Adulting 101: How to Stock your Kitchen on a College Student's Budget

Yay, you're officially adulting! Too bad you still have a college's student budget.

Hi guys! Today I'm going to through what tools you should have in your kitchen and where to get them on a budget. This isn't about stocking your pantry (that's a post for another day). We're going to be talking about glassware, dishes, utensils, knives, pots and pans, and every tool in between. Whether you're moving into an apartment with some roommates or you're all on your own, your kitchen is the most important room in your apartment, condo, house, etc. This may seem like a no-brainer but trust me, living and cooking on my own has taught me a lot. I'm going to tell you my best kitchen finds and where I got them.

“Happiness is a small house, with a big kitchen." - Alfred Hitchcock

At the Dollar Store:

There is absolutely nothing wrong about going to the dollar store to stock your kitchen. When I moved to Florida, my aunt had the amazing idea to go to Dollar Tree and look around. What we found was glassware that was made in Canada! They were simple, clean and not made in China. I'll admit, they're not the fanciest glassware but they're perfect for what I need. Some things that you also buy at the dollar store include stainless steel utensils, steak knives, salad colander, and glass coffee mugs. After all, your mug collection needs to start somewhere.

At Walmart:

Melamine is the way to go for your dishware. While melamine is a fancy word for plastic, Walmart's selection of melamine dishware is well designed and extremely durable. They're dish-washable and microwave-safe. That fact that they're plastic makes them basically indestructible (though I wouldn't recommend testing that out). Trust me, I've put my dishes through the wringer and they still look as good as new! Also, keep you melamine plates for later on because they're the perfect dishware for picnics and barbeques. Walmart is my go-to place for cleaning wipes, Mr. Clean magic erasers, dishwasher soap, scrubbing sponges and baking pans.

At Marshall/HomeGoods:

When it comes to your pots and pans, spend the extra money on the quality of the pans, not on the quantity of them. For example, I've got a large skillet, a large saucepan, and a baby skillet. Because I live by myself and cook for myself, I don't need to own forty different pans. The money I saved means I can buy American and Italian made cookware that lasts! Pro tip: go to Marshall and HomeGoods to buy your cookware versus buying stuff online. This allows you to find the hidden gems in the clearance selection and the occasional mislabeled price tag! Be on the lookout for some cutting board and knife duo sets and measuring cups. You never know what you can find for a steal!

At Amazon:

Disclaimer: this toolset is expensive but the OXO Good Grips Everyday Tool Set has been worth every penny! If you cook as much as I do, you know how important it is to have tools at the ready that are easy to grab at any given moment. Every tool in the set is machine washable and the holder looks great on any countertop. I will tell you guys that while I was researching for this post, I've found more toolsets that were cheaper with more tools (yay for the power of consumerism and competition). I chose the OXO set because my mother trusts their products which is good enough for me. Side note, buy your trash bags and paper towels (and toilet paper) in bulk on Amazon and have it delivered to your door. These items don't perish so buying in bulk will save you time and money in the long-run. It makes grocery shopping way easier when you don't have to juggle the bulky items and your bags of food.

I hope you guys enjoyed this extra long post! I didn't include anything from Costco because I don't have a Costco card. The one major item from Costco in my kitchen is my trash can, which I love. It's pricey, but it's big, stainless steel and has a motion-censored lid. Lastly, if it's cheaper to get any of these items at a different store, go for it! Find those deals and stock up your kitchen!

This is Vienna, signing off! See you guys later!