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Stock your kitchen to fatten your wallet
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Published: November 14, 2008
Like many people who face a long commute to work, I found myself spending upward of $100 each week just to make it to and from my paycheck. Something had to give, so I began to look at other areas where I could pinch pennies and cut costs.
The most obvious place was my food costs. As a bachelor, I have spent very little time in the kitchen, opting instead for fast food or, if I was feeling adventurous, a sit-down restaurant or ordering a pizza.
The result was that my culinary cashflow exceeded even the money I was spending on gas. It was not unusual for me to spend $15 to $25 each day on food. So, I immediately set upon a course to correct this by eating at home and shopping for groceries.
One problem: I didn't know how to cook. Sure, I could fix up some macaroni and cheese, but you know you've got some chops to work on when tuna salad is the most adventurous meal you know how to make.
After some reading, getting some advice from family and co-workers (who helped me in immeasurable ways), I began making my first meals. Over the course of a few weeks, I figured out that, surprisingly, I am a decent cook. Now, however, I was faced with a newer problem: outfitting my kitchen.
So, here are the kitchen items that I have found to be essential for the bachelor, the beginning cook or just someone who wants to have all the necessary tools without spending all your hard-earned dough.
Crock pot: This is a must have for anyone because it's easy and it makes lots of food. Spend $10 on a pot roast and you can feed yourself for days. What's more, you can turn it on when you leave for work and the meal will be ready at dinnertime. Crock pots can be found at places like Linens 'N Things or Sears for less than $40.
Silverware: There's no point in creating delectable dishes if you have to eat with your fingers. Silverware is often viewed as something expensive, but you can get inexpensive and very durable for $10 or less. I got my set for $8 at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done.
Dishes: Of course, you don't have to get fancy dishes. Plastic plates, bowls and glasses can be found at places like Target and Wal-Mart for $1 per piece. Nice sets can be found for $20 to $30 a set on Amazon, if you keep your eye out. I got a set of Corelle dinnerware for $22 a set on just such an occasion.
Pots and pans: These are probably the priciest of all the necessary kitchen items, but that doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and a leg on them. The essential pots you'll need are a small sauce pan, a larger pot (for pastas and boiling) and a small and a large skillet. For the large skillet, the larger you can get the better. These are great for making skillet-only recipes. Starter sets can be bought at places like Ikea for $30 to $40, but this is an area where if you can spend $30 more than that, you'll take an evolutionary step up in quality.
Miscellaneous and optional items: Gladware storage containers are indispensable because they are very, very cheap, they are washable and they keep everything fresh. You don't have to use plastic bags anymore.
Also, a wok set is a really nice addition to a kitchen. The best part about it is the steamer basket, which you can use to steam vegetables, and if you do it while you are cooking other items in the wok, you can get some great flavors.
So, a full starter kitchen can be put together for about $150. That certainly won't break the bank, and it will pay off within a month when you are only spending about a dollar a day to feed yourself. This is a easy and immediate way to help give your budget a little extra breathing room each month.
Contact Dylan Biles is a moderator and bargain-hunter for DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General. E-mail him at dylan@dealtaker.com
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