Wasted $120 on a meal prep kit subscription for 3 weeks

I signed up for HelloFresh thinking it'd save me time and money on groceries. After 3 weeks I'd spent $120 and still had to buy extra stuff like oil and spices they didn't include. The portions were tiny too, I was hungry an hour after eating. Plus the packaging waste was ridiculous, cardboard and plastic for every single ingredient. Has anyone else found these kits to be a ripoff or did I just pick the wrong plan?

3 comments

3 Comments

murphy.mason4d ago

Read a news article saying meal kits actually cost more than buying groceries yourself.

taylor.reese3d ago

That University of Ottawa study from last year actually found meal kits can cost 30-50% more per serving compared to just buying the ingredients yourself. But here's the thing, a lot of those comparisons don't factor in the stuff you already have in your pantry. You know, like oil, salt, spices, and other basics you end up buying anyway when you shop. If you're starting from zero with a bare kitchen, the difference is way smaller than people think.

ruby_jones4d ago

Agree with you @murphy.mason, the convenience markup is real lol.