At what income would you hire a weekly chef to prepare meals?

[Anonymous]

Pp here sorry I just saw that you tried those services. I'd say you're in good financial shape so... try it and see. We have kids. Mortgage etc so it would be a splurge but in your case I think you have a lot of freedom.

[Anonymous]

We can't answer this question because it isn't based on income. Rather, it's based on income and expenses.

If you can spare $1,200/month, go for it. We can't tell if you can actually spare it bc we don't know what your mortgage is, etc.

Personally, I would rather put $1,200/month towards travel.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I woke up this morning and was like... $1200 a month, wtf was I thinking? I was just really burnt out last night and dreading the weekend menu planning, making a grocery list, shopping for the week, etc.

I did find someone who could probably prep a lot of our meals (and freeze many of them) for more like $500 a month. That seems more reasonable. But yeah, $1200 a month is too much, even if we have the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I woke up this morning and was like... $1200 a month, wtf was I thinking? I was just really burnt out last night and dreading the weekend menu planning, making a grocery list, shopping for the week, etc.

I did find someone who could probably prep a lot of our meals (and freeze many of them) for more like $500 a month. That seems more reasonable. But yeah, $1200 a month is too much, even if we have the money.

Ha, I often think after posting here Wtf was I thinking, and was really jist venting the first time around. I was silently rolling my eyes at you and glad you came to your senses.

[Anonymous]

How many clients could one of these chefs have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I woke up this morning and was like... $1200 a month, wtf was I thinking? I was just really burnt out last night and dreading the weekend menu planning, making a grocery list, shopping for the week, etc.

I did find someone who could probably prep a lot of our meals (and freeze many of them) for more like $500 a month. That seems more reasonable. But yeah, $1200 a month is too much, even if we have the money.

That seems more reasonable. But to answer your other question, I'd spend it if it frees you up to do things you like. Personally I like to cook so there isn't any HHI I'd hire a chef since cooking with my kids is enjoyable. BUT DH and I hired cleaners and lawncare when are HHIs were much lower 10 years ago and never regretted that decision. I also pay to have groceries delivered when I don't feel like shopping.

[Anonymous]

We didn't hire the chef until we hit $1 million HHI.

[Anonymous]

$1million. Or maybe $750k

[Anonymous]

I think grocery shopping it a bigger time suck than cooking. Finding someone to shop for you would be much cheaper. I don't fault you for out sourcing. Plenty of people outsource all yard work without a moment of guilt. Is the meal planning/shopping/ and cooking generally all on you? Would your husband step up and cook a few days a week? Or..move your main meal to lunch and eat lightly for dinner. No answers, just brainstorming.

[Anonymous]

750 000

[Anonymous]

Some friends of mine (they were living in Philly at the time) bought all their meals pre-prepared from the Amish. Not sure where they found her, but they had some lady making all their meals. It was something like 4-5 meals per week- they'd pick them up already plated and ready to eat.

[Anonymous]

We are in the $800-$1m range and I wouldn't do it. That's really pricey. But easy for me to say because DH does most of the cooking. I do want to try blue apron - just haven't done it yet. Why didn't those services work?

[Anonymous]

We are at the $800kish range and there's no way i would spend that money. But we do spend $100 a week for a cleaner, and we also enjoy cooking. But your HHI is that point where you think you have a decent income, so you get a cleaner, you both join a higher end gym, buy clothes as desired, take a vacation every year, eat out whenever you want, but you don't feel like you're spending crazy money. You feel like with your income, the money is going to start racking up. But after a year, you've only saved your 401k max plus another $20k. And it's a long, hard climb to a comfortable retirement by only saving $20k a year.

[Anonymous]

I like cooking, OP, so I probably wouldn't do it at any income level.

Why not get an Instant Pot and take advantage of the slow cooking and pressure cooking? You can even saute and then slow cook, etc. It really cuts down on the prep you have to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in the $800-$1m range and I wouldn't do it. That's really pricey. But easy for me to say because DH does most of the cooking. I do want to try blue apron - just haven't done it yet. Why didn't those services work?

They're still a lot of work, especially if your spouse doesn't help. I've never made a meal in less than an hour. They save on meal planning and shopping, but not the actual cooking. I find they take longer because of the prep time.