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Spicy Uncured Charcuterie Collection

A good charcuterie always starts with the meat, and Trader Joe's is stocked with plenty of options. This premium $9 spicy trio is insanely tasty, provides you with a nice variety, plus, they make really stunning meat roses.

Salame di Parma Mild Salami

I'll also always typically grab a second option for meat, and that second grab tends to be salami since it's super salty and easy to eat with crackers and bits of cheese in the same bite. This $6 pack is described as "well-balanced" and "mild" so everyone will enjoy snacking on the slices.

Double Cream Brie

Brie is where it's at, and it gets even better when you whip up a simple baked brie to pair with the rest of your charcuterie goodies. To make mine, I'll snag this $8.49 block, chop it up and put it in a ramekin, and bake it at a high temp until it's nice and bubbly. It makes the perfect snack to dip crackers in, plus you can easily elevate it with two of my favorite add-ins below...

Spicy Honey Sauce

Yup – hot honey supremacy! Drizzling a bit of this on top of my baked brie truly changes everything. Both the sweet and spicy components of this $5 bottle pair wonderfully with brie – you'll be addicted once you try it, I promise.

Fig Butter

This $3 fig butter also goes absolutely nuts when you use it as a baked brie topper. It's super simple and subtly sweet. If you love complex, elevated flavors, you've gotta try this pick. It also works well on toasts, sammies, and even burgers!

Fig & Olive Crisps

Out of the literal millions of crackers Trader Joe's has to offer, I think these $4 babies are the best money can buy. Each bite is infused with flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds for a yummy crunch, plus, they're made with figs and olives that provide a delectable salty-sweet balance. What I like most about 'em is they have great structural integrity, so they don't break when you use them for dipping or layering between meats and cheeses.

Prosciutto Wrapped Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

This $5 snack has the best of both worlds, so it could be a good grab if you want to set up a snack board quickly without spending over $15 on a full suite of meats and cheeses. They're definitely easy to inhale because they're flavorful as ever!

Garlic & Jalapeño Stuffed Olives

I could go on and on and on and on about these stuffed olives. They're insane. A jar doesn't ever last long in my fridge. Each plump bite is packed with slivers of garlic and jalapeño, though they're not overly spicy. The brine balances everything out wonderfully. I like to serve these in a tiny bowl on top of my charcuterie boards and eat 'em up!

Ciabatta Demi-Baguette

This bread is a must if you're looking to made a baked brie with your charcuterie board: slice it up, toast the pieces for a bit, and you have the perfect vessel for a spoonful of melty brie paired with either the hot honey or fig jam. I tend to buy this "demi" size because I often enjoy my charcuterie boards with one or two other people, but TJ's also sells full-size baguettes to feed bigger crowds!

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These PB cups easily rank in my top 10 favorite Trader Joe's products of all time. Encased in decadent dark chocolate, these bites also hold plenty of creamy peanut butter for a timeless treat – especially one you'll want to unwrap after chowing down on charcuterie!

1. Chicken

Chicken remains one of the more affordable meat options, yet prices have still crept up steadily over the past few years. For instance, in 2019, shoppers paid an average of $1.47 per pound of fresh whole chicken. By the tail end of 2024, this increased to $2.06 per pound.

If chicken breast has been your go-to, you can try swapping it with thighs or drumsticks. These cuts are both more affordable and often more flavorful than white meat.

Or, for even bigger savings, consider buying a whole chicken. It's usually cheaper per pound and offers multiple meals' worth of meat once butchered. Save the carcass to make chicken stock, too!

2. Milk

If you're a family that goes through multiple gallons of milk per week, you've probably felt the strain of rising dairy prices. Five years ago, one gallon of whole milk cost an average of $2.91; meanwhile, at the end of last year, the average price rose to $4.10.

This surge means it's worth looking into alternatives. Shelf-stable dairy and non-dairy milks, such as oat, almond, or soy, can often be found in bulk at lower prices. Not to mention, they tend to last longer, helping you cut down on food waste.

3. Eggs

Eggs used to be a cheaper protein staple, but today, they're pricier than ever. The easiest way to decrease your spending on eggs each week is by trying egg substitutes, such as Egg Replacer.

Or, if you are baking, consider swapping eggs out for applesauce, mashed banana, or flaxseed mixed with water in your recipes, all of which can replicate the binding properties of eggs.

4. Coffee

Those of us who are fueled by caffeine are also feeling the pain. Making coffee at home instead of visiting Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts used to be a foolproof way to lower spending. Now, even brewing a cup of Joe at home is getting quite expensive, particularly if you rely on single-serve pods.

To save, start buying ground coffee in bulk or switching to whole beans. You can also mix your coffee with creamer to stretch your supply or replace it with instant coffee, which may be more affordable over time.

5. Bread

Whether you prefer white or wheat, the prices of both kinds of bread have increased. In order to cut back, you can begin baking your own loaves at home. It's actually a lot easier than it sounds and much cheaper in the long run.

Otherwise, if baking's not your thing, you can buy bread in bulk and freeze the extras to avoid any mid-week grocery store runs or waste. Using rice, potatoes, or tortillas in place of traditional bread is another way to lower the price of your meals.

6. Garlic

Garlic is a kitchen staple, and many people agree that you can never have enough. Unfortunately, though, a lot of the garlic we buy in the United States is imported from China, meaning prices may soon go up due to tariffs.

For a cost-effective swap, you can try using garlic-infused olive oil, which adds the same flavor and lasts longer, or substitute leeks, onions, or shelf-stable garlic powder.

7. Avocados

Not only are avocados expensive, but they're rarely sold ripe and ready-to-eat in supermarkets. So, if you buy them in advance and accidentally miss their ripeness window, you may wind up wasting a pretty pricey piece of produce.

Mashed chickpeas, seasoned edamame, or even hummus can serve as a creamy, versatile substitute in sandwiches and bowls. They're typically cheaper, have a similar texture, and are still nutritious.

8. Sugar

Last but not least, it's time to think outside the box if you have a sweet tooth due to the climbing costs of sugar, particularly bulk and imported varieties. You can turn to natural sweeteners like mashed bananas, applesauce, or even maple syrup, which work well in baking, sauces, and drinks.

What is Eddington about?

Eddington takes place in May 2020, right when the world felt like it was falling to pieces. And according to A24's official synopsis, "a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico."

Where can I watch Eddington?

Eddington is coming to theaters July 18, 2025. And yes, that's right in between Pedro's Materialists and Fantastic Four. What can I say, it's a Pedro summer.

Who's in the Eddington cast?

This cast list sets Eddington apart as one of my most-anticipated movies of the year:

• Joaquin Phoenix as Joe Cross: the sheriff in Eddington
• Pedro Pascal as Ted Garcia: Eddington's mayor who's trying to get reelected.
• Emma Stone as Louise Cross: Joe's wife, who's speaking out against her husband's mysterious announcement.
• Austin Butler as Vernon Jefferson Peak: a motivational speaker of sorts, who encourages his followers to "take back your mind" and "reclaim your identity."
• Luke Grimes

Where did Eddington film?

Eddington filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico from March 2024 to May 2024.

Is Eddington going to be a horror movie?

Right now, Eddington is being considered a Western noir dark comedy, according to ProductionList, but considering Ari Aster totally excels at horror (he directed Hereditary for crying out loud) I wouldn't be surprised if it twisted into something pretty horrifying.

Also, since the first trailer is just Joe scrolling through Instagram, that's pretty scary if you ask me.