Your biggest money saver?

[pegkerr]

What one-time purchase has saved you the most money over the years? For me, it's my Krups El Primo espresso maker. Instead of wasting $3.50 for a cafe Mocha at a coffee shop, I can whip one up in the morning for a fraction of the cost. I have saved hundreds of dollars, perhaps thousands, with that one $50 purchase.

And you?

Cross posted to poor_skills.

Comments

[chef-chopper.livejournal.com]

I'd say it's a toss up between two things. My smoker, and my hand crank die meat grinder. Both cost less than $10 (one at a thrift shop, the other at a rummage sale), and the amount of money I save in doing charcuterie at home instead of buying ground meats, sausages, and so on is really great. Also, it allows me to really have fun with stuff. I'm going to make Scotch eggs today for instance, but I can also do pates terrines, smoked vegetables. Add a home made salt cure and I can preserve meats, like curing prociutto or making jerky, or smkoe any kind of fish.