Good for you. I knew how to make a grocery budget stretch as well when the kids were young and we didn’t have much money to spare.
As empty nesters, we don’t have to be as stingy, but for health and taste preference reasons, I cook simply with grilled meat/fish, salads and fresh/frozen veggies. Snacks are usually fruit, sugar free pudding, crackers/lowfat cheese, and nuts. Oatmeal (not instant) with fresh fruit is our breakfast mainstay-can’t get much cheaper than that. We have the occasional treat - ice cream, cookies, etc.
I can throw together a good, nutritious, cheap dinner in 15 mins. I’m sure you can, as well. I’m not one to spend hours in the kitchen prepping a complex recipe with 20 ingredients. It can be done, even with a minimum of effort.
Poor choices in younger years which bear adverse consequences and not having a job with the physical and emotional benefits it brings are at the root of these problems. The cycle is generational.
Same with Hubby and me. Empty nesters, plenty of money to eat more or less whatever we want. We eat every meal at home all week except one. Every meal is cooked and we have very little pre packaged anything. I just don’t like the taste of them. Doesn’t take long to put together a good meal. Thing is our grocery bill has gone way up in the last 5 years. The cost of all food has gone way up.