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Home » Cheap Eats

Dorm Survival 101: Struggle Meals & Musings For Incoming Freshmen

Published: Sep 2, 2023 by Ash, The Grocery Addict · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Graduating from high school is a huge achievement that signals a transition from childhood to adulthood. As exciting as it is, it’s also really hard! Here are some of my favorite tricks and tips for coping with this massive change, as well as a comprehensive list of cheap and easy-to-make meals you can make with only minimal equipment that will fit in a dorm.

three young adults jumping for glee in the middle of a college campus.

A dear friend (and my old college roommate, Marianna) has a baby brother who graduated from high school this year. (Congratulations, Aki!!!!) She reached out to her friends to create a scrapbook of sorts, asking us to share memories, advice, music, and cheap meal ideas to help a new graduate navigate the weird transition to adulthood. 

I loved the prompt so much, I couldn’t help but want to post it. If you have a young adult in your life who could use a little encouragement or needs to know they’re not alone in feeling wigged out about their next steps, please feel free to share. 

And, if you have any of your own essential songs, words of wisdom, or struggle meals that helped YOU get through a rough time, please feel free to drop them in the comments! Spotify playlists and recipe links are totally encouraged. 😎 

Jump to:
  • Things I’d Tell My 18-Year-Old Self:
  • Essential Songs For Adulthood
  • TV Shows To Combat Stress
  • Dorm Room Cooking Checklist
  • Struggle Meals For College Kids
  • Easy, Affordable Meals That AREN'T Soup
  • Non-Recipe Recipe Ideas
  • Letter to Aki
  • More Resources to Keep Your Grocery Budget Low
  • 💬 Reviews

Things I’d Tell My 18-Year-Old Self:

Consider this my Ooh La La — all the things “I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger”:

  • Be unapologetically yourself. Being authentically weird is way cooler than fitting in. 
  • No matter how old you get, life usually feels like ambling forward in the dark. That’s ok. It’s a weird, zig-zaggy path. You’ll end up where you’re supposed to be if you just trust your gut.
  • It’s your life, so live it for you — not anyone else. Follow your heart and your dreams. Don’t settle to make someone else (anyone else) happy.
  • Parents are flawed, and they’ll likely disappoint you as much as you disappoint them. The older you get, the more you realize they’re just humans like the rest of us and they definitely make just as many mistakes. Learn forgiveness, and, more importantly…
  • Some people you love the most aren’t gonna be good for you. Create boundaries. Love them from a distance, but love yourself more.
  • Chosen family is just as important and real as blood family. Make time and room for the people you love. Tell them you love them. 
  • Surround yourself with people who celebrate your successes like their own. Be fiercely loyal to them. Keep all the others at bent arm’s (or up to soccer field’s 😂) length. 
  • Give less $#!+s about what other people think about you. Stop trying so hard to impress other people. Work harder at impressing yourself.
  • Find the person who makes you want to be better, not the person that tries to make you better for them.
  • You’ll have your heart broken, several times. Each time, you’ll learn and grow. Don’t lose your optimism in love. Make a killer breakup playlist. Make sure Train in Vain and Somebody to Love are on it.
neon light that spells out "stay weird" in bubble letters.
  • Sometimes you have to break up with friends. It hurts just as bad or worse than breaking up with lovers. It also reminds you that your forever friends are the most precious thing in the world.
  • F**K ALL THE DUMB $#!+. Let it roll off like water off a duck.
  • Success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal. Goals are a moving target. Just keep going.
  • Some days suck. Booze never helps (it just delays the inevitable and adds a pounding headache and nausea to the mix). Walking outside or dancing with friends usually does. On that note… 
  • Save drinking for celebrations. Make sure you share the responsibility of being the DD (or paying for the Lyft) sometimes.
  • Find beauty in the small things. Try to count at least 5 beautiful, awesome, or awe-inspiring things every single day.
  • Listen to lots of music. Go to live shows. Dance (even if you look silly — nobody cares!).
  • Keep a “Master Playlist” of your life. Consider it your own personal radio station. Add songs as you go — mine is currently 5 days and 14 hours long. 😂 Download it so you can listen to it on airplanes.
  • Exercise often, but listen to your body. Don’t “play through the pain.” Arthritis sucks. Don’t help it along by forcing yourself to move through an injury. Going for a walk totally counts as exercise, BTW.
  • Find an outlet for your anger/anxiety/negativity. For me, it’s maniacally scrubbing my house while I blast music and eat some adult gummies, cooking or baking something yummy, going to yoga & meditating, talking to friends, and taking long walks in nature. For you, it might be kickboxing class, going to the batting cages, or doing wind sprints until your lungs are on fire. Whatever it is, find your thing(s).
college kid wearing a red backpack while staring up at the sky.
  • Stop. Take 10 deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. 
  • Read and listen to things that inspire you. If something makes you say “Hell yes!” that’s a good sign.
  • Go outside at least once a day for at least 10 minutes. No screens are allowed, but feel free to listen to music.
  • Wait a few years until you’re used to feeding yourself on the regular, but consider getting a dog. There’s nothing like coming home to a buddy who will be totally pumped to see your face, even if you were only gone for 10 minutes. I legit credit my first pup, Mikey, with saving my life when I was going through a very lonely time.
  • As a bonus, from my friend MacKenzie (who is decidedly more outgoing than I am): Network, network, network! Meet as many people as possible and nurture those connections — they may be helpful down the road. Also, set up phone calls and shadowing opportunities with people you look up to/have your dream job. This is where you'll learn the most!

Essential Songs For Adulthood

I’ve always loved listening to music — it can touch my soul, reframe my mind, get me wiggling, help me workout, and so much more. Now that I’m married to a musician, I’ve also seen the firsthand benefits of playing music. For all of you who have zero musical bones in your body (🙋🏼‍♀️), singing in the shower totally counts. 

college kid laying on their back listening to a radio.

While I have a giant playlist that’s essentially the soundtrack to my life meets personal radio station, having more targeted playlists for a particular mood is always a good thing. Here are a few favorites compiled from my own playlists and those of friends:

  1. Anything that makes me want to sing along and/or boogie. Dancing like a madman and/or singing (badly) at the top of my lungs always makes me feel better.
  2. Love songs for when you’re pining after someone. Hearing your heart’s feelings captured in song? Priceless.
  3. Songs that make you take a deep breath and reset. For the next time you have a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day. 
  4. Anti-love songs and sad music that weirdly make me feel better. Not sure why it works, but it does. 
  5. Punk Rock Basics. From my husband, Joe. Consider this your intro to the world of punk, which also doubles as good rage music! 
  6. Rage Music. From Spotify. Because sometimes you’ll be mad as hell and won’t be able to take it anymore! I recommend blasting your own personal rage mix at high volume while running or dancing. P.S. From Ani's quiet rage to Rage's rage-y rage, I promise — there's rage music for everyone. 😂

TV Shows To Combat Stress

If you, like me, struggle to quiet a racing mind filled with anxious thoughts, keep a TV show on standby to act as a mental palate cleanser before bed. Just don’t do the whole revenge bedtime procrastination thing, though. I’ve done it, and it never helps. 

young college student drinking a cup of coffee on the dorm couch.
  • Parks & Rec - Who can resist Leslie Knope’s eternal optimism? Watch an episode next time you’re in the doldrums — it’s infectious. 
  • The Office (American version) - Laughing and/or cringing at Michael Scott’s buffoonery is only part of it. Looking for beauty in the banal? That’s a life lesson right there.
  • Schitt's Creek - Watching the family grow together is heartwarming AF. Their out-of-touch behavior as they're learning is uproariously funny.
  • Ted Lasso - It’s hard to think of a more uplifting show. Ted’s enthusiasm rivals Leslie Knope’s, and that’s really saying something.
  • Shrinking - This heartwarming tale is a great reminder that at the end of every grief tunnel, there are more good days waiting to happen.

Dorm Room Cooking Checklist

college student waiting for her microwave meal to finish cooking.

Moving into a dorm is both exhilarating (wooot! No parents!), but also jarring — especially if you’re someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Not to worry, though. With just a few simple pieces of kitchen equipment, you can basically make ALL the things. Here are my favorite recs that will see you through 4 years and beyond:

  • Microwave/Toaster Oven
  • Mini Fridge
  • Instant Pot or Instant Pot with Air Fryer Lid
  • Hot Plate
  • Skillet and Pot
  • Space-Saving Kitchen Utensil Set
  • Grater & Slicer Set
  • Chef’s Knife, Paring Knife, & Serrated Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Washup Bucket
  • Mildew-Proof Sponges
  • Microwaveable Food Storage
  • Coffee Maker

Struggle Meals For College Kids

These meals are made using mostly shelf-stable ingredients with little more than a microwave, hot plate, Instant Pot, or toaster oven. You can also check out all my favorite Cheap Eats and look at this awesome meal planning and prepping tool.

Easy Breakfast Recipes for Dorm Rooms

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it delicious? Here are some of my absolute favorite quick & easy breakfasts to DIY:

Muffin Mix Pancakes
Made with just 3 ingredients and easy to make vegan and/or gluten-free, these flapjacks are the fancy-feeling breakfast you've been craving. Quick, easy, and perfect for your hot plate!
Check out this recipe
stack of muffin mix pancakes on a white plate with maple syrup being poured on.
Healthy-ish Breakfast Banana Split Bowls
Packed with creamy yogurt, crunchy cereal, salty nuts, tons of fruit, a big scoop of frozen whipped topping as your low-cal "ice cream," and Fruity Pebbles for sprinkles, this loaded breakfast banana split is a gee-dang party for your mouth!
Check out this recipe
hero shot of breakfast banana split bowl with a bowl of fruity pebbles and a bowl of blueberries on the table.
Copycat Costco Egg Bites & Starbucks Egg White Bites
These incredibly easy protein packed egg bites are endlessly versatile. Make a batch on your meal prep day this weekend and enjoy easy and healthy breakfasts all week long.
Check out this recipe
3 flavors of homemade starbucks sous vide egg bites on white plates on a table with silver forks and green onions.
Air Fryer Turkey Bacon
If you grab the air fryer lid attachment for your Instant Pot, perfectly crisp bacon will never be far from reach!
Check out this recipe
hand holding a piece of crispy turkey bacon.
Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
If you've been looking for clever ways to sneak more veggies into your diet, this tasty breakfast recipe is for you! My Zucchini Bread Oatmeal is sweet and cinnamon-y like your favorite quick bread, but is packed with good-for-you ingredients that'll keep you full till lunchtime.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Berry Overnight Oats
These are a great meal prep option and I always take comfort in knowing that a simple mix of old-fashioned oats, my favorite fruit, chocolate chips, chia seeds, a splash of vanilla extract, and oat milk mean I’m in for a treat the next morning. 
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of prepped chocolate berry overnight oats in sealable containers.
Protein Mug Cake
This recipe calls for 6 simple ingredients and is ready to eat in just one minute! Plus, it packs in 15 grams of protein–making it the perfect post workout snack, satisfying breakfast, or healthy dessert. 
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of a protein mug cake in a white mug.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
If dessert for breakfast is your jam, you're going to love this sweet and cozy bowl of morning goodness. And, despite tasting like your favorite cake, this porridge is packed with whole grains and veggies, so you can eat it guilt-free!
Check out this recipe
bowl of carrot cake oatmeal with a gold spoon
Peach Toast With Ricotta & Honey
This super fast, extremely simple Peach Tartine is inspired by my many years working at Marché Artisan Foods in East Nashville. This 5 ingredient dish is a celebration of the gorgeous fruit, and is perfect for a decadent breakfast, weekend brunch or a light WFH lunch.
Check out this recipe
closeup shot of honey dipper drizzling honey onto peach toast.
Protein Overnight Oats
Made with just 4 basic ingredients, each make-ahead breakfast gives you a whopping 30 grams of protein per serving! You’ll find not just one, but 8 different delicious flavors of creamy overnight oats to try.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of 3 mason jars filled with protein overnight oats.
Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl
Who says you can’t have a healthy chocolate breakfast? Not me! All you need are a few basic ingredients, it takes just minutes to make, AND you can meal prep it so a deliciously chocolatey bowl is never far from reach.
Check out this recipe
chocolate banana oatmeal breakfast bowl on a white plate with extra sliced bananas and chocolate shavings.

Study-Break Snacks

Using your brain is hungry work! Make sure to keep your study buddies fueled up and enthusiastic with any of these deliciously sweet treats:

Fruity Pebbles Cereal Bars (Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats)
If you’re in the market for a lightning-fast, naturally gluten-free, colorful dessert, look no further than my easy, 3-ingredient Fruity Pebbles Cereal Bars! 
Check out this recipe
hyper closeup image of rainbow rice krispie treats (a.k.a. fruity pebbles cereal bars).
Edible Brownie Batter
If you're in the mood for rich, ooey-gooey, chocolatey goodness, you need this simple recipe for edible brownie batter! Made with just 8 ingredients in about 10 minutes, this is the ultimate snack for chocoholics.
Check out this recipe
Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Sweet, salty, and sinfully delicious, this edible peanut butter cookie dough recipe is the solution to all your dessert cravings. Made with only 8 ingredients in just 10 minutes, this eggless cookie dough is speedy enough for whenever your sweet tooth strikes!
Check out this recipe
edible peanut butter cookie dough in a glass jar with a silver spoon.
Microwaveable Chocolate Dip Sauce
With 3 simple ingredients and 90 seconds, you can create a rich, velvety sauce from chocolate chips that will take your desserts to new heights. Drizzle this versatile dessert topping over ice cream, pour it over pancakes or waffles, or use it as a dip for fresh fruits.
Check out this recipe
flat lay shot of a bowl of velvety chocolate dip sauce.
Air Fryer Bananas
Air fryer bananas are a healthy sweet treat that’s simple to make! All you need are four easy ingredients and about 15 minutes to make them. I promise once you try these delicious bites, you will be making this tasty treat all the time!
Check out this recipe
Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs
Unlike other keto chocolate peanut butter snacks, these bad boys have chocolate all the way through. They're more like truffles than anything else!
Check out this recipe
30-Second Chocolate Cake
Soft chocolatey sponge paired with airy whipped cream and chocolate shavings sounds delightful, no? Make this cake in just 30 seconds!
Check out this recipe
white ramekin filled with 30-second chocolate cake and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Easy Soups for the College Soul

When life gets tough, there's nothing quite like a bowl of soup to give you comfort. Here are some cheap, easy recipes you can prep in a flash and enjoy all week long:

Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Perfect for cleaning out your freezer, this easy soup recipe is endlessly adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Check out this recipe
overhead shot of white pasta bowl filled with instant pot veggie soup, a gold spoon and a mustard yellow and white linen napkin
Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup Recipe (Vegan Option!)
This deliciously filling and healthy soup is transformed from a weekend project to a weeknight dream meal thanks to the Instant Pot. Make a big batch of this recipe on your prep day and enjoy it for lunch or dinner all week long!
Check out this recipe
flat lay closeup shot of half a white bowl of kale ham navy bean soup made in a pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup
While Split Pea soups usually take several hours to come together, the Instant Pot makes this a very achievable weeknight dinner. Serve with a simple piece of buttered toast for a hearty and healthy Fall or Winter dinner.
Check out this recipe
hand with a gold spoon dipping into a bowl of split pea and ham soup with a glass of sparkling water and a smoked gouda and ham grilled cheese
Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup
No matter if you’re a soup person in the fall, winter, or all year long, this is the perfect soup recipe to make on a cold and cozy day at home!
Check out this recipe
white bowl filled with creamy chicken and wild rice soup.
Instant Pot Beef & Vegetable Soup
Instant Pot beef vegetable soup is hearty, completely customizable, and totally healthy, too! You can use any vegetables you have on hand, so go look in your fridge crisper drawer, and let’s get cooking!
Check out this recipe
bowl of instant pot beef soup with veggies.
Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Panera Copycat)
This chunky, creamy, veggie-laden recipe for Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup is hearty and satisfying while still packing a hefty nutritional punch. Ready in less than an hour!
Check out this recipe
hand taking a bite of copycat panera bacon broccoli cheddar soup with a silver spoon.
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
We simply sauté the ground meat, then add everything into the pressure cooker, and poof, dinner is ready. Grab your rainbow bell peppers, along with a few pantry staples, and let’s get this quick, easy, and healthy dinner made!
Check out this recipe

Easy, Affordable Meals That AREN'T Soup

As much as I love soup, variety is the spice of life. If you're looking for some deliciously simple recipes to keep you satisfied, this is a great place to start:

Zucchini LInguine with Lemon, Feta, & Mint
If you're looking for a fast and simple weeknight dinner you can throw together in just 20 minutes, look no further than this 8-Ingredient summer pasta dish.
Check out this recipe
overhead hero shot of a bowl of summer zucchini linguini with feta, lemon, and mint.
Instant Pot Boxed Mac & Cheese
Instant pot boxed mac and cheese: creamy, cheesy, and so simple to make. Ready in under 15 minutes and with no hassle!
Check out this recipe
bowl of instant pot kraft mac and cheese.
Instant Pot Chicken Stir Fry
Make your next weeknight dinner a breeze with this instant pot chicken stir fry! Serve with rice or noodles for a healthy, balanced, family-friendly meal that’s ready in under 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Easy Grilled Chicken Pita Wraps
Made with just 10 simple ingredients & only 15 minutes of active time in the kitchen, this Greek-inspired chicken souvlaki wrap recipe uses some easy store-bought shortcuts to get that takeout fake-out flavor in a snap!
Check out this recipe
closeup shot of two stacked chicken souvlaki pita wraps.
Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
With a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, salty, and fiery, these Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles are easily one of my favorite "clean-out-the-fridge" dinners. Made with your choice of noodles, a few pantry staples, and whatever veggies are kicking around in your drawer, these spicy sesame noodles are the ideal rent-week meal!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Sloppy Joe's
This simple and healthy Instant Pot Sloppy Joes recipe uses fresh or frozen ground beef and vegetables for tons of flavor in your pressure cooker!
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Here’s a super easy and healthy dinner meal you can throw together in less than 30 minutes. Plus, opting for chicken thighs over chicken breasts will save you tons of $$$!
Check out this recipe
Arepas
These deliciously carby little treats are made with just 2 ingredients, are naturally gluten-free, and can be stuffed with whatever your hungry little heart desires.
Check out this recipe
Pasta with White Clam Sauce
This super simple pantry pasta recipe is made with just a handful of shelf stable ingredients. Fast, kid friendly and delicious, this is a real weeknight dinner winner!
Check out this recipe
white pasta bowl with a portion of pasta and white clam sauce garnished with parmesan and pepper on a black and white linen
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Fiercely flavorful, super speedy, and actually healthy (!!!), these Spicy Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos are about to make your weeknights SO MUCH BETTER. Better yet, they’re made with just 13 ingredients (5 of which are spices) in just 30 minutes. 
Check out this recipe
assembled air fryer shrimp taco on a piece of parchment.
Easy Mushroom Tartine with Spreadable Goat Cheese
If you're in the mood for a quick & simple Meatless Monday recipe, this delectable Mushroom Tartine is the way to go. Made with just 10 ingredients in about 30 minutes (using just one pan!!), this is the easy midweek meal you've been looking for.
Check out this recipe
square hero shot of wild mushroom tartine sliced in half on a grey plate with a fork and knife.

Non-Recipe Recipe Ideas

The following are simple food ideas you can whip up at a moment’s notice, using whatever you happen to have on hand. Don’t expect precision or measurements — this is very much a place to play fast and loose. 

  • Jacket Potatoes filled with anything, just about. (Get one of these sacks so you can microwave them! Just remember to prick the potatoes all over with a fork so they don’t explode and make a mess 🤦🏼‍♀️.)
    • Tex-Mex: Cheddar cheese, salsa, greek yogurt or sour cream, green onions
    • Ballpark: Chili, cheese, and onions
    • Breakfast:Scrambled eggs with cheese and/or veggies
    • Broccoli & Cheddar: Frozen broccoli is awesome — no prep, so cheap, and microwaveable. 
    • PRO TIP: Grate your own cheese — it’s cheaper and tastes way better. 
  • Canned Tuna
    • “Sushi Bowls” - If you've got a hankering for sushi, but can't afford it, you can wing it with canned tuna. Mix up some tuna salad with some mayo, sriracha, and green onion whites. Serve on top of a microwave bowl of sticky rice. Add toppings: green onion tops, sesame seeds, more mayo, more sriracha, crushed-up seaweed, etc.
    • Tuna Salad - Whether you mix the tuna with mayo and dijon or whole grain mustard or opt for a zestier interpretation, tuna salad is a lovely choice for a fast and filling meal. Serve on toasted sourdough with any kind of lettuce or herbs for some green crunch. Swap in a baguette and add a layer of sliced hard-boiled eggs, a few kalamata olives sliced up, and some sun-dried tomatoes if you wanna get fancy.
  • Things on Toast - Put just about anything on bread and you can call it a meal. Toast said bread for satisfying texture, and you have yourself a feast. Here are some of my favorite things to pair with bread:
    • Beans & Greens - Vegetarian protein plus veggies plus toast? Sign me up.
    • Avocado - Avocado on toast with some mayo and Cholula is one of my favorite quick meals. Add a pickled egg and some microgreens to make it feel fancy.
    • Eggs - Scrambled eggs with a touch of cheese are the perfect thing to load onto toast when you're hungry.
    • Cheese - A grilled cheese sandwich is always welcome, especially when paired with a mug of soup.
    • Nut Butter & Fruit - Skip the jam and use real fruit like bananas or berries to keep the added sugar to a minimum.
    • Chocolate & Jam - Or, make a dessert sandwich. I love using a bar of good-quality dark chocolate and raspberry jam, then grill it in butter like you would a grilled cheese. It's utter melty perfection. For an even fancier vibe, add a few slices of brie to the mix.
  • Pasta - Get a microwave pasta maker so you don’t have to keep a giant pot in your dorm room. Or learn to make pasta in your Instant Pot. You can also buy microwaveable pasta packs, but they’re more expensive and far less eco-friendly in the long run.
    • “Breakfast Pasta” - bacon, eggs, and cheese, but make it pasta. It's pure comfort food in a bowl.
    • Dressed-Up Instant Ramen - Take those $0.20 packs of ramen and turn them into a serious feast by topping them with eggs, green onions, cilantro, tofu, meat, canned fish, etc.
    • Cacio e Pepe - feel free to swap in parmesan or any other hard cheese that’s salty.
    • Hacked Pasta Sauce - Sauté whatever veggies you have on hand, then add a jar of store-bought pasta sauce. Toss with whatever shape of noodles you have on hand!
dorm room refrigerator with cute magnets.
  • Other Worthy Convenience Foods
    • Salad Kits - It’s an easy way to make sure you’re getting your veggies! I personally love to pair it with a frozen pizza.
    • Quick Cooking Oats - Skip the pre-made packets. It’s cheaper if you buy a tub and get your own mix-ins like brown sugar, raisins, nuts, bananas, peanut butter, etc. Plus, savory oats are delicious, so they can play double duty for breakfast or dinner.
    • Plain Mashed Potato Flakes/Instant Mashed Potatoes - Mashies are my all-time favorite comfort food. You can dress these instant fellas up when the time comes. We usually use greek yogurt, some butter, salt, pepper, and green onions. If you have bouillon, that’s a good add-on in place of plain hot water. Anything you’d put on jacket potatoes or on top of grits is also a good bet.
    • Bouillon Cubes or Powder - I also love Bouillon Paste if you have refrigerator space, and/or instant miso soup or powdered broth of any kind. It's perfect for when you're feeling under the weather, snacky but don't feel like chewing anything, or for adding flavor to soups and sauces.
    • Canned Fish of Any Kind. Anything smoked is usually pretty good with horseradish and canned or pickled beets. Plain sardines are a good stand-in for tuna. If possible, get the kind that’s packed in oil instead of water.

Letter to Aki

Dear Aki,

I know you don’t know me all that well. We’ve only met a few times — once when you were a mere babe and your sister and I roomed together in Chicago. I watched you for a few hours while your sis was in class. 

We had a grand ol’ time dancing around the kitchen, you on my hip. I couldn’t figure out how your stroller worked once we got out of the apartment — I’ll spare you the details, but that was one of the funniest moments of my life. I still look back on it and crack up at how ridiculous it all was.

college kids setting up a game of beer pong.

At the time, Marianna and I were really just kids ourselves, only 20, having lived a very sheltered life. Your sister was enamored with you right from the start and couldn’t wait to show you off to all her friends. Her enthusiasm for you hasn’t waned an ounce since. (Obviously, considering she’s having her buds all write you a letter!)

We also met once at your Mom’s funeral. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose my Mom so early in life. My heart was broken for you both. It was also the first time I had ever been to your childhood house. I saw all your Mom’s beautiful quilts, and I remember thinking that if I were you or your sister, I’d want to wrap myself up in one of them and never take it off. 

The last time we met was when your sister got married and had a celebration in Ann Arbor. I remember seeing you, so friggin’ tall and handsome, I could barely believe my eyes. It felt like barely any time had passed since you were a baby in my arms, and yet there you were as a pre-teen, sweaty and pink-cheeked from playing soccer. 

Anyway, I guess the point is this — your sister is one of my forever friends, the kind that you can pick up with right where you left off, no matter how much time has passed. You’ve been something of a timekeeper in our relationship. It’s wild as hell thinking enough years have passed for a whole brand new adult human to have been formed since she and I became buddies. 

young college student making the shape of a heart with her hands at a live music venue.

If you take just ONE thing from my words, it would be to find your own forever friends. The ones who will be there through thick and thin, who will love you no matter what, and who will have all the stupid, embarrassing stories of the things you did when you were younger. The ones who help you mark the passing of time, who you can say you’ve known for 20 years and counting.

Life will take you to lots of places, and you might not always be in close contact with those friends. You might not know all the details and stories of their life as you get older, but the bond you share is more precious than gold. Those friends are your chosen family, the family you’ll grow as life goes on. And it’s those people that make life worth living, even when everything else is complete $#!+.

At the end of the day, know you’re lucky as hell to have a sister like Marianna in your corner. She’s the kind of cheerleader/quasi-therapist/lifelong support system I wish everyone had. She’s been one of my nearest and dearest since we were just your age, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her.

Above are some of the things I wish I had known when I graduated, and some of them I learned from your sis. Take ‘em or leave ‘em. Just know that no matter what, you’re not alone — you’re part of my extended family, too, because Marianna is my sister till the day we die.

With all the love, hope, excitement, and support you’ll let me share,

Ashley

girl on a college campus staring out on the quads.

More Resources to Keep Your Grocery Budget Low

  • eggs in a carton with sad faces drawn on.
    21+ Egg Substitutes & Egg Replacements For Cooking, Baking, Breakfast, & More!
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    Surprising Secrets Revealed: 13+ Unconventional Ways & Places to Slash Your Grocery Bill
  • square hero image with text that reads "how to combat grocery inflation: actionable tips to save $$$" with cartoon images of a piggy bank and grocery bag.
    How to Combat Inflation at the Grocery Store
  • Red graphic with a white and yellow egg with text overlay that reads "don't buy, DIY!!! 12 easy breakfast ideas so you can save $$$ and ditch the packaging for good."
    Don't Buy It, DIY It! 12 Budget-Friendly Breakfast Hacks So You Can Save $$$ and Ditch the Packaging for Good

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below! What other resources would help you live your best adult life?

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More Cheap Eats

  • square hero image of baked wonton jalapeño poppers on a wooden tray with red pepper flakes as a garnish and a bowl of jalapeño ranch dressing in the corner.
    Jalapeño Popper Wontons With Bacon & Cream Cheese
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    Swiss Cheese Ham Delights (Hawaiian Roll Sliders)
  • closeup shot of a homemade brownie hot fudge sundae made with cherry chocolate cake mix brownies and red wine hot fudge.
    Easy Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae With Red Wine Hot Fudge
  • square hero image of a homemade margherita pizza made with 00 flour pizza dough on a piece of crumpled parchment paper.
    00 Flour Pizza Dough With Sourdough Starter (No Yeast)

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Hey y'all! My name is Ashley, and I'm the Grocery Addict. I'm here to share my best time saving tips, money saving tricks and store bought grocery hacks to make being the CFO (Chief Food Officer) of your family a little easier. All of my recipes are designed for real, busy people - like you! - who want to eat healthy, homemade food on a tight budget. I can't wait to see you in the kitchen!

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Budget-Friendly DIYs

  • square hero image of a glass jar of creamy lime garlic cilantro sauce on a white plate with lime slices and a sprig of fresh cilantro.
    Creamy Cilantro Garlic Sauce With Jalapeños & Limes

  • square hero image of homemade Lazzaroni amaretto cherries in a glass jar with 2 fresh cherries in front of it.
    How to Make Amaretto Cherries (Lazzaroni Copycat)

  • closeup shot of a scoop of vanilla and strawberry swirl ice cream.
    Easy Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream (No Egg Recipe!)

  • square hero image of 5 flavors of Copycat Egglife Egg White Wraps fanned out on a wooden cutting board.
    Egglife Copycat Egg White Wraps Recipe (All 5 Flavors!)

  • square hero image of a homemade margherita pizza made with 00 flour pizza dough on a piece of crumpled parchment paper.
    00 Flour Pizza Dough With Sourdough Starter (No Yeast)

  • square hero image of a halfway sliced loaf of homemade sourdough bread made with sourdough discard in a bread maker.
    Soft Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread (Bread Machine Recipe)

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    Easy, Inexpensive DIY Wedding Cake

  • closeup shot of costco and starbucks copycat keto egg bites with spinach, feta, and sun dried tomatoes.
    Instant Pot Costco Copycat Egg Bites (Three Flavors!)

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