I second the recommendation to try munchery! There is no labor like blue apron or hello fresh and the meals are delicious, varied, and healthy. I always like to think of trying big expenses like this incrementally. If there is an in between option that costs half as much, try that first and see if it solves the issue for less. That said, you sound like you are fiscally responsible and can afford it so no harm in trying it for a month to see how it works out.

We have have over a million dollar income and many millions in assets and I would never do this. I still go to cheaper grocery stores for better buys on produce when possible, so this would be way out of my comfort zone.

Fwiw, we have a HHI of $1.3M and we don't hire a chef. Two full time working parents, I do virtually all of the meal prep, including packing lunch for two elementary kids. I don't bat at eye at ordering food in, though, when I need a break, or using grocery delivery every once in a while (esp when DH is on the road).

If you want healthy food without a restaurant bill, why don't you go to Wegmans and buy the pre-assembled meals that you thrown in the oven at home? It would even be cheaper than a chef for you to hire someone to go pick up the wegmans (or whole foods) items for you and deliver them at your convenience (i.e. a personal errands person).

I think you are making this harder than it has to be with the chef thing. Maybe you could hire someone to make 10 freezer meals for you for a month and then you mix in a few of your own dishes (or take out) plus the left overs of the 10 meals. Seems like that would be more practical. I used to make freezer meals at "Let's Dish" (a business), but I'm not sure if they are still in the DMV market anymore. We used two of those per week with one meal of leftovers. (3 meals from LEt's Dish). Then a night of pizza (4th meal) and I'd throw in spaghetti one night and tacos on another.... and that pretty much gets you through the week.

I think a better way to look at this is how much of your disposable income are you willing to spend. If your HHI is 240, so let's say take home of 150 after taxes and 401ks and insurance, and your expenses are 60, you have 90k you can do whatever you want with. Do you want to spend 16% of your extra disposable income on this service?

Other people may have higher HHI, but they probably also have way higher expenses and general spending. Comparing amount left over after regular spending is a better measure. And it's kind of funny because a lot of them are being very judgemental, saying you're wanting to "pretend" to be rich, but they probably spend way more money on equally luxurious things and may have less money left over than you do.

Let's face it, you're well off with that kind of income to expense ratio... now it's just a question of priorities and what you value.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Munchery.com. Pre-prepared meals ready to go in the over. Delicious, reviews are on point, and oh so easy, and healthy.

This. It's almost like a personal chef.
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OP here. Oh man, not available in our area yet. Thanks for the suggestion!

I like Hello Fresh/Plated to mix it up sometimes, but it takes longer in the evening than my bulk cooking/freezer meals.

I am good though, I did some meal prep yesterday and planned out the rest of the month of meals, so I'm feeling a lot better about things. Was just burned out at the end of a long week and should have gone to bed versus falling down a rabbit hole on the Internet researching chefs and other things I didn't feel like doing right then. I have such a better perspective/attitude in the morning than late at night.

Anonymous wrote:Munchery.com. Pre-prepared meals ready to go in the over. Delicious, reviews are on point, and oh so easy, and healthy.

This. It's almost like a personal chef.

We use Hello Fresh, because my main issue is planning meals and going shopping. That part is done for me, then I just have to cook, which I enjoy. Our HHI is about 4x of OPs.

I would do it if I were you, especially if it results in healthier eating and eating out less.

We have kids, and so our babysitter prepares dinner every night as part of her duties. So we get home every night at 6pm and dinner is ready.

Good Lord, try it already, OP!
It sounds like you're dying to try it, so try it - it won't bankrupt you.
I am surprised you can't manage to cook for yourself, but that's another story.

Anonymous wrote:$1million. Or maybe $750k

$750K is way too risky for this. They could MAYBE get away with $850k if they can cut back other things like Smartphones, two-ply toilet paper, and peak time Metro rides.

Oh, my gosh. If I could afford it, I would hire a personal chef in a minute! I love to cook, but I get so tired of the daily slog - especially when I get home late and all I want to do is relax. Go for it, OP!

Munchery.com. Pre-prepared meals ready to go in the over. Delicious, reviews are on point, and oh so easy, and healthy.

Seems like a big spend for your income level, but your costs are low in general, so go for it and see how it works out. I think I'd be more inclined to pick up a couple of pre-made meals each week from healthy restaurants or grocers.

We make more than you, but we live in Montgomery county, so it would take a lot more money for us to consider that kind of service.

We have the same income. I do hellofresh and my nanny cooks them as part of her duties. I supplement with a veggie and salad. My kids are school age and are usually during homework and bath. Hot meal when we get home!