A Childless Couple Spent Almost $12K On Dining Out In 2024—Now They Feel Like Failures And Ask How To Build The Willpower To Cook At Home

In a recent viral Reddit post, a couple revealed they spent a staggering $11,641.01 on dining out in 2024 and now feel like “failures” for not cooking at home more often. Despite having a high combined income and no kids, they struggle with motivation, especially after long workdays. 

“We both have lost the mental capacity to get ourselves to make food at home. How do you all do it? How do you have the willpower to cook at home even when you’re exhausted?” the  poster admitted and asked for advice. 

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From Frugal Beginnings to Takeout Dependence

They also shared that when they first moved in together in 2020 and bought a house, their financial situation was much different. Their salaries were low, and they had to be extremely frugal, which meant cooking at home every day. Back then, they simply didn't have a choice. They had to make it work. However, after their salaries increased significantly, their motivation to cook at home dropped. “Suddenly, we don't want to cook. Suddenly, we're too tired to cook.”

Their post received over 1,300 responses, with people offering practical solutions and tough love.

The Real Problem

Many users pointed out that the couple's struggle isn’t necessarily about cooking itself but failing to plan meals before exhaustion kicks in. One commenter put it bluntly: “You cook before you get hungry. Not after a 10-hour shift.”

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Meal planning emerged as the most popular solution, with many suggesting setting aside time once a week to decide what to eat. “What my wife and I do is take 20-30 minutes each week to plan out our dinner menu in a shared note on our phones,” one Redditor explained. Having easy, ready-to-go meals like frozen pizzas, pre-cooked meats, and slow cooker recipes helps avoid the temptation to order takeout.

Meal Prepping for the Win

Batch cooking was another game-changing tip. Many users swear by making large portions of meals that can be refrigerated or frozen for later. “I make 2-3 dishes and put them in containers, ready to heat and eat! Just need a carb, protein, and veg,” one user shared.

For those who don't like eating the same meal every night, another Redditor recommended prepping ingredients instead: “I cook the meat in batches so I'm halfway there. Mentally, it's easier if I just have to make the sides instead of the whole meal.”

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A Mindset Shift

One of the most liked comments suggested treating dining out as a reward, not a default option: “We only eat out to have fun and enjoy ourselves, not out of necessity or failure to plan.” Another user agreed: “Without fail, when we're stuffed, we love saying the meal was ‘free’ as opposed to $100-200 at a restaurant.”

Is Spending This Much on Takeout Really a Problem?

A few users questioned whether the couple should even feel guilty in the first place. “If you are saving appropriately, what's the problem?” one asked. The original poster clarified that they're not financially struggling but felt the amount was “absurd.” “That's money that could've gone towards painting my house or another vacation.”

If you're stuck in a takeout rut, the solution might not be willpower—but a little planning and a few easy go-to meals.

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