Question

Does anyone here use a prepared meal service (HomeChef, BlueApron, Freshly)? We are doing it now because we were losing so much money going out to eat and we just do not have time to cook. My wife and I work different shifts, and we want our weekend time together. It was a big chunk of our food budget, but not compared to how much we were spending on going out and I am justifying it because it's gotta be healthier than fast food, right?! We get our first Freshly order on Sunday and for the first time I'm really excited to eat at home  

Answer 1

Never tried any delivery service foods because the meals aren't anything we would normally eat and they seem more expensive than just buying the ingredients on sale yourself and stocking up fridge and freezer. Make a list of your households favorite 10 to 12 meals, try Walmart pick up to save time (pick up on way home from work). Rotate those favorite meals throughout the month making enough for leftovers for lunches or another nights dinner. Instapot and 3-5 ingredient slow cooker meals saves time and lots of money for us. I have 1 hr to myself each night and I do my budgeting, meal planning, grocery list and anything else I can fit in like ck what food items on hand etc. chicken, potatoes/rice and a veg or side salad with instapot = 20 mins. Once you get started with meal planning, it will give you that family time you want and save money.  

Comments

@peracid, oh don't worry! We've done everything you have listed above. We are giving this a shot this time though  

Answer 2

What if you took time to meal prep together on the weekend? I have used it before but felt it was just so expensive. If you truly don’t have time I can see how it would be a good fit!  

Comments

@bice4800 Anne, would love to meal prep on the weekend but my wife works 70+ hours a week and we have toddler twins, so we are really busy on the weekends!  

Answer 3

I occasionally order from Home Chef and have loved everything but it is expensive so we dont do it often.  

Answer 4

We use Hello Fresh and while we enjoy it, it takes so long to prepare(I am home alone during this time and do have to take frequent breaks to redirect a puppy though ). It does not save me any time, therefore the money is not worth the convenience. We have a few meals left and then we will cancel. I would so much rather pay for a meal through Freshly or something similar that it’s already prepared! But I will be doing my own freezer meal prep as it will be cheaper and faster!  

Answer 5

I’ve done Freshly before and loved it - but it’s definitely pricey for my budget. It’s more of a sometimes thing for me now instead of all the time. I tend to use it more when life is crazy in the spring with kiddos in sports.  

Answer 6

We crockpot most mornings, soups, stews, roasts and chili. Always something hot to eat even when we’re out most of the day. Miko has an entire month of recipes on IG.  

Answer 7

I loved hello fresh. I think it’s affordable and the quantities are perfect for two. I did it when I was single mom with two little girls. I’m engaged now and we are a family of 4 and hello fresh just isn’t enough food. I do eMeals now and my list gets sent for grocery pick up. As a full time working mom and feeding a cowboy. I love it

Answer 8

We use HelloFresh, we use to use it weekly bc it saves the dreadful question of what’s for dinner? But now I meal plan and shop ahead of time and write it up on a board so everyone can see & maybe help. I still use HelloFresh once every 3 weeks just to mix things up a bit. On my meal plan weeks I use the recipe cards from our previous HelloFresh orders and make them again.  

Answer 9

We love homechef

Comments

@intermittent, with HomeChef are you able to just buy already prepared meals that you put in the oven? All the commercials I see are more like Blue Apron and you have to prepare everything!  

Answer 10

We used home chef but it really is cheaper to buy your own. It’s a veggie and protein

Answer 11

I order from every plate $4. 99 a serving. Really like the convenience of shopping and menu done for me but I get to enjoy cooking again.  

Answer 12

I’m not currently using one of those services but I really enjoyed it when I have in the past. And if you have kids it’s awesome because the recipes are usually so simple they can get involved or make things on their own. My favorite was Plated and I felt like the secret to getting my money’s worth was choosing options that seemed the most expensive, like salmon or steak, or any dishes that sounded more gourmet. Enjoy cooking at home!  

Answer 13

I love freshly. It tastes great and it’s portion sized so you’re not over eating and it’s not as bad as frozen meal with preservatives. So I think it’s a huge win. I think it works well for me because my bf and I have no kids so we split the cost of the 12 meal plan. I have two jobs and study so time to cook is scarce. So I’m super thankful for it. My boyfriend how ever does prefer to cook so once I’m done with my studies we will be cooking together more and bringing our freshly meal membership down to occasionally have quick meals instead of eating out

Answer 14

I have also use hello fresh. And loved their recipes. Haven’t had any issues with ingredient quality.