Michele Norris Shares Kitchen Must-Haves and the Nerds Break Down Switching Banks for Better Rates
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What kitchen tools are worth splurging on?
Sean, what's the most expensive kitchen item you own?
Well, when my house was being built, I splurged on an oven with a gas range instead of the standard electric range. And let me tell you, Elizabeth, it has more than paid for itself with delicious meals. What about you, Elizabeth?
It's probably the ice cream maker I received as part of a team building activity, but never use. Thank you, NerdWallet.
Well, this episode, we're talking about where it's worth splurging when it comes to home kitchens. If you're thinking of upgrading your appliances or maybe just buying a really fancy knife set, this one is for you. Welcome to NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, where you send us your money questions and we answer them with the help of our genius nerds. I'm Sean Piles.
And I'm Elizabeth Ayola. This episode, we talk with a listener and a fellow nerd about switching banks amidst falling yields on savings accounts.
But first, we are going to chat about where it's worth spending your money in the kitchen and when you might be able to get by on that knockoff version of whatever countertop appliance is trending at the moment. My partner, Garrett, is the cook of the house, and I like to encourage him along by buying nice things for the kitchen every once in a while. And let me tell you, some of this stuff can get so expensive. Elizabeth, what was the last kitchen gadget or appliance that you bought, and how much did it cost you?
It was a small cutting knife that I bought from Target for like 12 bucks. But whether you need to buy a knife set or restock your spices, all that stuff can add up. Now we're going to chop it up with Michelle Norris about where it's worth spending a lot of money in your home kitchen. Michelle is a host of podcast Your Mama's Kitchen, author of Our Hidden Conversations, and a contributing editor on MSNBC. I will also add that Michelle has an impressive resume. She has won Peabody, Emmy, DuPont, and Goldsmith awards over the years. Welcome to Smart Money, Michelle.
Hello. Well, Michelle, shopping for items in your kitchen can be a little intimidating sometimes because there are so many options and different price points. How do you think people can strike a balance between buying quality items while also working within their budget?
How can you balance quality and budget in kitchen purchases?
This is a really good question, and it depends on the individual. So I'm going to try to give you a blanket answer, but you're going to have to edit this based on where you live, how you cook, how often you cook, and what your budget is. Generally, I think if it's something that you're going to use all the time, it's worth getting the best that you can get. Get the best knives that you can get. And then take care of them. If you're cooking, you're going to use a knife every day. And... A really good knife can make a difference. It's about safety, making sure that you keep the knife sharp, that you're less likely to cut yourself. That knife is less likely to sort of slide outside the onion and cut you accidentally if you get a good, clean cut through something.
You don't necessarily have to buy the $500 Japanese knives. That may not be necessary. But get at least a good carving knife or a paring knife, something that you use every day to chop. And then something that's a little bit heavier that you can use, say, to chop root vegetables. If you want to cut up a chicken, you know, something that has a little bit of weight and a really nice sharp edge on it. And then take the time to, if you're getting the knife set, invest in what you need to keep it sharp. So that's an example of where it might be worth spending money.
I like your tip about being selective around what kind of knives you get because I bought my partner a very nice knife block for Christmas. And I think it came with eight knives. We use two of them on the regular. So that's a good point around just knowing which ones you're actually going to be using day in, day out.
If you're on the keto plan and you don't eat a lot of carbs, you don't eat a lot of bread, you don't need the bread knife. You know, you might not need the whole set. So there is a lot of talk with the Duchess on TV, Meghan Markle, about Le Creuset. And this is another example, you know, do I really need an actual Le Creuset pot?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What kitchen tools are worth splurging on?
0:00–2:10
2
How can you balance quality and budget in kitchen purchases?
2:10–5:30
3
Which kitchen appliances and brands are worthwhile investments?
5:30–10:00
4
What kitchen items should you never be cheap about?
10:00–14:34
5
How do aesthetics and practicality influence kitchen appliance choices?
14:34–20:10
6
Are protection plans worth it for expensive kitchen items?
20:10–22:09
7
What are Michele Norris’s favorite kitchen items and their sentimental value?
22:09–23:53
8
When is switching banks worth the hassle for better rates?
23:53–33:20
Speakers
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