So, you’ve moved out of a dorm and into an apartment. Gone are the days of half-and-halfs from Bear’s Den (BD) and the convenience of Paws and Go. Now, you have to buy your own groceries, budget time for making dinners, and hastily try to replicate those home-cooked meals you’ve missed so dearly since coming to college. 

Let me be the first to officially welcome you to adulthood. Isn’t this fun? 

When I moved from the South 40 to an off-campus apartment, I was most excited to have the freedom of my own kitchen. I was never interested in cooking until my sophomore year when I grew tired of BD and wanted to eat healthier and better food. Even though I would cook once a week in the dorms, it was still challenging to transition to my own kitchen. Here are some tips and tricks to help you save money and eat well in your first apartment. 

Marinades are your best friend

Some of the easiest dinners you can make involve drowning a piece of chicken in your favorite marinade, letting it sit in the fridge when you’re in class, and then cooking it when you get home. I love using the Tony Chachere’s chicken marinade, which is cheap and full of Creole flavor. You can also make your own marinade if you don’t like the selection at Schnucks. For chicken or beef, I typically use a mixture of soy sauce, lime, garlic, seasoning salt, and black pepper. 

Every oven is different, but boneless chicken thighs are usually cooked through after 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees. 

Meal plan!

Before you go to the supermarket, make a list of everything you want to cook during the week and the ingredients you need. This helps you cut down on food waste and overspending, while also holding yourself to a set plan for what you will eat each day of the week. You might find yourself spending a lot in the first few weeks of the year, but once you build up a pantry, the grocery list becomes shorter and shorter. 

Related: It’s always nice to have a big spice cabinet. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powders are classics, but coriander, cumin, and cayenne pepper are also nice to have. 

Eat your fruits and veggies

Sorry for sounding like your parents, but you will truly feel better when you incorporate healthier ingredients into your diet. It can become really easy to eat frozen pizzas or Trader Joe’s orange chicken for every meal you cook — don’t get me wrong, those are good and easy meals — but it’s important to find your nutrients in other ways. If you really despise vegetables, keep your recipes simple by not adding too much salt and oil, or have your favorite fruit lying around for an easy snack. 

Do the dishes as you cook 

It makes your life so much easier when you don’t have to do the dishes after eating, especially in a time crunch. Done with a spoon or tongs? Give them a quick wash and dry so you don’t have to worry about it later. While your food is in the oven or on the stove, there’s nothing else for you to do! You might as well get ahead of your chores now. 

Buy and eat local

When you get your produce, meat, or other pantry items from local businesses, you get to support local farmers and know exactly where your food is coming from. The U-City Farmer’s Market, located behind Seoul Taco on the Loop and open on Saturday mornings, is a great place to find fresh produce during harvest season. Southern Illinois is well-known for producing rice along the Mississippi River, so I like to get higher-protein and non-GMO rice from brands like Cahokia Rice. Missouri also has some of the best barbecue sauces and spices in the country; I keep Country Bob’s and Jack Stack’s in my pantry. When I cook with local products, I feel more connected to the land that we live on. 

Make cooking fun

Cooking is technically a chore, but only if you treat it like one. I find it so relaxing to come home after a long day and make dinner. You have the power to make your kitchen your oasis! I love cooking with friends, so two friends and I have a routine of making dinner with each other on Monday nights. You should also get creative with your recipes. It’s good to have a couple of easy go-tos, but those get boring after a while. Experiment with different cuisines, combinations, spices, and proteins. If you are a new chef, you will be surprised how easy it is to make delicious and easy dishes.