I'm a single mom who hates cooking. I always keep these Costco items stocked for effortless meals.
We're constantly running between school and sports practice, so dinner needs to hit the table fast.
Some of my favorite items include Costco's street-taco kit and pre-seasoned salmon filets.
As a business owner and mom of two, my workdays vary wildly. Some are packed with travel and meetings, and others are more relaxed. No matter the pace, Costco is my go-to for meals that feel homemade with minimal effort.
I've been shopping at the warehouse for 13 years, and have found these 10 staples help keep our fridge stocked, our routine calm, and our meals balanced.
This Caesar salad kit comes together quickly and lasts for days.
I love heading to Costco's prepared food section and picking up this Caesar salad with dressing and croutons. It can be a full lunch when I'm working from home, or a tasty side to pair with dinner.
You'll always find Barilla pasta in our kitchen.
Barilla pasta is a pantry staple that disappears quickly, so I always make sure to repurchase some when I head to Costco. It's incredibly versatile, and can be used in everything from hearty meals to a simple after-school butter pasta.
Rao's marinara sauce is made with real Italian tomatoes.
Rao's marinara sauce is my go-to because it's all-natural. It contains no added sugar and the primary ingredient is whole Italian tomatoes.
I stock up and serve it with pasta and a quick side salad for easy late-night dinners.
I can have dinner ready in one step with these pre-seasoned salmon fillets.
These generously portioned fillets come pre-seasoned with butter and herbs, and just need to be popped in the oven. We make the most of the leftovers by using them in tacos, giving us two meals from one prep.
The beef loin top sirloin is great for grilling.
Costco's beef loin top sirloin are a weekend favorite. They're delicious grilled, and the leftovers can be used in rice bowls. It's like a restaurant meal without the hefty price tag.
We add asparagus to our meals to up our veggie intake.
We love adding a side of veggies to our protein, and this bag of asparagus can stretch across multiple meals. We like it roasted alongside steak or chopped into eggs.
Sliced mango makes a great snack.
Costco has a great selection of fresh produce. These mango slices are delicious on their own as a healthy snack or diced in a quick mango salsa to pair with tacos.
Costco's croissants are so versatile.
I always like to pick up a package of Costco's butter croissants. They're delicious on their own with coffee, make excellent breakfast sandwiches with eggs, and are the perfect base for turkey sandwiches for lunch.
This street-taco kit has dinner ready in minutes.
This taco kit includes tortillas, slaw, salsa, and your choice of seasoned protein — grilled chicken or shrimp — all for under $20. It's a dinner that's easy, interactive, and customizable.
As someone from Maryland, I approve of Phillips jumbo lump crab meat.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fast Company
2 hours ago
- Fast Company
‘Customer satisfaction at the end of the day': TikTok users push Costco's return policy to the limit with wild refunds
Costco is well-known for its no-questions-asked return policy. Now some shoppers are taking it upon themselves to test the limits of that policy. 'Returning my slime stained carpet to Costco,' one TikTok user posted earlier this month. Costco offers customers an unlimited grace period to return most purchases for a full refund, earning the wholesaler a top-six spot among stores with exceptional return policies, according to a 2023 ranking by U.S. News and World Report. While the customer received a full refund for the ruined rug, the comments section on the TikTok video was divided. 'That's embarrassing for you,' one person wrote. 'This just seems wrong,' another added. For others, it's simply about getting their money's worth. 'I could be mad but in this economy . . . hell yeah,' one comment read. Even Costco employees chimed in. 'Our upper management has said Costco makes way too much money. [T]hey would rather take the hit than lose a member,' one wrote. 'Customer satisfaction at the end of the day.' What if the rug is in perfect condition but you just don't like it anymore? No problem. Another TikTok user returned a rug bought over a year ago because it no longer matched their aesthetic—and received a full refund. Costco's return policy is not only open-ended in terms of time frame, but it also doesn't clearly define the condition items must be in upon their return to the store. One person returned a broken couch four years after buying it. Another brought back a half-eaten chicken bake. Both were refunded in full. 'This is why we can't have nice things,' one person commented. This isn't the first time customers have pushed the policy's boundaries. One notable return made headlines in 2018 when a woman brought back her dried-up Christmas tree in January. Extreme as it may seem, the policy supports Costco's membership model. 'Kudos for Costco,' the couch-returner said at the end of his video. 'You've got me as a client for life now.' Research shows that restrictive return policies can cost retailers business, whereas positive return experiences often lead to more purchases. Still, that doesn't mean the customer is always right. Of the $685 billion in U.S. retail merchandise returned in 2024, $103 billion was attributed to return/claims fraud or abuse, according to a 2024 report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte.

5 hours ago
Hong Kong's CK Hutchison seeks Chinese investor to join Panama Ports deal
HONG KONG -- A Hong Kong conglomerate that's selling ports at the Panama Canal said Monday it may seek a Chinese investor to join a consortium of buyers, a move that could please Beijing but bring more U.S. scrutiny to the geopolitically fraught deal. CK Hutchison Holdings' initial plan to sell port assets in dozens of countries to a group that includes U.S. investment firm BlackRock Inc. pleased President Donald Trump, who has alleged that China interferes with the critical shipping lane's operations in Panama. However, they apparently angered Beijing and drew a review from Chinese anti-monopoly authorities. A Beijing-backed newspaper posted scathing commentaries about the deal, with one describing it as a betrayal of all Chinese. Beijing's offices overseeing Hong Kong affairs have reposted some of these commentaries, widely seen as an indication of Chinese leaders' stance. A Hutchison subsidiary has operated ports at both ends of the Panama Canal since 1997. After months of uncertainty brought by tensions between Washington and Beijing, Hutchison said in a statement that the exclusive negotiations period with the consortium has expired. However, it added 'the Group remains in discussions with members of the consortium with a view to inviting major strategic investor from the PRC to join as a significant member of the consortium,' referring to the People's Republic of China. It said they needed to change the membership of the consortium and the structure of the transaction for the deal to be able to pass reviews by 'all relevant authorities." The awkward position Hutchison found itself in for months highlights the challenges Hong Kong business elites face in navigating Beijing's expectations of national loyalty, especially when relations between China and the United States are strained. Hong Kong has overhauled its electoral system to ensure the city is run by 'patriots.' CK Hutchison is owned by the family of Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing. It announced March 4 that it would sell all its shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and in Hutchison Port Group Holdings to the consortium that also includes BlackRock subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company. In May, Hutchinson co-managing director, Dominic Lai told shareholders that Terminal Investment was the main investor. Its parent company is led by Italian shipping scion Diego Aponte, whose family reportedly has a longstanding relationship with Li's. The initial deal, valued at nearly $23 billion including $5 billion in debt, would have given the consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located at either end of the canal. That agreement also required approval from Panama's government.


Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Time Business News
Claude Cohen: The Vision Behind Monaco's Luxurious Precision
Monaco, July 2025 — In the opulent cityscape of Monaco, where prestige meets precision, one name continues to echo in both the world of luxury auctions and elite property development: Claude Cohen. Best known for his leadership at Monaco Legend Group, Cohen's lesser known yet equally influential venture, Batilux, plays a central role in shaping the physical elegance of the Principality. From Collector's Gavel to Construction Blueprint Cohen's professional trajectory is as diverse as it is ambitious. While many recognize him for revolutionizing the collectible watch auction market through Monaco Legend Group, his impact extends well beyond the walls of the auction house. With Batilux, a high-end construction and renovation firm headquartered in Monaco, the Italian Claude Cohen has ventured into the meticulous world of architectural refinement. The company specializes in luxury residential projects, transforming historic buildings and prime real estate into modern, bespoke living spaces designed for Monaco's discerning clientele. The Philosophy Behind Batilux Batilux is not simply a construction company; it is a curator of lifestyle. Under Cohen's direction, the company merges form and function, infusing timeless design with cutting-edge technology. Each project is approached with the same attention to detail that Cohen brings to the auction floor—every material, finish, and spatial decision reflects an uncompromising standard of excellence. According to sources close to the company, Batilux operates with a streamlined model: manage fewer projects, but delivers at an unmatched level of quality. The result is a portfolio of luxury residences that not only reflect Monaco's refined aesthetic but also offer long-term value in one of the world's most exclusive property markets. A Monaco-Based Legacy Claude Cohen's decision to root his ventures in Monaco is no coincidence. The Principality, with its favorable fiscal environment, international client base, and cultural emphasis on discretion and luxury, aligns perfectly with Cohen's business ethos. Beyond real estate, his involvement in Monaco's economic and cultural fabric is extensive. Through both Monaco Legend Group and Batilux, he supports a growing ecosystem of artisans, architects, designers, and international investors who are helping to evolve the city's visual identity. Leadership Under the Spotlight Cohen's entrepreneurial ventures haven't escaped the glare of scrutiny. Like many high-profile business leaders operating across finance and real estate, questions have occasionally surfaced regarding past offshore corporate practices—commonplace in Monaco prior to modern transparency reforms. Yet, Cohen has consistently emphasized his commitment to operating within the legal frameworks of the Principality. Over the past decade, he has restructured his businesses to reflect current financial and regulatory standards, further reinforcing Monaco's position as a global hub of trust and luxury. Looking Ahead As Monaco continues to evolve, so does Claude Cohen's role within it. Batilux, with its emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and exclusivity, is positioned not just as a builder of homes—but as a shaper of Monaco's future skyline. Whether through rare timepieces that pass under his auction gavel or penthouses rebuilt by his team, Cohen's influence in the Principality is tangible, lasting, and reflective of a deeper vision: one where legacy is built brick by brick, auction by auction. TIME BUSINESS NEWS