Enjoy this best-of episode while I'm in Ireland. A Halloween hello turns into a lively tour of real-life wins, from Portland nostalgia and a quiet downtown morning to a $1.25 fountain Diet Coke that resets a daily routine. We open up about family—hard seasons, safety found, and the joy of everyone coming back together—then pivot into the practical heartbeat of the show: how to make Costco work when you’re two people living in a small Chicago condo.

Storage shapes strategy, so we walk through creating a dedicated “Costco shelf,” what actually earns space, and what quietly drains your budget. Expect candor and a little humor as we sort the smart buys from the duds: why pre-sliced bagels freeze perfectly, how USDA Prime pot roast becomes three easy dinners, when soda flats lose to grocery promos, and where mega bottles and mega painkiller tubs are more risk than reward. We clear up the food court membership myth, question whether tires are really a deal, and draw firm lines on perishables to avoid food waste. If you’ve ever stood under those warehouse lights wondering whether you’ll use two pounds of garlic, this is for you.

The highlight is a time-saving rotisserie chicken system that turns Costco’s pre-pulled meat into fast weeknight wins. Pair that with quality stock and an Instapot and you’ve got a soup engine for winter—lemon orzo chicken that tastes slow-simmered in under 30 minutes, plus easy add-ins for salads, bowls, and quesadillas. Along the way we trade a few laughs about head-to-toe Costco outfits, admit which aisles still tempt us during the holidays, and share a simple rule that keeps carts—and closets—sane: list first, then shop.

If you enjoyed this mix of personal stories and practical tips, tap follow, share it with a friend who lives small, and leave a quick review with your best warehouse club hack—we’ll feature favorites in a future show.