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 216 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 are saving an average of $120 a week by cutting back on food and alcohol.
• Food and alcohol spending drops by 35% on average after starting GLP-1 medications.
• Grocery spending only falls by 21%, revealing that many users are still prioritizing nutritious eating at home.
• 63% of GLP-1 users say they feel more intentional with their food purchases.
• About 38% of GLP-1 users say they feel more empowered and in control of their lives since starting the medication.

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

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

GLP-1 users cut their weekly spending on food and alcohol by an average of 35%. That's a significant shift in everyday expenses, especially as eating out and social drinking tend to add up quickly. The biggest drop came from alcohol, which plummeted by 55%, followed by takeout at 44%. These numbers reflect a clear move away from impulse and convenience-based consumption.

Interestingly, grocery spending declined by only 21%. While this is still a notable reduction, it's relatively small compared to other categories. This may suggest that users are prioritizing quality home meals or responding to grocery price inflation. In fact, 12% of users said their grocery costs didn't change at all.

All in all, users reported saving an average of $120.24 per week, just by adjusting their food and alcohol habits. Over time, that adds up to an average of $480.96 each month or $6,252.48 per year. For many, this represents a substantial return on investment for a medication that's often framed purely around physical health.

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 take a more mindful approach to food and their social lives.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) said they feel more intentional with their food purchases. Instead of grabbing fast food or ordering takeout, they're thinking about what they really need and want. This shift in mindset could be the foundation for longer-term, sustainable behavior change.

Socially, experiences varied. Women were more likely than men to say their social lives hadn't changed (42% vs. 36%), while men were slightly more likely to report feeling socially disconnected since starting GLP-1 medication(10% vs. 7%). These shifts could be due to changes in social eating or drinking habits, which often play a big role in gatherings and outings.

Even with these adjustments, many GLP-1 users felt a net gain. About 38% said they felt more empowered and in control of their lives since starting the medication, while 40% felt neutral about the social changes. This suggests that for many, the tradeoff of fewer social indulgences may be worth the added sense of agency and well-being.

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

GLP-1 medications may be best known for supporting weight loss, but for many users, they're also a gateway to greater financial freedom and food awareness. Cutting back on alcohol and takeout has helped people save thousands each year while creating space for more intentional habits.

And while the shift away from social indulgences can feel isolating for some, a large portion of users are embracing the change, feeling more empowered, more in control, and more focused on long-term wellness.

Methodology

We surveyed 216 people currently using GLP-1 medications, with 207 respondents from the United States and 9 from the United Kingdom. Among respondents, 72% identified as women, 27% as men, and 1% as non-binary.

Income levels varied, with 22% earning over $100,000/£75,000 annually, 11% earning between $80,000–$99,999/ £60,000–£74,999, 23% earning between $60,000–$79,999/ £45,000–£59,999, and 20% in the $40,000–$59,999/£30,000–£44,999 range. On the lower end, 14% earned between $20,000–$39,999/$20,000–$39,999 / £15,000–£29,999, and 8% earned under $20,000/£15,000. Just under 2% preferred not to disclose their income.

Employment status skewed toward full-time work (74%), with 13% employed part-time, 6% retired, 6% unemployed, and about 1% identifying as students.

To contextualize user-reported savings, we compared average weekly spending data before and after GLP-1 use to published national averages:

• Groceries: U.S. households spend an average of $504 per month on groceries, or roughly $116/week, according to Ramsey Solutions (source).
• Restaurant Dining: The average U.S. household spends $3,228 per year on dining out—about $62/week—based on data from WalletHub (source).
• Takeout/Delivery Apps: A 2023 study from Upgraded Points found that Americans spend $70 per week on food delivery on average (source).
• Alcohol: Estimates from America Explained place the average U.S. household alcohol spending at about $500 annually, or just under $10/week (source).

These benchmarks were used to assess the magnitude of lifestyle changes reported by GLP-1 users, and to calculate the real-world impact of medication-related behavioral shifts.

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