Years Later, I’ve Discovered My Best Use of Food Delivery Services

Food Delivery Services

I’ve been a tentative adopter of food delivery services since the beginning.  I only started using them when credit cards began offering related benefits.  This is important to note because it has greatly influenced my views and use of such services.  A few years ago when Chase and Amex upped their benefits, I acquiesced.  This stuff comes with the cards, so I might as well use it, I thought.  And while I’m using it, I better maximize it.  And while I maximize it, I must overanalyze every potential decision before making one.  But I think I finally get it.  And I have a recent trip to thank for the realization.

A Busy Day of Travel

My wife, two kids, and I drove a few hours inland for a long weekend in our Commonwealth’s capital.  We arrived midday, checked into our hotel, and grabbed lunch at the new location of Torchy’s Tacos – one of this displaced Texan’s favorites.  We then jammed in some downtown sightseeing, including the capitol building.  Toward the end of the afternoon, I had that satisfying feeling of exhaustion.  We were beat, but we enjoyed the day’s varied experiences.

Oh, Yeah, Dinner

Our preferred downtown lodging option wasn’t practical for this trip, so we stayed on Richmond’s outskirts.  Rather than eating downtown, we were tired and wanted to head back.  Upon returning to the hotel area, we found ourselves in an unenviable situation – about 6 pm on a Saturday night, hungry in suburbia.

My days of waiting for a restaurant table are decades behind me.  In my view, the thought of doing so with children is a special kind of masochism.  The wife and I sat in our car, staring at our phones, looking for any solution.  Our kids sat patiently in the back.  We did a quick mile drag down the road and saw lines out restaurant doors everywhere.  The solution finally hit me.

DoorDash Delivers

I exclaimed, “Let’s go back to the room and order in!”  My wife and kids happily agreed before I could get all the words out.  Knowing I had a bunch of built-up credits from previous hobby activities, I pulled up the DoorDash app.  I ordered a big pizza and salad from Mellow Mushroom for the four of us to share.  Just over a half hour later, dinner was in our hands.

Paying More Isn’t Overpaying

Like other angles, I’ve been overprogrammed to maximize food delivery services and credits.  Looking for the best return, I’ve primarily opted for pickup.  But in situations like the one my family was in, maximizing our time and comfort in that moment took precedent.

In this instance, I paid someone else to do something so we could do nothing.  It was probably the best money (credits) I ever spent with a food delivery service.  In that moment, lying down after a busy day and having someone else figure out our dinner’s arrival was priceless.  Did I spend more this way than I would have tracking down dinner myself?  Yeah, but our time’s worth way more than that, at least then.

Food Delivery Services – Conclusion

I’ve used food delivery services during travel before, but there’s mostly been an undercurrent of maximizing value (dollars and cents) above all.  No more.  I’ll give up some of that to achieve more time value.  I’m doing that most everywhere else in my life, so why not here?

I’ve finally found my optimal use for food delivery services.  Some of you may find it comical I’m just coming to this realization.  But I bet I’m not alone.  Active hobbyists have a tendency to maximize everything, or at least an urge to do so.  Sometimes, YOLO is in order.  How do you use food delivery services to make your life simpler?

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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