MY TOP 10 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR KITCHEN PRODUCTS TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY
This post may contain affiliate links which means that at no cost to you I may earn a commission on products purchased using these links.I love to cook and bake. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen as a result of my full time job and running the blog. I am a huge fan of items that help stretch our overall budget and also make cooking and baking easier to accomplish. Over the last few years my husband and I have tried a lot of different things to encourage ourselves to cook and eat more at home. This has helped to save our budget and maintain a healthier diet. Below I have listed 10 items that I love and that I have found to be essentials in my own kitchen. Most of these items have saved me so much money and helped me on my journey to a healthier me.
My Top 10 kitchen items to save you time and money
Bulk spices - I buy most of these at our local Costco but you can often find some at Walmart or even order them on Amazon. I don't suggest buying every spice in bulk but the one you use the most can be a far better deal this way. Some of the spices we buy the most are chili powder, chili seasoning mix, taco seasoning mix, hidden valley ranch seasoning, garlic powder and cinnamon. These are the ones I buy the most in bulk and we typically use them in their entirety. I get significant savings especially with the seasoning mixes such as taco and ranch, per package at the store the cost for this amount of seasoning can really add up.
Nespresso - This is not a cheap product in fact it can be quite costly upfront for the coffee machine and the pods are also a bit pricey. Consider this though, if you have an addiction to Starbucks or other expensive coffee beverages this can still save you significantly. This is perfect for those who love lattes and fancy coffee house drinks but are not willing to give up these beverages altogether.
Calphalon pans - I love my calphalon pans they are extremely well made and even though they can be costly they are well worth the price tag. I have the stainless steel version that I was able to get on clearance at kohl's after Christmas. Someone purchased and returned this entire set they purchased for over $400 and I got the whole set for $100. This set included two frying pans one with a lid one without, one large pot with lid and two small pots with lids. They work wonderful and I feel having a great pan set encourages me to cook more at home saving us significantly overall.
Egg cooker - This is definitely not a necessity but I believe it saves me a lot of money. I am terrible at making hard boiled eggs and this actually helps me to make them perfect every time. You can find these on sale frequently especially at the holidays and they not only save you time and help you eat healthier but help you pack heather breakfast and lunch on the go.
Food processor - Helps you quickly and efficiently make great sauces, spreads soups and so much more. I received a small Hamilton beach version that I use frequently and I love it. It makes the best egg salad, guacamole, humus, etc.
Bar keepers friend - When my husband and I purchased a set of stainless steel pans I quickly realized how difficult they could be at time to clean. This product really makes a huge difference in how well I can get my pans clean and how much easier it is to clean them.
Durable cookie sheets - Purchasing just any cookie sheets has been a mistake I have made in the past. I have had both good and bad cookie sheets and these can be extremely disappointing and do not last long. When I have purchased cheaper cookie sheets they have burned food & left behind residue that is impossible to scrub off. If you like to bake or even if you just prepare things like fries, chicken fingers, fish sticks occasionally durable cookie sheets can be so helpful. My favorite are shown below called Airbake natural by TFal, I purchased these in 2013 on Amazon and they still work great and look great.
Reusable travel coffee cup - I highly recommend having one of these on hand to keep you from stopping for coffee everyday. I received a free Tervis one from my employer that I use almost everyday but almost any will do. I recommend something like Tervis or at least one that is leak proof. I have had the unfortunate experience of spill coffee on myself with cheap coffee mugs in the past. There is almost nothing worse than a leaking coffee mug especially on your work clothes before a long day at the office.
Reusable Party trays - I purchased a set of these at Walmart about 10 years ago and we still use them today. The set I purchased are designed more like a cake carrier with a lid. Mine is a set of three which includes Two flat round trays with lids and one with a dip holder in the middle and multiple divided areas around it. This one is perfect for chips and dip, veggies or fruit and dip and has been used for many special occasions. These are very beneficial for potlucks, parties and even just entertaining at home.
Cheese grater from Joseph Joseph - We use a lot of cheese in our home and we often buy the big bars at Costco which are far cheaper to shred and healthier than the shredded varieties. Doing this requires a good sturdy cheese grater and preferably one that is easy to clean. We found Joseph Joseph products over the last few years and have been very pleased with everything we have purchased especially the cheese grater. This cheese grater is sturdy, shreds well and cleans up easily after using.
These are just a few of the items that I use frequently that have helped us save significantly over the years. I hope that you find these suggestions helpful. I have included links for similar items to be purchased on Amazon however you might be able to locate these items for a better value in another store. I would love to hear your suggestions on items that you use that help stretch your budget. You can leave these suggestions in the comments or email me at Savingjoyfully@outlook.com
