Economic meal ideas from the past make a comeback on TikTok
In the realm of social media, two influencers stand out for their commitment to making delicious and affordable meals accessible to all. Matthew Bounds, affectionately known as Your Barefoot Neighbor, and Kiki Ruff, the Recession Recipes Lady, are transforming the way people approach cooking on a budget.
Matthew Bounds, with a following of 4 million across TikTok and Instagram, has become a beacon of positivity and affordability. His followers eagerly await his daily recipe challenges, helping them adopt budget-friendly cooking habits. This summer, his efforts raised approximately $80,000 for Toups' Family Meal in New Orleans. In a recent campaign, Bounds' followers sent about 15,000 packages of food for the Knox Pride Food Pantry System.
Bounds' approach is straightforward: use inexpensive, accessible ingredients, simplify cooking techniques, emphasize easy, quick meals, share practical meal planning and grocery tips, focus on filling, wholesome dishes, and engage consistently with his audience. His bestselling cookbook, "Keep It Simple, Y'all," is a testament to this philosophy.
Kiki Ruff, on the other hand, draws inspiration from cookbooks published during depression, recession, and wartime. She offers variations on her recipes, using ingredients such as chickpeas, mushrooms, or tofu. Ruff does not use tomato sauce in her recipes but suggests alternatives like tomato paste, pasta sauce, salsa, or ketchup. Ruff has chosen not to monetize her content, instead focusing on providing easy, inexpensive cooking solutions for those in precarious financial positions.
Ruff's tagline, "Please remember to eat, and also I love you," was originally written by her friend Beck during a difficult time. Ruff uses this tagline as a reminder to take care of oneself and as a way to connect with her audience. Her followers often express their gratitude for her practical and budget-friendly recipes.
Both influencers are demystifying cooking on a budget, providing recipes that are both affordable and delicious, enabling their followers to eat well without overspending. In a world where positivity is in high demand, their campaigns have proven effective, empowering their followers to take control of their meal planning and nourish themselves without breaking the bank.
- By adopting Matthew Bounds' cooking strategies, followers can maintain a balance in their personal finance, as they learn to prepare easy, delicious, and budget-friendly meals.
- The Recession Recipes Lady, Kiki Ruff, chooses not to monetize her content, instead offering recipes that cater to those in vulnerable financial positions, demonstrating her commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
- Capitalizing on the popularity of Matthew Bounds and Kiki Ruff, various lifestyle and food-and-drink platforms have started collaborating with them to promote budgeting and affordable living in their lifestyle content.
- Matthew Bounds' cookbook, "Keep It Simple, Y'all," is a prime example of his practical and wholesome approach to cooking and personal finance.
- In an effort to further support community initiatives, Kiki Ruff has introduced tips for minimal waste cooking and smart grocery shopping, combining her passion for cooking and her commitment to sustainable lifestyle practices.
