When I first started traveling, I quickly learned that there is no one right way to use the toilet.

Many Americans take the "porcelain throne" for granted, but in some parts of the world, it's common to squat over a hole in the ground.

I've also visited countries where it's customary to pay an attendant a nominal amount for a square or two of toilet paper. In some countries' restrooms, you won't find toilet paper at all — but instead, a bidet or bucket of water to wipe yourself clean.

To prepare for any and all bathroom situations, I try to bring a roll of toilet paper and plenty of hand sanitizer on every international trip.

Many Americans, myself included, are used to turning on the tap and having fresh, clean water to drink and brush their teeth. However, this isn't the case everywhere.

My travel experiences have taught me that nothing will ruin a trip faster than gastrointestinal distress from unsafe drinking water. Now, before I travel, I always check the US Department of State website to see if I'll need to stick to bottled water.

If the country's tap water isn't safe to drink, I'll attach my toothbrush to a bottle with a rubber band. This helps me remember not to rinse my toothbrush under the tap — a mistake that's easy to make in the early morning.

If you have an American passport (like I do), you can visit some countries worldwide without being granted permission.

However, there are many exceptions. Countries like India, Cambodia, and China require Americans to apply for a visa before visiting; and as of this year, Americans and Canadians need an Electronic Travel Authorization to enter the UK.

To visit some countries, you'll have to go to a consulate and apply in person. For others, you can apply virtually.

If you don't have the right type of visa, you might not be allowed to board your plane — or you might even be turned away at the border.

As a frequent traveler, I always check whether I need a visa to travel as soon as I book a trip. Most countries' embassies will have this information on their websites.

When I'm traveling, I'm always terrified of being left without cellular service — but I also want to avoid pricy roaming fees and daily charges.

To save money, I usually use a service like Airalo or Holafly to purchase an eSIM card when I travel out of the country. That way, I can access a local carrier and control costs.

This method has worked for me all around the world. With an eSIM, I can still access my primary number's voicemail and text messages as long as I'm connected to WiFi.

Speaking of phones, you'll want to make sure you can actually charge your devices.

Outlets are different all around the world, and I've learned the hard way that even adapters labeled as "universal" usually aren't.

A quick online search will tell you which kind of adapter you need to stay powered up. Preparing ahead is important here — although airports usually sell adapters, they tend to be more expensive than ones you can order online.

I am up-to-date on all of the standard vaccines in the United States. However, several diseases that are largely under control in the US pose a significant threat abroad.

My years of travel have taught me to always check and see if I need any additional vaccines before a trip. In preparation for trips abroad, I've taken live typhoid pills and been vaccinated against yellow fever. For other trips, I've taken pills to prevent malaria.

At my doctor's recommendation, I've even packed antibiotics to bring to countries where they might not be readily available.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website to see which vaccines and medications are recommended for your destination. Once you know what you need, your local pharmacy may be able to order the recommended vaccines for you, or your primary care physician might be able to call in a prescription.

Many Americans are used to paying for just about anything they need with the swipe of a card — or even a phone if they use Apple Pay.

However, some countries are still largely cash-based societies. If that's the case where you are traveling, always come prepared with an ATM card — and make sure your bank account has enough cash.

Finally, keep your budget in mind. If you don't have a credit card specifically designed for travel, remember you may be hit with expensive foreign transaction fees for every purchase.

Through my travels, I've come across a lot of unexpected laws. For example, some countries in the Caribbean ban civilians from wearing camouflage. In France, you're not allowed to buy or even wear counterfeit clothing, including purses.

Moreover, some countries have restrictions on the type of medications you can bring in, even if they were legally prescribed in your home country.

It's important to me to respect local customs and stay on the right side of the law — so I always do a quick online search to see if there are any rules I need to know about before I travel.

Wood played a hobbit named Frodo in the "Lord of the Rings" films. 

After inheriting the One Ring from his cousin Bilbo Baggins, Frodo bravely volunteers to take it to Mordor to be destroyed, kicking off the epic journey across Middle Earth.

Wood began acting at a young age and had several major film credits before "The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), like "Flipper" (1996) and "Avalon" (1990).

Wood has stayed busy with movies of all genres, including the action-comedy "Spy Kids 3D: Game Over" (2003), romantic drama "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004), animated musical "Happy Feet" (2006), and psychological slasher "Maniac" (2012). 

In 2010, Wood cofounded the production company SpectreVision, formerly known as The Woodshed, and has gone on to produce films like "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" (2014),  "Mandy" (2018), and "Color Out of Space" (2019).

In addition to his other career as a DJ, Wood still found time to work on projects like Cartoon Network's "Over the Garden Wall," "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" (2017), and "Come to Daddy" (2019).

These days, you can catch him in the ensemble cast of Showtime's "Yellowjackets."

The Danish-American actor Mortensen played Aragorn — the son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur, and eventual King of Gondor. 

Aragorn is a member of the Fellowship and leads the fight against Sauron's army while the One Ring is being destroyed.

Before joining the "Lord of the Rings" cast, Mortensen had worked with directors like Peter Weir, Brian De Palma, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott, and Jane Campion. 

Fans would likely recognize him from films like "Young Guns II" (1990), "Crimson Tide" (1995), "The Portrait of a Lady" (1996), and "G.I. Jane" (1997).

Mortensen has since been nominated for best actor at the Academy Awards three times, for "Eastern Promises" (2007), "Captain Fantastic" (2016), and "Green Book" (2018), and has received numerous other honors. 

He made his feature directorial debut with the 2020 drama "Falling," which he also wrote, coproduced, and starred in opposite Lance Henriksen.

Most recently, the actor starred in "Eureka" (2023). 

Bean played Boromir, the son of Denethor and a member of the Fellowship.

Boromir primarily appears in the first movie, as he dies defending Merry and Pippin against a horde of orcs after briefly allowing himself to be tempted by the One Ring.

Bean was previously known for his roles in action thrillers like "Patriot Games" (1992), "GoldenEye" (1995), and "Ronin" (1998).

After meeting his character's demise in "The Fellowship of the Ring," Bean appeared in "Equilibrium" (2002), portrayed Odysseus in "Troy" (2004), and chased Nicolas Cage in "National Treasure" (2004).

He went on to famously play Ned Stark on HBO's "Game of Thrones." 

More recently, he played Mr. Wilford on TNT's "Snowpiercer," John Parse in Brandon Cronenberg's 2020 sci-fi thriller "Possessor," and Ian on the BBC drama "Marriage."

Monaghan played the troublesome hobbit Merry in the "Lord of the Rings" films. 

Merry is a hobbit from Frodo's village who finds himself leaving the Shire and joining Frodo's dangerous adventure.

He had acted in several TV movies, but "The Fellowship of the Ring" was Monaghan's big-screen debut. 

After concluding the film trilogy, Monaghan landed the role of Charlie Pace on ABC's "Lost" and appeared on the series until 2010.

After that, he hosted and produced the BBC wildlife docuseries "Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan" from 2012 to 2016.

He also starred in the video short for Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie," played a mutant in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009), and joined another major franchise when he appeared in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (2019).

He voiced Archibald Desnay on Amazon Prime's 2022 animated adaptation of "Critical Role," "The Legend of Vox Machina." Most recently, he voiced an Orc in the animated "Lord of the Rings" prequel "The War of the Rohirrim" (2024).

Astin portrayed the loyal hobbit Samwise, Frodo's best friend. 

Save for a few brief separations, Sam is always by Frodo's side and risks his life many times to save his friends.

Astin had several notable credits before the fantasy franchise, famous for roles in films like "The Goonies" (1985) and "Rudy" (1993). 

Astin has since done a lot of voice-over work for animated films and video games, even providing the voice for Raphael on Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

In 2017, he joined the second season of Netflix's "Stranger Things" as Joyce's love interest, Bob Newby.

He has several projects in the works, and he also recently played a recurring role on the sitcom "The Conners."

If not for McKellen's character, the Fellowship would never have formed and likely would not have survived.

McKellen mainly began his professional acting career on the stage in the early 1960s. A year before the fantasy trilogy debuted, he joined the Marvel universe as Magneto in the "X-Men" franchise.

McKellen continued playing Magneto during and after the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, most recently in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014).

The actor is one of the few "Lord of the Rings" cast members to also appear in the "Hobbit" films, reprising his role as the powerful wizard.

Some of McKellen's more recent turns include Cogsworth in the live-action "Beauty and the Beast" (2017) and Gus the Theatre Cat in "Cats" (2019).

He also has several recent theater credits in the UK, including "Hamlet" and "The Cherry Orchard."

The Welsh actor Rhys-Davies portrayed the dwarf warrior Gimli. 

Gimli is the representative for the dwarfs in the Fellowship and the son of Glóin, one of Bilbo's companions during the events of "The Hobbit."

Rhys-Davies, who also provided the voice of Treebeard in the films, previously played Sallah in several "Indiana Jones" films and Vasco Rodrigues on NBC's miniseries "Shogun," for which he received an Emmy nomination. 

After "The Lord of the Rings," he appeared in a number of notable TV movies and on shows like Comedy Central's "TripTank."

There are a few other fantasy projects on his recent résumé, including ABC's "Once Upon a Time" and MTV's "The Shannara Chronicles." 

Rhys-Davies has also lent his voice to video games and animated projects like Guillermo del Toro's Netflix miniseries "Wizards" and the 2019 feature "Mosley."

Most recently, he voiced a character in "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (2023).

Bloom played the master archer and wood elf Legolas.

The arrow-wielding hero is also a member of the Fellowship and eventually becomes Gimli's best friend, even though dwarfs and elves historically hated each other.

Bloom was relatively unknown when he was cast in the trilogy, but between the first and second films, he appeared in "Black Hawk Down" (2002).

Bloom famously played Will Turner in four of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" installments. 

Alongside McKellen, he also revisited the role of Legolas in the "Hobbit" films. 

In addition to other hit projects like "Troy" (2004) and "The Three Musketeers" (2011), the actor starred on the Amazon series "Carnival Row" as Rycroft Philostrate.

More recently, he starred in the action film "Red Right Hand" (2024).

Boyd played Pippin, the immature best friend of Merry, and appeared in all three "Lord of the Rings" films. 

As a part of the Fellowship, his antics cause trouble for the group, but he always means well.

Boyd had primarily worked on television before he was cast in the first film of the trilogy and continued to do so in between the franchise's sequels.

Boyd appeared in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" alongside Russell Crowe in 2003, the same year as "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." 

The next year, he provided the voice of Glen and Glenda for the horror film "Seed of Chucky" (2004). 

Boyd is also a musician and got to write and perform a song for "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" (2014).

He was seen on episodes of FX's "Snowfall," ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," and Starz's "Outlander." He also appeared in the 2021 thriller "An Intrusion."

More recently, he voiced a character in the anime "Lord of the Rings" prequel, "The War of the Rohirrim."

The English actor Holm played Bilbo Baggins, the previous ring bearer. 

Bilbo is Frodo's guardian and cousin, and he is unnaturally old because of the effects of the One Ring.

Even before the film franchise, Holm was a Tony Award-winning actor, probably best known to fantasy and sci-fi fans for playing Ash in the Ridley Scott film "Alien" (1979).

After the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Holm worked on an impressive array of films like "Garden State" (2004), "Lord of War" (2005), and "Ratatouille" (2007).

In 2020, Holm died at age 88 of complications related to Parkinson's disease.

Tyler brought Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond, to life on the big screen. The elf saves Frodo from the Black Riders and later marries Aragorn.

Before "The Fellowship of the Ring," Tyler had been in plenty of films, including "Stealing Beauty" (1996) and "Armageddon" (1998).

Tyler joined another major franchise in 2008 as Betty Ross in Marvel's "The Incredible Hulk." In 2025, she reprised the role in "Captain America: Brave New World."

Elsewhere, Tyler played Meg Abbott on HBO's "The Leftovers," Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam on ITV-Hulu's "Harlots," Eve in the sci-fi thriller "Ad Astra" (2019), and Michelle Blake on Fox's "9-1-1: Lone Star."

Elrond, played by Weaving, is the Lord of Rivendell. The elf was there when Isildur claimed the One Ring and tried to get him to destroy it, to no avail.

Fans would likely recognize Weaving as Agent Smith in "The Matrix" films, a franchise that mostly ran at the same time as the "Lord of the Rings" movies. 

Weaving went on to play V in "V for Vendetta" (2006), voice Megatron in Michael Bay's "Transformers" films, and portray the Red Skull in "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011). 

Weaving starred in the drama "Lone Wolf" and appeared on the Binge miniseries "Love Me" in 2021.

Most recently, he played the villainous Frank Harness in the thriller series "Slow Horses."

Blanchett portrayed Galadriel, Lady of the Golden Wood and grandmother to Arwen. 

In "The Fellowship of the Ring," she gives each traveler a special gift, including the "star-glass" that later proves useful against the giant spider.

Blanchett didn't get a ton of screen time in the films — only a minute and 23 seconds, according to Screen Rant. 

She had appeared in several movies before "The Lord of the Rings," like "Elizabeth" (1998) and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999).

Immediately after "The Lord of the Rings," Blanchett appeared in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" (2004) and "The Aviator" (2004), which earned her an Oscar win. 

She racked up more nominations for "Notes on a Scandal" (2006), "I'm Not There" (2007), and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007) before winning another Oscar for "Blue Jasmine" (2013). 

Blanchett was nominated yet again for her work in "Carol" (2016) and played the activist Phyllis Schlafly in the FX miniseries "Mrs. America."

More recently, she starred in "Don't Look Up" (2021), "Tár" (2022), "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" (2022), and the TV series "Disclaimer" (2024).

Serkis' portrayal of Gollum was an impressive feat of motion-capture technology. 

Throughout the films, Gollum, originally known as Sméagol, is painted as an antagonist and a representation of the One Ring's consequences.

Before his performance in the trilogy, Serkis had been in several shows and films, like "Career Girls (1997)" and "Among Giants" (1998).

Serkis reprised Gollum in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012) and did groundbreaking performance-capture work for the "Planet of the Apes" films. 

He then joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the flesh as Ulysses Klaue, provided the voice of Baloo in "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle" (2018), and was Snoke in the recent "Star Wars" trilogy. 

Recently, Serkis played Alfred Pennyworth in "The Batman" alongside Robert Pattinson and Kino Loy on the Disney+ series "Andor."

A film legend, Lee took a notable turn as the wizard Saruman the White, who was introduced as a respectable ally but turned out to be a power-hungry pawn of Sauron.

Before his role in the fantasy films, he starred in many movies like "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" (1962) and "Count Dracula" (1977).

After the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Lee appeared in several films and shorts, like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005) and "Hugo" (2011), before reprising his role as Saruman in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

In 2015, Lee died at age 93 after being hospitalized for heart failure and respiratory problems.

Otto played arguably one of the most important characters in the trilogy, Éowyn. 

Disguised as a Rider of Rohan, Éowyn, shield maiden of Rohan and daughter of Éomund, ultimately kills the Witch-king of Angmar during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. 

Before her turn in the "Lord of the Rings" films, Otto appeared in movies like "The Well" (1998) and "The Thin Red Line" (1998).

Shortly after the Middle Earth films, Otto appeared on-screen again in the 2005 adaptation of "War of the Worlds." 

She has since worked on films like "Annabelle: Creation" (2017) and miniseries like USA's "The Starter Wife," ABC's "Cashmere Mafia," and Fox's "24: Legacy." 

In 2018, she showed off her fantasy roots on the Netflix series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" as aunt Zelda Spellman.

Otto recently appeared on several TV miniseries, like SBS' "The Unusual Suspects." In 2024, she reprised her role of Éowyn in the "Lord of the Rings" prequel anime film, "The War of the Rohirrim."

Noble made playing a troublesome ruler look fun. The last viewers saw of Denethor, he was falling off a cliff on fire after he had tried burning his son alive.

Before the fantasy franchise, the actor had been on TV series and in films like "The Monkey's Mask" (2001).

Noble is probably best known for playing Walter Bishop on the Fox series "Fringe." 

Like his "Lord of the Rings" costars Blanchett and Weaving, Noble also appeared as a guest on the ABC series "Rake" before signing longer stints on shows like Fox's "Sleepy Hollow," The CW's "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," and CBS' "Elementary." 

He also showed up as Billy Butcher's father on an episode of Amazon Prime's "The Boys."

More recently, he worked on Netflix's "Cowboy Bebop," Paramount+'s "Star Trek: Prodigy," and Apple TV+'s "Severance."

Urban played Éomer, the leader of the Riders of Rohan who later becomes King of the Mark.

Before the trilogy, he played Julius Caesar on Syfy's "Xena: Warrior Princess" and appeared in several films.

Urban became an action-movie star shortly after "The Return of the King" with "The Chronicles of Riddick" (2004), followed by "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004) and "Doom" (2005). 

He later played Leonard "Bones" McCoy in "Star Trek" (2009) and continued his action-star legacy as the titular judge in "Dredd" (2012).

Urban plays Billy on "The Boys" — making Noble's guest appearance a "Lord of the Rings" reunion.

Palak Patel, a chef with the Institute of Culinary Education, told Business Insider that one of her favorite easy weeknight dinners is a hearty Bolognese or Italian meat sauce served over pasta.

"It's very easy to make a small or large batch to freeze for later," Patel said, "because all you have to do is combine ground beef with herbs and tomato. You can cook it slowly on the stovetop, slow cooker, or even an Instant Pot."

For a lighter version of this dish that's perfect for warmer months, use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for the sauce.

Jessica Randhawa, a chef with The Forked Spoon, told BI that ground beef can be a scrumptious taco filling.

"Ground-beef tacos are easy to make at home and can be full of flavor," she said. "Plus, you can control the fat content based on your personal needs by choosing leaner or fattier ground beef."

You can make an easy taco filling by simmering ground beef with tomato sauce and spices like paprika, garlic powder, and cumin. Add chopped vegetables or shredded cheese for extra flavor.

Cajun rice, also known as dirty rice for its color, is a traditional Louisiana Creole dish made with seasoned rice, chopped peppers, and spiced meat such as ground beef.

"Cajun rice is a great way to use ground beef," Randhawa said. "Though it's usually known as a spicy dish, you can omit spicy ingredients like jalapeño if you're sensitive to heat."

In addition to being a versatile meal that can easily be scaled up or down to feed groups of different sizes, Cajun rice is an ideal way to use up different cuts of meat — toss in leftover steak, sausage, or even chicken gizzards.

Mila Furman, a private chef and recipe developer with Girl and the Kitchen, told BI that meatballs are an ideal way to use high-quality ground beef.

"Meatballs are one of the most versatile meals to have in your [arsenal] as a chef," Furman said. "They're super simple to put together and will always be a hit for the whole table."

Whether you're making classic meatballs with tomato sauce or whipping up a batch of creamy Swedish meatballs, using ground beef with a slightly higher fat percentage will keep them juicy and tender.

If you're struggling to think of ways to use up a small portion of leftover ground beef, putting it in a soup may just be the answer.

"Using ground beef in soups isn't just for chili," Furman said. "Add ground beef — especially in the form of leftover meatballs — into soup with plenty of hearty vegetables for a complete meal."

A great way to infuse prepackaged ground beef with tons of moisture and flavor is to bake it into a lasagna.

"Lasagna is a versatile ground-beef meal because it's very hearty and works well with all kinds of veggies, like mushrooms, squash, or corn," Patel said. "Plus, you can add a fried egg on top to turn leftovers into a weekend brunch."

Patel said that using an average grocery-store package of ground beef to make burgers is a mistake.

"It is important to know the type of beef that you're buying," Patel said. "Prepackaged grocery-store ground beef is not processed daily or in-house, so the resulting burgers tend to be dry and chewy."

Instead of grabbing a package of ground beef, ask the deli or butcher to grind a portion of quality beef for you. Cuts such as chuck steak usually have a better ratio of fat to lean meat, which makes for a juicier burger.

Beef stroganoff is traditionally made with sautéed pieces of whole beef, but some recipes call for ground beef instead. Unfortunately, this variation is hard to get right.

"This is a very classic recipe for ground beef, but often the beef is left bland and dry while the delicate egg noodles are overcooked," Patel said.

Patel added that if the ratio of cream to beef is not balanced, this dish can become overly creamy and even soggy.

Steak tartare is made with lightly seared or raw ground beef, usually served as a patty topped with a raw egg yolk.

Randhawa said home chefs — and restaurant diners — should generally avoid steak tartare for safety reasons.

"Unlike other raw-meat recipes from around the world, steak tartare does not include an acidic citrus juice," Randhawa said. Acidic citrus juice can cause meat to seem somewhat cooked, but it doesn't actually make it entirely safe to eat.

"Uncooked meat can have both dangerous parasites and potentially life-threatening bacteria," Randhawa added.

Some salad recipes call for ground beef as a topping. But the temperature difference between warm ground beef and a cold salad can cause the melted fats in the meat to solidify.

"Do not put ground beef in your salads if you can help it," Furman said. "You often end up with a situation where beef fat leaks down through the greens and congeals."

You could avoid this stomach-turning scenario by chilling the cooked ground beef beforehand.

This story was originally published on June 2, 2023, and most recently updated on June 9, 2025.

I booked my trip less than a week before the departure date, but a Mystery Break representative told me guests are encouraged to reserve these packages three to six months in advance. In some cases, this can help keep the package's cost low.

Prices for Luxury Mystery Breaks vary and start at NZ$1,699 (about $1,025) a person for a two-night midweek package. I paid NZ$3,162, but was given a media rate for a 50% discount, bringing my total to NZ$1,581.

Either way, I got my itinerary four days before my travel date instead of the usual two. This may have been due to the media arrangement, but I was grateful to receive my flight times, rental car type, and resort information earlier.

I'd be flying into Christchurch, and my final destination was the Fable Terrace Downs Resort in Canterbury high country, about an hour's drive from the city center.

I got to Wellington International Airport at 8:30 a.m., ready to board my 9:30 a.m. flight to Christchurch.

At 9:10 a.m., an announcement informed us the flight had been canceled due to engineering issues. I was automatically rebooked for a 6 p.m. departure, but I didn't want to spend the first day of my Mystery Break stuck in an airport.

After several failed attempts to get on an earlier flight and a lot of back-and-forth with airline staff, I was moved to a 1:45 p.m. flight, which still didn't take off until 3:30 p.m. due to weather concerns.

For the inconvenience, I received a NZ$10 refreshment voucher.

Despite booking my trip through Air New Zealand, the airline representatives I spoke to in person seemed unfamiliar with the Mystery Break program. I also wasn't given priority rebooking or guidance that might have helped streamline the process.

Delays can happen with any flight, but this was a disheartening start to what was supposed to be a luxury experience.

After my trip, I realized my 11-page Mystery Break itinerary had a number for a 24-hour help desk for "serious" problems.

Although I wish I'd tried calling, instructions advise speaking directly with the "supplier" first, which I did. I don't know if reaching out to the desk would've made a difference, but I'm glad I know now that this resource exists.

When reached for comment, representative for Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Jeremy O'Brien told BI, in part, "From family fun to luxurious retreats, our Mystery Break is a curated, surprise experience with logistical planning and travel support all included in the package. There's also a 24/7 Mystery Break helpdesk designed specifically to support travellers if their flights are disrupted, or they have questions during their trip."

My flight took about an hour, and after we landed, I went to pick up my rental car. The check-in process was quick and easy.

The Mystery Break package included basic insurance, but I upgraded my coverage and paid an additional NZ$100.

I was especially grateful for the freedom a rental car gave me, given that my resort was over an hour's drive from any major cities.

Fable Terrace Downs Resort looked stunning as I pulled up.

A staff member at the front desk walked me through everything included in my package: a two-night stay, daily three-course dinners and continental breakfasts, a welcome drink, NZ$200 resort credit, a dedicated parking spot, and late checkout.

Staff had also arranged a dinner reservation for me at the on-site restaurant for that evening.

Based on my Mystery Break itinerary, I was expecting a deluxe one-bedroom suite.

When I arrived, I realized I'd been upgraded to a superior two-bedroom villa with sweeping views of the snowcapped mountains.

My villa featured a spacious living room with a flatscreen TV and sound system, a full kitchen stocked with snacks and refreshments for purchase, a dining area, in-room laundry, and two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

A highlight was definitely the balcony, which overlooked the golf course and mountain range.

The bathrooms had luxurious touches, like heated towel racks, comfy slippers, and plush robes.

One of them also had a large spa bathtub complete with jets.

After a long travel day, I headed to The Clubhouse, the property's restaurant and golf hub, for the first of my two included three-course dinners.

I started with mushroom soup, which was rich in umami flavor and served with crisp yet fluffy garlic bread. This dish alone made up for the day's struggles, and I used the bread to mop up every last drop of soup.

My main course was slow-braised beef cheek pasta, a hearty portion that filled me up before I could finish it.

For dessert, I gave in to the temptation of a vanilla crème brûlée topped with cocoa dust, cherry compote, and a fresh strawberry.

It was the perfect end to an incredible meal.

Mystery Break packages are designed to provide the foundation for a trip — flights, accommodations, and transportation — which gives each traveler freedom to plan how they spend their time.

So, before I arrived, I looked into activities in the surrounding Canterbury high country and ones available on Fable Terrace Downs property.

The resort has an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, walking tracks, and facilities for clay shooting, knife throwing, and archery.

I'd hoped to reserve an archery session, but there was no availability during my stay. Instead, I booked a hot air balloon ride (NZ$355.50) and a treatment at a nearby spa (NZ$95) on my own dime to round out my trip.

The next morning, I drove 30 minutes to the Ballooning Canterbury base yard, where I met our pilot, driver, and six other participants.

The views of the mountains and patchworked countryside from the balloon were spectacular, especially in the early morning light.

My ballooning experience wrapped up earlier than expected, so I had time to return to the resort for the complimentary breakfast service before it ended at 10:30 a.m.

The meals were served in a beautiful dining area with mountain views.

I selected items from a gorgeous continental breakfast buffet, including a chocolate croissant, chia-seed pudding with passion fruit, and peaches and pears with whipped cream and mixed-berry compote.

For an additional fee (covered by my resort credit), I also ordered bacon and poached eggs on toast.

Canterbury is known for its stunning alpine setting and hiking trails, which are a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts.

Since I already had a rental car, I drove nearby to explore scenic spots like Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill, and the Otira Viaduct Lookout.

I'm grateful I got to see so many incredible places at my own pace.

After three weeks of travel, staying in hostels with shared bathrooms, this bath felt incredibly indulgent, especially with the jets on.

My body definitely needed a soak after spending the day walking and hiking in the chilly high country.

I loved the mushroom soup so much that I ordered it again, but the rest of the meal didn't quite live up to my first.

For my main course, I chose the special ribeye steak with bone marrow served with potato gratin, finely chopped vegetables, and a roast-garlic jus.

The steak seemed slightly overcooked and dry, and the flavors weren't as impactful as the pasta from the night before.

I rounded out my meal with the dark-chocolate fondant my server recommended.

It arrived in a hot ramekin topped with berry coulis and a side of rum-raisin ice cream. The cake was fully cooked through, but I would've preferred it as a molten lava-style dessert.

Aside from the soup, my favorite part of the meal was a glass of buttery chardonnay from Gisborne. Restaurant staff also brought me a delicious glass of dessert wine — a thoughtful touch.

The treatment I booked was at Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa, about a 25-minute drive from the resort. I had the first appointment of the day at 10 a.m.

The spa area was beautiful, and my dry-floatation treatment involved being swaddled in a waterproof blanket and being rocked in a warm tub. I felt like I was floating for a relaxing 45 minutes.

My return flight was at 2:30 p.m..

This isn't necessarily early, but it didn't leave me much time to explore on the tail end of my trip.

If I'd had more flexibility, I would've left later and made time for another spa treatment or visited the award-winning Rangiora Bakery, which isn't too far from Christchurch Airport.

All in all, my trip included a round-trip flight, two nights in a villa at Fable Terrace Downs Resort, an Avis rental car, plus food and drinks.

If I'd booked all of these things independently, I estimated I would've paid about NZ$1,891. My trip package cost NZ$3,162, which feels like a pretty substantial markup.

Receiving the 50% media rate of NZ$1,581 made this a decent deal, but I wouldn't say the same if I'd paid full price.

To be fair, my two-night midweek package was likely a bit marked up because it was more last-minute. It's also hard to speak on the value of other packages since I've only experienced my own.

But even if I were to book this further in advance, I can't see myself doing this again. Although the surprise element of this package was intriguing, I could've hired a travel agent to craft a similar itinerary for a fraction of the cost.

Plus, if I'd made the reservations myself, I could've had more flexibility and chosen the later flight I had wanted.

Despite a few hiccups, this experience was magical — but the price didn't reflect its true value. Next time, I'll plan my own luxury escape.

I bought a 15-ounce tub of Country Crock, which is the brand we always kept in the house when I was a kid.

The label emphasized that it was churned in Kansas and contains "farm-grown ingredients." It also had the lowest amount of vegetable oil of the brands I tried, at 40%.

Its oil blend consists of soybean, palm-kernel, and palm oils.

I noticed right away that Country Crock's butter alternative was easy to spread, even when chilled.

The texture was smooth, and it didn't tear the soft bread at all when I spread it.

I tasted it both plain and on the bread. Although it tasted similar to butter, I think it could've used some more salt for a better flavor — it was a little bit bland. 

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter's spread has an American Heart Association certification label because it's made with soybean oil (an unsaturated fat) and has about 70% less saturated fat than regular butter.

Aside from the AHA certification, the label also noted that it's rich in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and contains 45% vegetable oil (a blend of soybean, palm, and palm-kernel oils).

The texture of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter was very smooth and almost as easy to spread as Country Crock.

As for the flavor, this didn't have me fooled into thinking I was eating real butter. But it wasn't bad by any means.

It definitely had an earthy, vegetable-oil taste, but it wasn't bland, and it thankfully didn't have an oily texture.

Earth Balance's spread was highly distinguishable from the others.

The label also noted it's non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. It contains 78% vegetable oils, the highest of any I tried, including a blend of palm, canola, soybean, flax, and olive oils.

After opening the tub, I noticed right away that this spread was the darkest in color and looked more solid than the other products.

I found it really difficult to spread Earth Balance, maybe because of the high vegetable-oil content.

Although some of the other spreads were smooth and spreadable even when chilled, this remained pretty solid even after it came to room temperature.

The flavor was fine. It had both a slight buttery taste and an earthiness from all of the oils, but overall it was pretty bland.

Still, as the only vegan product I tried (some of the other spreads contain vitamin D that can be sourced from lanolin, which can come from sheep wool), it's a decent alternative to real butter.

Similar to Earth Balance, Smart Balance has a high percentage of vegetable oils at 64%. Its blend includes canola, palm, and olive oils.

The label says that the product contains 400 milligrams of omega-3 ALA per serving.

It wasn't dark beige like Earth Balance, but Smart Balance's butter alternative was similarly difficult to spread.

When I tried putting it on bread, it started tearing up the piece. It also came out of the container in solid chunks.

It softened up somewhat as it came to room temperature, and the label at least warned that it would be "firm out of refrigeration." But I think the perk of a buttery spread is that it can be used right out of the chilled container, unlike waiting for real butter to soften. 

In terms of flavor, Smart Balance had a great butter-like taste at first. But then, as it melted in my mouth, it left an aftertaste I didn't love.

Of the four buttery spreads I tried, Country Crock was my favorite.

It was the easiest to spread — which is the whole point, in my opinion. It wasn't the most flavorful, but none of the spreads were really rich in flavor.

I thought the flavor of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter was pretty good, but it wasn't quite as easy to spread. I'd probably skip Smart Balance and Earth Balance because of their higher cost and more solid texture.

All in all, I still plan to stick to using traditional butter. But I'd buy Country Crock again if I needed a quick, convenient butter-like spread.

This story was originally published on January 4, 2023, and most recently updated on June 3, 2025.

Patrick Kenger, lead personal stylist and founder of Pivot Image Consulting, told BI that backless shoes like clogs and mules are having a moment thanks to their effortless fit and breathable design.

"A great quality about these shoes is that you can easily slip them on and off," he said.

Clogs bring a retro, chunkier look, while mules have a more streamlined feel. Both offer a practical mix of comfort and style for the season.

Shimmery finishes are stepping into the spotlight this season, showing up on everything from sneakers and heels to flats. And according to fashion stylist Hailey Genevieve, gold, silver, and bold metallic tones aren't going anywhere.

"Metallic colors are the perfect way to add a statement pop to any outfit," she told BI.

Low-top vintage sneakers are trending across fashion circles, worn by everyone from street-style stars to everyday trendsetters.

Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling, told BI, "Low and retro is the moment right now."

Kenger said that another bonus of these sneakers is their versatility, making them ideal for a range of summer outfits.

Woven styles are everywhere right now and will likely continue to be very popular this summer.

"The woven design gives these shoes a textured look, plus added breathability," Kenger told BI.

Their airy construction and laid-back look make them easy to pair with just about anything, from casual shorts to dressier outfits.

The jelly shoes that were popular in the 90s are back with sleeker shapes and grown-up colors that feel playful but polished.

Available in all different colors and styles, they're sure to be the life of the pool party. Sharpe suggests trying the look as either a sandal or flat.

According to Kenger, cross-strap leather sandals are an elegant choice that pair well with summer fabrics like linen.

He said the sleek, structured design is ideal for dressing up casual outfits, making these a solid pick for everything from city strolls to dinner out.

Chunky sneakers and heavy platforms are taking a backseat as fashion shifts toward lighter, more wearable options.

Kenger recommends opting for more refined silhouettes like canvas shoes, which offer a clean, breathable, and easy-to-style alternative that pairs well with everything from denim to linen.

Classic plastic flip-flops may have had a brief moment, but Genevieve said they're best reserved for the beach or pool.

To keep your look elevated, the stylist recommends opting for a thong micro-heel, which is a sleek blend of a flip-flop and a kitten heel. It's an easy upgrade that works for brunch, lunch, or a night out.

Sharpe told BI that overtly branded sandals are on their way out. Instead, she said to take your quiet luxury vibe into summer with sleek sandals that have minimal branding.

"This creates a more timeless look and an added level of chicness to your looks," the stylist said.

As wonderful and classic as ballet flats are, according to Genevieve, they're a bit too safe for this season. For a more exciting and trendy replacement, she suggests a woven style instead.

Or, for something more casual, Kenger said a more breathable and lightweight mesh flat will do the trick.

Wedding planner Lindsey Nickel of Lovely Day Events said couples should skip handing out flutes of sparkling wine and allow guests to toast with the drinks they already have.

"This will save you a tremendous amount of money since guests often just take a few sips of Champagne and leave the rest," she said.

If you're determined to offer bubbly, try serving it in shallow coupe glasses rather than flutes to reduce waste.

Wedding master of ceremonies Artem Lomaz told BI that place cards can add unnecessary expense, clutter, and confusion to a reception.

"Place cards often get lost or mislabeled and leave guests unsure of where to sit," he said.

Instead, do a large seating chart that's easy to personalize and allows guests to orient themselves in the space.

The food-wall trend — in which couples set up a wall of edible decor like doughnuts or candy — tends to look better on Instagram than in real life.

"After the first few guests grab their desired pieces, the novelty wears off and you're left with stale snacks hanging on a wall," Lomaz said. "And if your reception is outside, the food may attract wildlife or bugs."

Avoid perishable decor by instead providing a photo op with draped fabric or hanging plants.

Renting a fancy car to make a grand exit from your reception can be pricey and lead to missed opportunities to connect with guests.

"Getaway cars can be great for photos, but couples often feel rushed to leave and miss out on saying goodbye to guests," Nickel told BI.

Instead, the wedding planner recommended using that money for the bar tab at the after-party.

Fireworks are an exciting way to end a wedding, but they can be loud, smoky, and hazardous to the environment.

"The air and noise pollution created by fireworks can wreak havoc with the local environment and interfere with animal life," Lomaz said.

If you want something similar, try giving guests glow sticks or sparklers (with safety instructions).

" … the high price of a large, elaborate wedding cake often catches couples by surprise," Nickel said.

It's often not necessary, either. Instead, order a small cake to cut at the reception and serve a sheet cake, or have a dessert bar for guests.

Wedding and event planner Keith Willard told BI that most receptions don't need more than one or two toasts.

"A long list of speeches or toasts can bore guests," he said. "At least half your guests won't know each other, meaning long-winded personal reflections won't be appreciated."

Willard also said that toasts should ideally clock in at under three minutes and be given by senior members of the wedding party, such as the maid of honor or the father of the bride.

Even if you and your partner are foodies, a wedding reception isn't the best time for a seven-course dining experience.

"Don't make your guests sit through four or more courses," Willard said. "A long meal is time-consuming and takes away from the guests' ability to let their hair down and have some fun at your wedding."

Focus on choosing an incredible main course and some interesting appetizers for cocktail hour.

Wedding photographer Amy Kolodziej said that dance-floor props can detract from the elegance of a wedding reception.

"Strobing headgear and neon glow sticks very rarely match the vibe from the rest of the wedding day," she told BI.

The photographer suggested serving a signature cocktail or fun snack during the reception instead.

The bouquet and garter tosses are long-standing wedding traditions that can make some guests feel uncomfortable.

"Unless you're getting married young or before most of your friends, asking your guests to self-identify as single can be awkward," Kolodziej said.

Skipping the flower toss can also save money by eliminating the need for an extra bouquet.

"Customized favors can often feel forced," Nickel said. "Plus, the majority of favors are usually left behind by guests."

If you really have your heart set on favors, consider something consumable, like chocolates or jars of local honey.

This story was originally published in July 2021 and most recently updated on May 28, 2025.

Celery sticks spread with crunchy almond butter is one of my favorite lunch sides.

I buy Trader Joe's unsalted almond butter because it only contains almonds — no inflammatory oils or sweeteners — which often appear in other brands.

A 16-ounce jar of Trader Joe's chunky almond butter cost us $6.

These garlic-stuffed olives from Trader Joe's are a fairly light and delicious pre-dinner snack, especially when paired with cheese.

A 16-ounce jar of Trader Joe's colossal olives cost $4.50 on this trip.

We usually pair our olives with a few thin slices of baby Swiss cheese.

It usually costs about $5 per pound at Trader Joe's.

I like that this three-layer dip contains tasty layers of traditional hummus, cilantro-jalapeño hummus, and spicy hummus.

It pairs nicely with blue-corn tortilla chips or almond crackers.

We usually pay $4 for a 12-ounce container of this dip from Trader Joe's.

Trader Joe's Asian-style vegetable stir-fry mix includes snap peas, mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and more.

I like cooking these pre-chopped veggies in olive oil with a protein, like lean ground turkey, to whip up a satisfying dinner within minutes.

The 18-ounce bowl of veggies costs $5.50.

Trader Joe's pico de gallo salsa contains fresh-tasting ingredients like tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeños, and lemon juice.

It's a delicious side with any meal, and we sometimes add it to scrambled eggs for extra flavor or use as it as a dip with blue-corn tortilla chips.

A 12-ounce container of Trader Joe's pico de gallo salsa cost us $3.

Popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, dolmas are grapevine leaves typically stuffed with rice, onion and seasonings.

We like the ones from Trader Joe's, which are especially nice as a light appetizer before lunch or dinner.

A 9.86-ounce can of Trader Joe's dolmas cost us $3.50.

Green tea is high in antioxidants, and I often drink it with breakfast.

A box of 20 bags of Trader Joe's green tea cost $3 on our last trip.

We like using Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute on meat, poultry, or fish that we cook outside on our grill.

The spice blend contains a flavorful mix of ingredients like onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne, parsley, basil, and oregano.

A 2.2-ounce bottle of it cost us $2.50.

Trader Joe's mochi ice cream is a hit with my husband, who especially enjoys the vanilla and dark-chocolate flavors.

These tasty gluten-free treats are essentially a chewy rice dough filled with ice cream.

A package of six vanilla mochi usually costs us $5 at Trader Joe's.

We regularly eat baked wild salmon with a dill and lemon sauce.

One of the sauce's key ingredients is coconut milk, which adds a nice creaminess to the dish without making it too heavy.

A 13-½ -ounce can of Trader Joe's organic coconut milk costs just under $2.

Despite being Wisconsin's most-visited state park, I find that many people I talk to don't know about Devil's Lake in Baraboo. However, it's my favorite of Wisconsin's 50 state parks.

In my opinion, the park's East and West Bluff trails offer some of the best panoramic views in the Midwest. Additionally, the massive rock formations — like Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway — make it a favorite for hikers and rock climbers alike.

Beyond the cliffs, the park offers kayaking, swimming, and peaceful lakeside picnic areas, making it a perfect year-round destination.

Often nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park is a natural wonder where the Genesee River carves through a deep gorge, creating three stunning waterfalls framed by towering cliffs.

With 66 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, Letchworth is a paradise for nature lovers.

The park is especially magical in the fall, with its vibrant autumn foliage, making it one of the most spectacular leaf-peeping destinations in the Northeast.

West Virginia is another one of my favorite states for outdoor recreation. Its state park system is full of gems, but I always recommend visiting Coopers Rock State Forest.

I love hiking in this park or simply enjoying a sunset at Coopers Rock Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the Cheat River Gorge.

The park also has many unique rock formations scattered throughout the forest along the miles of scenic trails.

Matthiessen State Park is a hidden gem known for its dramatic canyons, cascading waterfalls, and towering forests, creating a stunning, almost magical landscape.

With peaceful trails and fewer crowds than nearby Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen is a must-visit for nature lovers in the Midwest. I especially love visiting in the fall to enjoy the changing foliage.

When visiting Utah, many travelers aim to see one (or all) of the state's "Mighty Five" national parks. However, Utah is also home to 46 state parks — my favorite being Kodachrome Basin.

Just over 20 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into another world entirely.

The less-crowded landscape is a stunning mix of red, orange, and yellow hues, and striking "sand pipes" — tall, thin spires of rock that the park is known for.

Hike, camp, or drive through the rock formations of this hidden gem park for a peaceful adventure.

With four major national parks and over 40 state parks, Colorado is known for outdoor recreation. However, I've found that, outside of the locals, many people don't know about one of my favorite places to visit — Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Just 9 miles outside Boulder, the park is known for its dramatic canyon views, rock climbing, and scenic hiking trails. Its towering golden sandstone cliffs make it one of the top climbing destinations in the US, with over 500 routes.

Visitors can also choose to cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter months.

Panama City Beach reminds me of the beach towns I grew up visiting in the Northeast: lots of souvenir shops, a pier for walking and fishing, and more tourist attractions than one could squeeze in during a vacation.

There's lots of good food in PCB, including a crepe shop adored by reviewers on Yelp, but I'd say the general vibe of the area can best be described as "touristy beach town."

The landscape changes entirely when you drive just 15 or 20 minutes to 30A. High-rise hotel chains become private rental cottages, and souvenir shops give way to luxury shopping venues.

The overall vibe switches from a busy vacation spot to a place where you'd do beachfront yoga and sip freshly pressed juice before spending your day on a quiet, white-sand beach.

The beaches alongside 30A communities like Rosemary Beach and Seaside are home to white sand and transparent blue water. They took my breath away.

To get onto most beaches in 30A, you need a wristband or beach tag — visitors can get these from whichever rental property they're occupying.

I think the beaches benefit from the lack of large nearby hotels and public access. With limited visitors, there's less of a strain on 30A's beaches, resulting in a beautiful setting that feels more intimate.

There are some spectacular sunsets along the Gulf of Mexico, and 30A is a great place to see them.

On my trip, I especially loved watching the sunset from Bud and Alley's, a Seaside restaurant with sweeping coastal views. Another evening, I watched the sun set from the beach and was equally blown away by the beauty around me.

During my stay in 30A, I chose a rental property between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Fortunately, the area is very bikeable, with ample spacious sidewalks and bike lanes throughout. Lots of condos or hotels here come with bicycles, plus there are many rental companies in the area.

Often, I took a beach cruiser from my condo over to Rosemary Beach for coffee or a meal, or I'd bike down 30A and stop to explore each town.

Since I also had a rental car, I drove to some of the farther-away-from-me spots, like Seaside and Santa Rosa Beach. Parking felt easy to find, and the area was simple to navigate by car with my phone's GPS system.

My favorite spot in 30A was Seaside, a beach community where the movie "The Truman Show" was filmed.

It had beautiful beach houses, a small boardwalk area with shops and restaurants, as well as a collection of food trucks, and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts.

It felt relaxed and not too pretentious, but more upscale than Florida beach towns like Fort Lauderdale, Cocoa Beach, or Panama City Beach.

I loved exploring the area, and it's the spot along 30A where I saw the most families with children.

If Seaside is a family-friendly-but-upscale beach town, Alys Beach is on the opposite end of the luxury vacation spectrum.

This small community is filled with white-washed, stone vacation homes and Mediterranean-inspired architecture — it felt like a big resort.

In fact, there's nothing comparable to Alys Beach in Florida that I've seen. Because of its stunning homes and high-end feel, Alys Beach feels like one of the least-accessible-to-the-public areas in 30A.

I didn't spend much time here, especially because I saw so many residential streets with signs prohibiting the public from walking through or taking photos.

If you're interested in vacationing in a more private area of 30A, though, Alys Beach is worth taking a look at.

Rosemary Beach has made its rounds on TikTok, going viral for its similarities to a little European town.

Its downtown area is lined with cobblestone streets full of shops and al-fresco eateries, and it has a hotel complete with spires that reminded me of something I'd see in the Swiss Alps.

I passed many street carts selling wares like scarves and fresh flowers, and homes with European-style architecture. The area also has beautiful private beaches, which can only be accessed with a key card.

Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach are perhaps the most famous spots along 30A, but I was impressed with the lesser-known areas I visited, too, like Santa Rosa Beach.

You truly could make an entire day out of exploring the tiny towns and communities that make up this beautiful part of Florida.

In addition to beaches, shopping, and dining, 30A has lots of beautiful, natural landscapes to show off.

I stopped by Eden Gardens during my visit — a 163-acre state park home to sweeping gardens, a bayou, plenty of walking trails, and centuries-old oak trees.

The area also has a collection of coastal dune lakes, a rare saltwater and freshwater phenomenon that only exists in a few spots around the globe.

I've lived in Florida for nearly 10 years and call a small ocean beach town home.

As someone who's spent time on both the gulf and ocean side of the Sunshine State, I can say 30A is one of the most stunningly beautiful areas in all of Florida.

There's so much to see and do in the area, and it has a peaceful vibe I've rarely found in Florida beach towns.

I can't wait to return to 30A and think it's the perfect destination for everything from bachelorette parties to family vacations.

One of the first things we do when we walk into Aldi is grab the weekly circular, which is usually stationed on a rack right by the main entrance.

The ads showcase Aldi's current deals, so it's a great guide for anyone looking to save. Oftentimes, we deliberately plan our meals around which items are on sale.

When we focus on discounted items, we also get less sidetracked by flashy deals on products we didn't intend to buy.

We try to avoid premade meals, heat-and-eat dinners, and specialty deli items like dips and cheeses.

Although convenient, they tend to be significantly more expensive per serving than cooking something from scratch. Instead, we stick to buying staple ingredients, like fresh produce, canned beans, tortillas, and chicken.

By focusing on these core items, we've created a weekly meal plan that's cost-effective and healthy for our lifestyle.

The Aldi Finds aisle features unique items, seasonal treats, and specialty goods that aren't part of the store's regular inventory.

The signage might make shoppers feel like they're getting some sort of deal, but this aisle can be a trap for impulse buys.

Sometimes, we find hidden gems here, but Aldi Finds are usually not essential to our weekly shopping list. Looking through them can just lead to us spending more money.

We usually skip this aisle entirely so we're not tempted.

Aldi has a bring-your-own-bag policy, so bags are not free at the register. Instead of buying them, we usually grab a large, empty produce box from the shelves.

Most Aldi stores have a section where you can find these boxes in a bin with recyclables, so it's pretty easy.

You can also just bring your own reusable bags, but we've found that the box is an even better solution for us.

It's much easier to pop one box in the trunk of our car and carry it into the house in a single trip. Once we're home, we reuse the box for storage or recycle it.

Shopping around the store's perimeter helps us stick to our budget.

In most Aldi locations, more basic essentials, like produce, dairy, and meats, are located around the outer edges of the store.

In contrast, the center aisles usually have Aldi Finds, holiday items, household goods, snacks, and other products that are more likely to encourage impulse purchases.

When we shop, we literally snake our way around the perimeter, only detouring into the aisles when we need something on our list. It keeps our shopping trip efficient and minimizes our exposure to nonessential items.

This story was originally published on December 12, 2024, and most recently updated on April 28, 2025.