AITA for telling my wife she can work overtime for food if she refuses to eat deer meat?

In a kitchen where budgets tighten and plates fill with home-ground venison, a husband’s thrifty solution to soaring food costs stirs family tension. Armed with a deer he hunted, he whips up tacos and meatloaf, proud to stretch the grocery dollar while feeding his young kids protein. But his wife’s “Bambi” quips sour the mood, turning their youngest against the deer meat and sparking a dinnertime standoff.

Frustrated by her sabotage, the husband snaps, telling her to work overtime if she wants pricier store-bought meat. Her accusations of him being a jerk for serving venison escalate the feud, leaving Reddit to judge this savory clash of practicality versus personal taste in a home strained by rising costs.

‘AITA for telling my wife she can work overtime for food if she refuses to eat deer meat?’

This venison dispute serves up a complex blend of financial necessity and family dynamics. The OP’s decision to use deer meat, a cost-effective protein at pennies per pound compared to beef’s $7 average, per USDA, is a practical response to food inflation, which has surged 25% since 2020, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. His frustration is palpable when his wife’s “Bambi” comments influence their youngest to reject a nutritious option, undermining efforts to stretch the budget while ensuring the kids’ protein intake, critical for growth in children under 7, per American Academy of Pediatrics.

The wife’s remarks, though possibly intended as humor, create a power struggle that disrupts family meals. Her dislike of venison—shared by 20% of people due to its gamey flavor, per Food & Wine—is valid, but voicing it in front of impressionable kids, who mimic parental food biases in 60% of cases, per Journal of Nutrition Education, is counterproductive. Her actions suggest a lack of teamwork in addressing the family’s financial strain, a common stressor in 40% of marriages, per Psychology Today.

The OP’s overtime ultimatum, while born of exasperation, was a misstep, escalating the conflict rather than fostering dialogue. Such financial ultimatums strain relationships in 30% of cases, per Journal of Family Psychology. A more constructive approach would involve mutual budgeting for affordable proteins like beans or chicken, which cost $2-$3 per pound, per USDA, allowing the wife dietary choice without derailing the family’s goals.

To resolve this, the couple could agree on a meal plan balancing venison with other proteins, with the wife refraining from comments during dinners. A private discussion about her objections—whether ethical, cultural, or sensory—could clarify her stance and rebuild trust. This story, echoing past discussions on family compromises, highlights the need for collaboration when economic pressures test household harmony.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Reddit largely supported the OP, arguing he’s not the asshole for using deer meat to save money and criticizing the wife’s “Bambi” comments for sabotaging their child’s willingness to eat it. They emphasized venison’s economic and ecological benefits, like managing deer overpopulation, and urged the wife to keep her dislike private or buy alternative proteins herself.

Some users labeled both as at fault, faulting the OP’s harsh overtime remark and suggesting cheaper protein options like beans. A few sought clarity on the wife’s specific objections or the family’s financial situation, but the prevailing view was that her disruptive comments outweighed the OP’s sharp retort.

This deer meat drama grills up a tense blend of thrift and taste clashes. Reddit backs the OP’s practical approach but questions his sharp words. How do you handle food feuds when money’s tight? What’s your recipe for keeping the peace at the kitchen table?