Influencer blasted after revealing how much she spends each month on food delivery apps
With the cost of living creeping up, times have gotten tougher for many.But one food-obsessed influencer has sparked outrage after revealing just how much she spends on takeout.Kelsey Calemine, 27, better known by her online persona Fatherkels, opened up about her spending habits during an appearance on the 'Better Half With Stas + Alexis' podcast.During the interview, host Stas challenged her to guess how much she spends on food delivery each month.Calemine admitted the figure was 'kind of crazy' as the hosts began throwing out estimates.'She orders like three meals a day, you guys. She'll order everything - she'll order coffee,' Stas said as the guesses climbed.The first estimate came in at around $5,000 a month, but when Calemine hinted it was higher, the numbers kept rising - until she revealed she spends more than $10,000 a month on food delivery.The clip quickly went viral, drawing shock from viewers - but also a wave of backlash online. Kelsey Calemine, 27, better known by her online persona Fatherkels, opened up about her spending habits during an appearance on the Better Half With Stas + Alexis podcastOn Reddit, users were quick to criticize the spending, with many calling it out of touch amid a cost-of-living crisis.One user wrote that spending that much on takeout was 'completely detached from reality,' while another said it was 'more than most people's rent, bills and groceries combined.'Others questioned the lifestyle itself, pointing out that ordering three meals a day was 'unsustainable' and 'wildly wasteful,' while some criticized influencer culture more broadly for promoting excess.Some commenters suggested hiring a private chef could possibly be cheaper or work out the same. Still, a handful of commenters defended Calemine, arguing that high earners are free to spend their money how they choose, especially if it fits their lifestyle or work schedule.They also noted that she is helping to support businesses. One Redditor wrote: 'She's putting a lot of money into the hands of drivers and restaurants, I can't complain about that. 'Delivery orders helped the restaurant I worked for stay open during hard times.' Calemine's spending is largely driven by her heavy use of Postmates, a popular food delivery platform that allows users to order meals, groceries, and even household items directly to their door. Join the discussionWhat does spending $10,000 a month on takeout say about influencer culture and our society today? The first estimate came in at around $5,000 a month, but when Calemine hinted it was higher, the numbers kept rising - until she revealed she spends more than $10,000 a month on food delivery The influencer's spending stands in stark contrast to the average US consumer. Data from restaurant tech company TechRyde shows that Americans order food delivery around 1.1 times per week - roughly once every seven daysThe app was founded in 2011 in San Francisco and was acquired by Uber in a deal worth around $2.65 billion, completed in December 2020. The influencer's spending stands in stark contrast to the average US consumer. Data from restaurant tech company TechRyde shows that Americans order food delivery around 1.1 times per week - roughly once every seven days.Annual spending is also far lower, with the typical consumer shelling out about $1,850 a year on delivery.The market itself is dominated by a handful of major players. DoorDash holds the largest share at around 56 percent of the US food delivery market, followed by Uber Eats with roughly 23 percent. Grubhub accounts for about 16 percent, while smaller platforms, including Postmates, make up the remaining slice.
