by Beks
I was out of town again last week for a training course. While I’m gone, my employer covers my per diem expenses so I’m always a little excited to save on the grocery budget… or what I HOPE to save on the grocery budget.
Hubby didn’t do too well the last time I was gone. There were a lot of debit transactions for McDonald’s and Rubio’s. Somehow, we still came out behind that week.
This time, I carefully stacked meals in the fridge and gave instructions on how to heat them.
‘OK, so the steak and potatoes are for Monday, the chicken pot pie for Tuesday, pizza Wednesday, and enchiladas on Thursday. I’ll be back home to make you dinner on Friday. There are apples to eat as snacks and a fresh gallon of OJ for breakfast with wheat bagels. Sound like a plan?’ I asked while standing with the refrigerator door open, pointing to the food.
‘Uh huh’ he said, half paying attention.
Fast forward to Friday…
I unloaded my bags, started a load of laundry, and then opened the fridge to grab an apple. Neatly stacked in the fridge, just as I had left them, were all the dinners I had prepared for the week.
Apparently, the 5 minute microwave time was simply too much – plus “a double bacon cheese burger sounded so much better at the time.”
Sigh.
It’s a good thing my husband is so darned lovable… otherwise, I’d have to kill him.
Next time, I’m taking his debit card with me.
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
I love going to those kinds of training courses for work, in fact I’m leaving for a 2 week one this coming Monday. The last time I traveled for training, I went with a bunch of guys who weren’t exactly interested in making money off the trip, but rather spending every dime they were given.
This time it’s just me… I’m thinking a $1 McDonald’s burger for lunch and dinner… maybe breakfast too… leaving me with $57 a day in profit…
LOL! Well at least you have some meals so hopefully there’s a savings in future grocery bills as you figure out the best time to eat the stack of food!
Ha! Sounds a bit familiar. I put together a few meals for my husband last time I left town for a few days, and they were still sitting there in the fridge when I got back. Apparently, he reverted to his bachelor ways and lived off pasta + sauce, bean burgers, and macaroni and cheese all week, with a few peanut butter sandwiches thrown in for good measure.
Whip that boy into shape!!
You know my man would be doing the same thing!
My fiance won’t eat leftovers.
>Next time, I’m taking his debit card with me.
Sounds like a plan.
His pregnant wife prepared all that food for him and that’s how he treats her!??! He owes you big!
Tally up the debit charges and ask him which expense of his he plans to reduce this month to compensate for the unnecessary spending. It was his choice that groceries were wasted and alternate meals bought – time to pay the piper.
Personally I wouldn’t prepare the meals, he’s a grown adult and knows where the kitchen is, but if you like to do it at least ask him if he intends to eat out or if he intends eat what you prepare. After having to forfeit something this time to compensate the budget he might be more inclined to make the huge effort required to push the power button on the microwave next time. Unfortunately sometimes the adults in our lives need to be treated a bit like naughty kids to see that their actions impact everyone around them.
Sorry, I have no patience for pure laziness that impacts the entire family’s resources. Either you’re both on the same page and working toward the same goals or you aren’t. One night I could understand, but the entire week? If there was budget room for 5 dinners out, wouldn’t it have been nicer to go out together a couple of times? Kind of selfish on top of lazy IMHO.
I’ll just “high five” JMK’s post instead of reiterating exactly what s/he said.
In his defense, I never let the poor man eat dinners at fast food. He was probably craving french fries and trans fats. ; )
I believe in letting the boys be boys with this one… you have the extra expenses to cover it and he gets a bit of ‘time off’ from being responsible… and if he loads up while you away then he will probably be over it and not want it for awhile! 😉