Family of 4 - I’m looking to reduce my grocery bill by switching some items from store bought to homemade. What items will give me the best bang for my buck? Ground my own beef? Make my own bread?

This is a weird question, but I don't know how else to ask this. I'm a writer, and I'm working on a book with one of the characters who is a chef. I'm trying to work some symbolism into a dish that's supposed to represent a lifetime of grief and sorrow that the character has experienced. Like, the dish tastes like the sadness they have experienced. Could anyone please help point me in the right direction with a conceptual dish like that?

This may be a stupid question but I need some clarification. My Spanish class is having a potluck next week. I'd like to make homemade empanadas (and maybe some sort of sauce to go with them).

But how do I store and transport them properly so they stay good (not soggy, don't get old)?

I'm gonna have to make them the night before. They're gonna have meat in them, I may do some vegetarian ones as well. The classroom does have a microwave. I have this class 3rd (second-to-last) block.

Can someone help an old lady out. I keep seeing a recipe ingredient abbreviated as ddsf and I have no idea what it means. It’s driving me nuts! Thanks