The Teenager and I headed to Grocery Outlet today– primarily because some of the deals looked so good but also because one of my authors gave me some cash today for some books he ordered. I spent too much but it’s hard to feel guilty when you are strategically buying food. Not just buying– strategically buying.

I spent almost $60 and $10 of it the Teenager intended to buy for herself– like the 10 (yes 10) monster slim jims. Is that the best nutritional choice? No, but at four for 97 cents, can I blame her? No. Because on most college days she doesn’t have time to eat lunch.

I got a decent amount of groceries, including the most expensive food item I think I have ever purchased at Grocery Outlet, a $7 wheel of brie. Yes, a whole wheel. I had picked up a 7-ounce wedge of brie, thinking that was a splurge, but then I saw the $2.49 wedge of the same size. I looked at the wedge… and I saw the $6.99 wheel. I looked at the Teenager. She looked at me.

She said she could eat it all tonight. I encouraged her not to do that.

We bought it.

And I’m munching on it and the sriracha almond thins I bought last week and sipping white wine that was left here by a friend in July. Life feels just about right.

So what did I get at Grocery Outlet for my $58.93?

• Artichokes, $1.99
• Caramel Chocolate Thins, $2.99 (Teenager)
• Jenny Craig Cranberry Lemon Biscotti, two at 2/$1.00
• Larger can of cream-style corn, $1.19
• Baby corn in a can, two cans, $1.29 each
• Strawberry Frosted Flakes, $1.49
• Nature Valley Crunchy Granola bars, $1.99
• Frosted Confetti Cupcake Pop Tarts, $1.49
• Dairy Free Salmon Chowder, $1.99 (we had this for dinner last night, it wasn’t bad at all)
• Monster Slim Jims, Sonic Chili Cheese Dog flavor, 8 at 4/$0.97
• Sundried tomatoes, $2.49
• Magic Spoon Protein Bars, two boxes at $1.99 each (cookies and cream/peanut butter cocoa flavors)
• Broccoli slaw, $2.99
• Baby carrots, $0.99
• Light Life Teriyaki Tempeh cubes, $1.99 (I really enjoyed these over the weekend and I still have a box but they are cheap and delicious so I want more)
• Belmont wheel of Brie, $6.99
• Spreadable Havarti cheese, $2.49
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch toppers yogurt, $0.80
• Cabot Cottage Cheese, $2.49
• Chobani Sugar Free Strawberry Yogurt, $1.00
• Half & Half, quart, $2.79
• Italian Shredded Cheese, 2 8-ounces packages, $1.99 each
• Kozy Shack, Tapioca Pudding, 4-packs, $0.99
• Pumpkin Pie Milk, individual servings, 2 bottles, $1.17 each
• frozen vegan pork barbecue, $1.99
• strawberry drinkable yogurts, two at $0.99 each