Easy Ways to Cut Food Costs While Still Enjoying the Meals You Love
Takeaways can be a real comfort — especially on the days when life feels heavy, time is short, or energy is low. There’s nothing wrong with wanting an easy meal. But those small treats can quietly grow into a bigger monthly cost than we realise, especially once delivery fees and service charges are added.
It can help to pause and gently notice your own patterns. Was your last takeaway something you planned and looked forward to, or was it a quick decision because you were tired, overwhelmed, or out of ingredients? And afterwards, did it feel like a treat, or did it leave you wishing you’d spent a little less?
There’s no judgement here. We all have days like that. Our aim is simply to help you feel more supported and more in control of your choices — so your money can work for you, not against you.
That’s where fakeaways come in: homemade versions of your favourite takeaway dishes that keep the comfort while easing the pressure on your budget.
Why Fakeaways Can Be a Helpful Swap
Fakeaways aren’t about giving anything up — they’re about giving yourself more options. They can:
Cost far less than ordering in
Help you control ingredients and portion sizes
Make it easier to batch‑cook and freeze extra portions
Reduce last‑minute spending when you’re tired
Still feel like a cosy, comforting meal
Many fakeaway recipes are quick, simple, and surprisingly close to the real thing.
Ready Meals: A Backup for Busy Days
Some evenings, even a fakeaway feels like too much. That’s completely okay. Ready meals can be a helpful middle‑ground — quick, affordable, and far cheaper than a takeaway.
Picking up a ready meal on your way home, or keeping a few in the freezer, gives you a no‑stress option for the days when cooking just isn’t realistic. Even higher‑end supermarket ready meals usually cost much less than delivery, and many can be cooked straight from frozen.
A small freezer stash can give you peace of mind, knowing you always have something easy and affordable to fall back on.
Ready meals can be:
Quick to cook
Cheaper than takeaways
Easy to store
Helpful for reducing waste
Perfect for “can’t be bothered” evenings
They’re not a replacement for cooking — just another way to support yourself and your budget.
Fresh Fakeaway Inspiration
Instagram: Quick, Real‑Life Fakeaway Ideas
Instagram is full of short, practical videos showing how to recreate takeaway favourites at home. Searching “fakeaway dinner” or “fakeaway recipes” brings up lots of real home cooks sharing simple, affordable ideas.
Great for: quick inspiration, visual learners, easy weeknight meals.
Nicky’s Kitchen Sanctuary
Comforting, family‑friendly recipes with clear steps and approachable ingredients.
Great for: cozy meals, freezer‑friendly dishes.
Carly Bloggs — Fakeaway Archive
A whole section dedicated to fakeaways, written by a home cook for home cooks.
Great for: familiar flavours, simple recipes.
Nathan Anthony — Bored of Lunch
Healthier fakeaways designed for slow cookers and air fryers, with popular books and online recipes. Tip: His books are often available second‑hand or through your local library. @boredoflunch
When You Do Choose a Takeaway — Make It a Treat You Enjoy
There will always be nights when a takeaway is exactly what you need. When that happens, a few gentle habits can help your money stretch further:
Use cashback or reward apps if you have them
Make simple sides at home to reduce the cost
Split large portions and freeze leftovers
Treat takeaways as planned treats, not last‑minute defaults
Put the money you save with fakeaways into a small savings pot
Tip: leftover chippy chips freeze beautifully. Cool them, freeze on a tray, then bag them up. They reheat well in the oven or air fryer!
Final Thought
This isn’t about giving up takeaways or cooking every night. It’s about having choices that support your wellbeing, your time, and your budget.
Some days, a takeaway is the comfort you need. Other days, a fakeaway or a ready meal gives you the same warmth for much less money. When you make these choices intentionally, you give yourself more room to breathe — and more room in your budget for the things that matter most to you.