Real Food. Spend Less.
Real people cooking real food on a realistic budget.
Follow for easy recipes, shopping tips, and meal planning
ideas to help you spend less and eat better.
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Real Food. Spend Less. is where real people find real solutions for eating well on any budget.
MISSION STATMENT
At Real Food. Spend Less. - our mission is to help real people learn how to cook real food on a realistic budget. We believe your grocery bill is one of the most expensive things you can control, and knowing how to stretch your ingredients, plan meals, and cook simple, healthy recipes makes a real difference. We’re not here to impress you with gourmet meals or trendy diets. We’re here to show you how everyday ingredients — like pasta, potatoes, rice, and vegetables — can help you save money while still eating well.
Beyond recipes, we cover the basics that many people were never taught — like how to cut an onion, shop for the best meat, understand which cuts to avoid, store food safely for the future, and even how to pair ingredients to make meals work, and plenty more. Our goal is to make home cooking feel less overwhelming, more practical, and something anyone can learn, one simple step at a time.
WHY?
Hi, my name is Rex, and I’ve spent my early life around food — managing restaurants, running kitchens, and even owning my own. I know firsthand how food costs can eat into any budget, whether it’s a busy restaurant or a household trying to make ends meet. Over the years, I’ve learned that success in the kitchen isn’t about fancy recipes or expensive ingredients — it’s about knowing the basics, making smart choices, and stretching your dollars to work harder for you.
Beyond my professional background, I’ve also lived it at home. I was a single father for 15 years, raising two boys on my own. There were times when figuring out how to feed them — and feed them well — wasn’t easy. I understand the real-life challenges of cooking on a budget because I’ve been there.
Today, I’m fortunate to share life with my wife, Cheryl. We’ve been married for almost 20 years, and together we believe that cooking at home isn’t just about saving money — it’s about creating comfort, connection, and confidence in your kitchen.
Real Food. Spend Less. is my way of sharing what I’ve learned, both professionally and personally. From picking the right cut of meat to stretching meals, storing food properly, and building confidence in the kitchen, I want to help others make the most of what they have without sacrificing quality or health.
This isn’t about complicated techniques or trendy diets. It’s about real food, practical skills, and helping people take control of their kitchen and their grocery bill.