Food is usually the biggest variable expense category. Unlike rent or phone bills, food spending is highly controllable — if you track it.
Why Food Spending Matters
Average food spending:
- India: ₹5,000-15,000/month per person
- USA: $400-800/month per person
- UK: £200-500/month per person
The range is huge because food is so variable. Tracking reveals where you actually fall.
Break Down Food Categories
Don't lump all food together. Split into:
- 🛒 Groceries — Cooking at home
- 🍽️ Restaurants — Dining out
- 📦 Food Delivery — Swiggy, DoorDash, Uber Eats
- ☕ Coffee/Snacks — Daily small purchases
- 🍺 Alcohol — Track separately if significant
The Hidden Costs
Food Delivery Premium
A meal from a restaurant:
- Dine-in: ₹300 / $15
- Delivery: ₹300 + ₹30 platform fee + ₹40 delivery + ₹30 packing = ₹400 / $20
33% markup for the same food.
Coffee Shop Habit
- Starbucks daily: $5 × 20 days = $100/month
- Home coffee: $20/month for premium beans
- Savings: $80/month = $960/year
Impulse Grocery Shopping
Going to the store without a list adds 20-40% to your bill.
How to Track Effectively
- Log immediately — After every food purchase
- Use sub-categories — Groceries vs dining vs delivery
- Include tips — They add up
- Track snacks — Small purchases matter
Setting a Food Budget
- Track for 2-4 weeks without a budget
- Review where money went
- Set realistic targets for each sub-category
- Adjust monthly based on results
Sample Food Budget (India, Single Person)
| Category | Budget |
|---|---|
| Groceries | ₹4,000 |
| Dining Out | ₹2,000 |
| Food Delivery | ₹1,500 |
| Coffee/Snacks | ₹1,000 |
| Total | ₹8,500 |
Tips to Reduce Food Spending
- Meal prep — Cook in batches
- Grocery list — Never shop without one
- Limit delivery — 1-2 times per week max
- Bring lunch — Office lunches add up
- Coffee at home — Invest in good beans
Start Tracking Food Expenses
See exactly where your food money goes.