Hiring a Cook Cut Down Our $700 Monthly Takeout Bill Post-Baby

Five months after relocating from New York City to London, I became a mother.

With my career as an attorney and a penchant for a busy lifestyle, I anticipated using my maternity leave to its fullest potential.

I imagined crafting wholesome meals from scratch, having leisurely walks in London's parks with my baby and a pram, and relishing the home-centered life I'd postponed over the years of legal practice.

Reality, unfortunately, turned out quite different.

Dreams Meet Reality

The fresh produce I bought each week sadly went to waste, as my spouse and I compulsively ordered pricey restaurant deliveries.

Sleepless nights, round-the-clock nursing, and settling into parenthood in an unfamiliar city dashed my gourmet dreams.

A revelation hit me when I calculated our food spending, which amounted to roughly $670 monthly on delivered meals. The dual drain of spoiling groceries and hefty takeout sums felt daunting.

Sluggishness lingered, along with an inability to shed baby weight and a constant hunger. Knowing my breastfeeding diet was crucial for my baby's nutrients, something had to shift.

A transformation was needed.

Enlisting Culinary Assistance

The answer emerged quite unexpectedly through Facebook. Suggested by a local friend, I discovered a well-known group, 'Indians in Watford,' which connected me to a local chef charging an affordable $15 an hour.

Praised extensively by others, I reached out to her, instantly reminded of my familial roots when we conversed.

She now visits us twice each week, crafting meals for our entire schedule.

This $90 weekly expense has been nothing short of revolutionary for us.

Culinary Worries Begone

Her repertoire spans various cuisines: Indian, Thai, Indo-Chinese, Italian, and Mediterranean.

Our mornings feature options like chia bowls and tofu scrambles, while afternoons range from spicy and mild curries to stews and savory bakes.

Initially, there were some adjustments—making meals spicier, skipping certain vegetables, and reducing sodium. Now, the meals are perfectly tailored for us.

Meal planning demands no energy from us, freeing weekends for occasional cooking or treating ourselves to dining out, contingent on our child's nap patterns.

A Significant Shift in Costs and Energy

These days, our monthly food spending is down to about $270.

In a fortuitous twist, her portioned, healthy dishes have boosted my energy and helped me inch towards my pre-baby wardrobe.

Initially, I felt conflicted about outsourcing cooking, given my pre-birth ideas of maternity responsibilities. Eventually, I admitted my own boundaries.

In professional settings, delegation is second nature. Why not apply it to personal life?

Without the pressure of meal prep or cleanup, I relish spending more time with my baby, in this cherished London chapter.

What once seemed a luxury became a smart financial and wellness move for us. We've since entrusted her to tidy our home and watch over my child if I need a break.

I've come to realize that sometimes the best strategy is seeking the right help when needed, rather than handling everything solo.