A new debate has taken over social media: Are frequent food delivery users unknowingly losing ₹6 lakh a year?
The claim comes from CA Nitin Kaushik, whose analysis on X has gone viral and sparked intense discussion.
The Spending Pattern He Highlights
According to Kaushik, many urban Indians spend:
₹35,000–40,000 per month on Swiggy/Zomato orders.
This includes:
- meals
- snacks
- fees
- delivery charges
- platform commissions
Across a year, this totals several lakh rupees.
His Alternative: Hire a Home Cook
Kaushik argues the same money could be used more efficiently:
- Cook salary: ₹5,000–10,000
- Groceries: ₹6,000–12,000
- Utensils / kitchen upgrade: a few thousand
- Total: Much lower than monthly delivery expenses
Based on this, he claims a person can save up to ₹6 lakh annually.
His Rationale
He says the shift helps in:
- Health – Less oil, less sugar, fewer processed foods
- Economics – Direct employment instead of platform fees
- Savings – Significant leftover money for investing or other goals
Why Many People Disagree
Not everyone buys the ₹6 lakh argument.
- Not everyone orders expensive meals
Some users say their monthly delivery spend is far lower.
- Convenience is the real product
People who work long hours or live alone value time saved more than cost savings.
- Higher spenders often have higher incomes
They argue that people who spend ₹40,000/month often do so because they can afford it.
- Hiring and managing a cook isn’t simple
There are challenges like:
- scheduling
- reliability
- compatibility
- space
- monthly negotiation
The Larger Question
This debate isn’t really about numbers. It’s about lifestyle trade-offs.
Food delivery offers unmatched convenience. Home-cooked meals offer cost and health advantages.
Which one is “better” depends entirely on a person’s:
- income
- schedule
- priorities
- health goals
