If you’re like most students, you probably love gadgets. They make our lives easier and more convenient, but some also help us save money. Investing in these devices will save you money either immediately or in the long run. Don’t balk at the initial outlay at some of the items below because they make the money back and then some. Plus, you can use them for years to come.

Slow Cooker

One of the easiest gadgets to use and one of the cheapest to run. Sure, a meat join, curry, stew, or soup might take most of the day (on a low setting) or the whole afternoon (on high), but it means you can prepare food at a time when you’re not tired or stressed and fill the accommodation with lovely smells. Plus, they cost only a fraction of the cost of an oven or hob. The food always tastes better, especially meat joints.

George Foreman Grill

Another money saver, you can do bacon, sausages, and even (with some careful preparation) omelettes too. They take a small amount of space, and you don’t have to put the oven on just to do a couple of sausages. Plus, they reduce fat because the liquid falls between the ridges which is then carries away into the tray.

Rice Cooker

While microwaves use a lot of energy comparatively, it’s important to remember that things that cook in the microwave take much less time to do so. On the hob, rice can take 20 minutes or more and could come out mushy if not properly rinsed both before and afterwards. That means water – and a lot of it. If you’re having rice every day, it can represent a significant water saving over the course of a year.

Multilayer Steamer

There are three main benefits to the steamer: the first is that it uses far less energy than boiling veg on the hob. Second, steaming uses far less water than boiling on the hob. Together, these benefits represent long-term savings on both utilities.

But the real clincher here is the third. Anything you steam as opposed to boiling retains both nutrients and flavour. Look out for those with rice trays – you won’t need a separate microwave rice cooker either.

Takeaway Containers

Not a “gadget” as such, but there are many benefits to keeping these containers or buying some from the supermarket.

•         Reduced food waste – they go in the freezer so you can put those extra portions aside for another time
•         They help you determine portion sizes so you’re not wasting insignificant amounts of food afterwards

Ideal for dividing up packs of raw meat to make those mince portions or chicken fillets last much longer