'He Pays McDonald's, Why Not Me?': Woman's Lunch Bill For Husband Divides Internet
A woman in USA charges her husband $13.5 daily for lunch, claiming household work deserves financial recognition, sparking debate on love, labour, and value in relationships
A woman in the United States of America has gone viral for an unconventional yet thought-provoking practice: charging her husband $13.5 (approximately Rs 1,167) every day for preparing his lunch. Her revelation, made via a video shared on TikTok, has ignited fierce online discussions about the financial value of domestic labour, especially within marriage.
She Cooks, He Pays
This debate was triggered by Rae, a mother of two and popular content creator on TikTok, who posted a clip of herself preparing her husband's lunch — with an unexpected twist.
In the video, Rae explains that she charges him $13.5 per day for her service. Her reasoning? If her husband is willing to spend the same amount eating out at McDonald's or another restaurant, she deserves that money instead for her time and effort.
'It is better to give it to me rather than spend money outside", Rae says in the clip.
She adds that meal prep is no small task, involving not only time and physical effort but also creativity and planning. Rae takes pride in crafting delicious and diverse meals, and argues that such labour deserves recognition and compensation, especially when it saves her husband from spending money elsewhere.
On the other hand, critics weren't as impressed. One user strongly disagreed with the arrangement, posting: 'Taking money from your husband? You should leave him!" Another sceptic questioned the logic: 'It is beneficial to bring food from home to office to save money. Paying for lunch at home doesn't make sense".
The contrasting reactions show a cultural split between those who believe in labour for love and those who believe labour is labour — love or not.
'Money In Love'
Some social media users coined the term 'money in love" to describe Rae's practice, suggesting it represents a new kind of pragmatic relationship dynamic where time and effort are financially acknowledged, even within romantic bonds.
Supporters argue that Rae's method isn't transactional, but rather an equitable way of showing mutual respect in a partnership. It acknowledges invisible work, the kind typically done for free, despite being essential to family life.
Rae's Husband Has No Issue — 'He Gets His Lunch, I Get Paid"
Perhaps the most surprising detail? Rae's husband is completely on board. According to Rae, he appreciates receiving a home-cooked lunch every day and has no issue paying her for it. Rae says: 'Coming up with new lunch ideas every day is no joke".
She insists that the effort she puts into his meals is worth the $13.5, and the payment keeps her motivated while ensuring he gets a proper lunch on time.
Reigniting The Debate On Unpaid Domestic Labour
This viral moment has reawakened ongoing debates about the value of household work, especially that done by women — unpaid, unacknowledged, and often taken for granted.
Many argue that if society can place monetary value on cooking when done in restaurants or catering services, then the same logic should apply at home. Others feel it risks commercialising emotional labour and undermining the intimacy of family relationships.
The core question remains:
Should domestic tasks like cooking be treated as work that deserves pay — even within a marriage?
Love, Labour, Or Both?
Rae's decision has resonated with thousands, whether as a point of inspiration or provocation. At the heart of the issue lies a broader discussion about fairness, gender roles, and the economic value of caregiving.
Whether you see it as a clever way to promote self-worth or a step toward turning love into a ledger, Rae's story has sparked a global conversation — and made many reconsider how much a home-cooked meal is really worth.
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