guy. Airlines like United's Mileage Plus and American Airlines AAdvantage will give you hundreds or thousands of points just by signing up for your first box.
As you can see, meal kit services offer so much more than a curated menu and hassle-free grocery shopping. Overall, meal kits can trim money off your weekly grocery bill and even fund your next adventure.