When it comes to retirement, many people look to downsize and get rid of gadgets, often to simplify and streamline their lives. Some people may even be spending more time in small spaces, like an RV.
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However, if you find yourself saying “back in my day, we didn’t need…” you might be missing out on kitchen items that could be making your life easier, simpler and help you meet your goals for a lighter, more affordable lifestyle.
Here are the five top kitchen items boomers should prioritize buying in retirement, even if you don’t really want to, because these items could make life a whole lot easier.
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Air Fryer
On the one hand, trends can be driven by market forces more than quality items — on the other hand, some trends exist because of a really good reason: A great product sells. Air fryers have become the kitchen gadget of the day, and that’s because for a small amount of space, they are quick to heat up, fast and can help you cook more healthily, too, without oils or sauces. While there are many to choose from, you can’t go wrong with a small model made by a reputable brand.
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Vegetable or Food Chopper
Some kitchen items just seem like gimmicks until you need one. While plenty of people enjoy the meditative labor of cutting up vegetables or other foods to cook with — especially if you have more leisure time in retirement — just as many people enjoy gadgets that allow them to save time. Making a big pot of soup or a stir-fry? In half the time and mess of hand-chopping, a food chopping tool gets the job done, so you have more time to spend actually enjoying your meal.
Jar Opener
Aging comes with many indignities, and it’s not always easy to admit the ways in which it can affect everyday tasks in the kitchen. Yet jar openers exist for a reason, especially if you live alone. Many jar lids are so tight that even the youngest and strongest of hands need help prying them open. You won’t regret this buy when it saves you from painful straining, or worse, being unable to open something you’re hankering for.
Reacher Tool
While not technically a kitchen tool, the fact is, it’s easy to drop things in difficult-to-reach places, struggle to get things in high up cabinets and more. Think of a reacher tool as an extension of your own arms, a way to take the strain out of the forward folding motion on the back. Not to mention, it can allow you to make better use of storage by putting things out of immediate reach that you can get to when you need.
Pod-Style Coffee Maker
You might be a coffee purist who thinks “if the old-fashioned coffee pot or French press was good enough for my parents, why should I spend more on something?” For not that much more money, you can add convenience and versatility to your life. Pod-based coffee makers can make tea and cocoa as well as coffee, which helps when entertaining family.
Photos of the food chopper and reacher are courtesy of Amazon.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Top 5 Kitchen Items Boomers Should Always Buy in Retirement — Even If It’s Begrudgingly
