How I Save a Ton of Money With These 14 Smart Kitchen Tools (And You Can Too)

Personally, I always saw takeout and pre-packaged meals as foolish ways to waste money. I love fresh, healthy food, but my good intentions continued to collapse halfway through the week. By Thursday, I was guilty of ordering lo mein while my produce rotted in the crisper.

The turning point? I realized I didn't need more willpower — I needed the right tools. Investing in a few smart kitchen items means I rarely waste food, I almost never order takeout, and I save hundreds every year.

These are the 14 tools I swear by, and why they pay for themselves many times over.

Price: $40 to $190

This compact appliance can roast veggies, bake salmon, or broil burgers without needing to fire up the full-size oven. It uses less energy, keeps the kitchen cooler in summer, and trims utility bills — all while making cooking faster and easier.

Price: $65 to $498

I use mine to shred vegetables, chop nuts, and blend dressings. Instead of paying $4 for 8 ounces of hummus, I make twice as much for about $1. It's perfect for prepping ingredients in bulk so meals come together in minutes.

With a little effort, I have my ingredients and meals ready to go.

Price: $55 to $460

Smoothies, sauces, creamy soups, nut butters — a good blender does it all. It's also easy to store and can come in a variety of colors to match whatever color scheme you might have going on.

Many people find it difficult to decide whether or not they need a blender or a food processor. Generally, blenders are for liquids and smooth textures. Food processors do the rough chopping, shredding, and pureeing.

Price: $90 to $230

An Instant Pot is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances available. It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and more all in one.

You can cook hearty soups, dried beans (at half the cost of canned), rice, and even chicken in a fraction of the usual time. It's also energy-efficient, which means overall savings.

Price: $160 to $800

High-quality cookware is always a smart investment. Unlike cheaper pots and pans, stainless steel cookware lasts for decades with proper care. Most are oven-safe and non-stick, minus the questionable coatings.

An occasional polish with baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend keeps them looking brand new, even if you burn oatmeal to a smoky crisp like I did one time.

Price: $50 to $700

A high-quality knife set is one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen. Sharp knives make prep faster, safer, and far more enjoyable. Instead of sawing through a tomato or hacking at an onion, you can slice cleanly with minimal effort.

Price: $38 to $215

An electric knife sharpener keeps your knives in top shape, so you don't have to replace them or pay for professional sharpening.

Dull knives slow you down and increase the risk of accidents, but a quick sharpening now and then makes the work more enjoyable.

Price: $29 to $62

Ever tossed a slimy bag of arugula in the trash? I have more times than I care to admit. This is where a salad spinner comes to the rescue.

A spinner is essential for keeping greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale crisp and fresh. Wash your greens, spin dry, and store them in the fridge to stay crisp for days — even a week.

Price: $20 to $370

If you regularly buy bottled water, a filter pitcher can save hundreds of dollars a year while reducing plastic waste. Prices vary significantly depending on size, brand, and filtration level — from basic models to high-end pitchers that rival under-sink systems.

Beyond savings, a filter improves taste and gives you peace of mind if your tap water's quality or flavor leaves something to be desired.

Price: $18 to $58

This is another one where prices can vary significantly, but you'll find yourself deep in savings regardless. Tight-fitting lids make it easy to store leftovers and prepped food or freeze portions of batched food. I'm less tempted to grab takeout when I've got the ingredients ready or a meal waiting.

I use both glass and BPA-free plastic in a variety of sizes.

Price: $24 to $359

Brewing coffee at home is one of the simplest ways to save hundreds of dollars each year. I make one small pot of coffee every morning, and a $10 can of ground coffee lasts me weeks.

It's an easy way to cut back without giving up your caffeine fix.

Price: $90 to $250

A soda maker is an excellent investment if you love fizzy drinks. You can carbonate your own water, add natural flavors like fruit or berry juice, and skip the sugary stuff. It's fun, and you'll save money if you or your family drink a lot of soda or bottled sparkling water.

Homemade ginger ale, anyone?

Price: $30 to $145

A wok is the ultimate takeout alternative. It's ideal for stir-fries, fried rice, noodles, and even searing meats. Its sloping sides keep food from spilling as you toss ingredients, and it heats quickly so you can whip up chop suey or chow mein in less time than it takes to order your food online.

Skip the delivery fees and enjoy a meal that's fresher, healthier, and way cheaper.

Price: $8 to $24

An oil sprayer lets you use your own olive or avocado oil instead of expensive aerosol cooking spray. Perfect for roasting vegetables, greasing pans, or lightly dressing salads, a small sprayer can last for years and cut down on unnecessary packaging waste.

I might seem frugal or just plain cheap, but I can't imagine wasting food or money like I used to. Maybe the higher prices influenced me to change my ways. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, restaurant prices rose 3.8% over the past year, compared to a 2.4% rise at the grocery store. That price gap means cooking at home isn't just healthier, it's cheaper.

Stocking my kitchen with smart tools has made it so much easier to stop relying on overpriced takeout. I still splurge on takeout from time to time, but it's the savings from these gadgets that help me stretch my eating out budget even further.