I agree with all other posters.
I would add that if You're buying food for 5 people, well that's 3 extra as You would still buy and cook for Your Husband and YourSelf. That seems like a small "price" to pay for the Generosity You are receiving from His Family. Might You cook more economically? Big pots of spaghetti, chili, casseroles, etc. - things that go a long way for a crowd. I wouldn't do or say anything that might look like You're ungrateful or unwilling to Give in return for what You are Receiving.
Your Mother-in-law is being very Generous to share Her home as Her expenses (running a home; utilities, water, etc.) are greater for 5 people than for 3.
Good Luck
no disrespect intended, but regardless of wheter your paying rent or not - that is there house, and it looks really shadey that you'd cook only for your husband when they're letting you guys live there until you can get your own place.
you should let your Mother in law be aware that you're financially incapable of buying food for 5 people if that were the case and she should have no problem with contributing versus tip toeing around the 400 lb elephant in the room.
-because honestly if you said that to me and i were your mother in law letting you live in my house - i'd say 'if you're only gonna cook for you guys, then go cook in your own kitchen, and keep your food in your fridge - OH WAIT - you don't have one.
keepin it 100 =] Quinn
Hi there. How much rent do you pay to live there? If it is low, then they may consider the help with food and cooking to be a payment for being able to live there. At which point, that would seem reasonable you buy this food if that is how they feel like you and your husband are contributing to living there.
I am afraid that since this is the dynamic you set up, that it would be kind of hard to change it now. Then you have two women in the kitchen cooking and the owner of the house may say "sorry, I'm in the kitchen now so you'll have to work on "YOUR" stuff later." Unless everyone is used to the fend for yourself system, then it gets trickier. Perhaps a better approach is to show them what you are spending on food and see if they want to contribute.
However, again------- if you pay low rent, they might resent that.