How I Equipped My Kitchen for Under $500

Through 24 years of marriage, 23 years of parenthood and four children, I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I've experimented with all kinds of equipment, utensils and gadgets and developed a list of must-haves. Here's how I equipped my kitchen with those essentials for less than $500. My secrets is to watch sales, use coupons, comparison shop and never sacrifice quality for low price.

* Flatware (12 five-piece place settings with hostess set, $54 at Walmart) Brand isn't as important as style. Forged (or drop-forged) stainless steel versus die-cut flatware is more durable and safer to use. Stainless steel flatware in a simple pattern and cleans better, too.

* Knife set in block (Farberware, $25, Meijer): includes kitchen shears and forks

* 16-piece Anchor glassware set ($10, Walmart): includes two sizes of beverage glasses

* 10-quart heavy stainless soup pot/ kettle ($20, TJ Maxx)

* 12.5 inch deep coated aluminum frying pan/ cooker ($14, Bed Bath & Beyond). I chose a pan with flat sides rather than angled sides for more cooking space.

* 12-piece Farberware coated aluminum cookware set ($40, Walmart)

* 8 four-piece Corell dishware set with matching mugs ($48, Walmart)

* 10-cup Black and Decker food processor with dough blade ($39.99, Walmart)

* Oster 48-ounce blender with ice crushing function ($25, Walmart): I paid extra for the glass pitcher as plastic doesn't last as well.

* Hamilton-Beach stand electric mixer with glass bowl and 12-piece BakerEze baking set ($39, Walmart): The mixer can be detached and used as a portable tool. It comes with several mixing tools. This set also includes three cookie sheets, a pizza pan, cake pan with cover, two loaf pans, two round cake pans, 12-cup muffin tin and two baking racks.

* Hamilton-Beach toaster ($6, Walmart)

* 12-cup coffer maker ($9, Walmart)

* 16-inch Presto electric frying pan ($25, Sears)

* four-side waffle iron ($20, Sears)

* 7-quart Rival Crock-Pot with padded carrier ($25, Sears)

* Anchor 4-piece glass baking set ($20, Bed Bath & Beyond)

* Corningware French White 14-piece bakeware set ($30, Amazon)

* 10 hand-knitted dishcloths ($8 for cone of cotton yarn)

* 6 dish towels ($8, Walmart)

* Plastic storage set ($10, Family Dollar)

* hand utensils including can opener, ice cream scoop, potato peeler, bamboo spoon set, spatula, silicone scraper, slotted spoon, spaghetti lifter ($20, assorted stores)