The GLP-1 Savings Effect

GLP-1 medications are known for helping with weight management, but they might be quietly transforming something else, too... your bank account. In a recent survey of 963 GLP-1 users in the US and the UK, people reported big savings simply from eating and drinking less.

With fewer impulse orders and bar tabs, the financial benefits are adding up fast. This shift toward more mindful spending and living shows that GLP-1s could be influencing habits far beyond the dinner plate.

Key takeaways

• GLP-1 users in the US and U.K. cut their weekly food and alcohol spending by an average of 36%, saving up to $6,754 and £4,425 annually
• U.S. spending on restaurant dining fell 53%, and takeout/delivery dropped 42%. In the U.K., alcohol spend dropped 55%, and takeout/delivery fell 53%
• 64% say they’re more mindful with food purchases, and many are budgeting or tracking finances since starting GLP-1s
• 42% of Brits and 37% of Americans say they feel empowered and more in control due to GLP-1–related social shifts

Cutting cravings and costs: The budget bonus of GLP-1s

GLP-1 medications appear to be creating a ripple effect in users' budgets.

Americans taking GLP-1 medications reported cutting weekly food and alcohol spending by an average of 35%. The steepest drops were in restaurant dining (down 53%) and takeout or delivery (down 42%), pointing to a major lifestyle shift: fewer social outings and less reliance on convenience foods. Grocery spending declined more modestly, by just 22%.

These changes add up to significant savings. US users are saving an average of $130 per week, totaling about $564 a month or $6,754 a year.

Across the pond, U.K. users reported slightly greater average weekly savings of 37%. Alcohol spending dropped the most (by 55%), followed by takeout and delivery (down 53%). As with US users, these findings reflect a retreat from both social drinking and convenience culture.

Altogether, U.K. users are saving an average of £85 per week, or roughly £368 a month and £4,425 a year.

How GLP-1s reshape mindset and social habits

Lifestyle changes from GLP-1 medication use can be emotional, too. Many GLP-1 users say the medication has helped them adopt a more mindful approach to food and their social lives.

Around 64% of users said they feel more intentional about their grocery store purchases. That means less impulse buying and more planning. This shift in behavior could lead to long-term changes in both health and finances.

Americans were slightly more likely than Brits to say they feel more in control of their spending since starting GLP-1s (24% vs. 17%). US users were also more likely to say they had started budgeting or tracking their finances (18% vs. 14%).

Interestingly, both US and U.K. men were more likely than women to report discovering new social activities that don’t revolve around food or alcohol. That includes 25% of American men and 21% of British men, compared to 20% of women in the US and 19% of women in the U.K.

When it comes to social changes, 42% of U.K. users and 37% of US users said they feel more empowered and in control. Nearly half (44%) said they felt neutral about social shifts. Only a small percentage reported feeling socially disconnected, including 2% of Brits and 3% of Americans.

More than weight loss: GLP-1s reshape spending and self-control

GLP-1 medications are doing more than supporting weight loss. They are nudging users toward healthier, more intentional living. With fewer takeout meals and social drinks, users are not just saving money. They are discovering new routines, healthier habits, and greater control over their daily lives.

While social habits may evolve, most users feel that the tradeoffs are well worth the benefits. From slimmer bills to a more empowered mindset, the GLP-1 effect is proving to be more holistic than ever.

Methodology

We surveyed 963 individuals currently using GLP-1 medications, including 474 respondents from the United States and 489 from the United Kingdom. The majority of respondents (75%) identified as women, followed by men (24%) and non-binary individuals (1%).

Income levels were diverse across both countries. About 14% reported earning over $100,000 or £75,000 annually, while 10% earned between $80,000–$99,999 or £60,000–£74,999. Approximately 17% earned between $60,000–$79,999 or £45,000–£59,999, and 24% earned between $40,000–$59,999 or £30,000–£44,999. A combined 20% earned between $20,000–$39,999 or £15,000–£29,999, and 12% earned under $20,000 or £15,000. Just over 2% chose not to disclose their income.

Most respondents were employed, with 65% working full-time and 18% employed part-time. Others reported being unemployed (9%), retired (6%), or students (2%).

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