Favorite Kitchen & Budgeting Tools I Actually Use

This resources page includes the kitchen tools, pantry staples, budgeting systems, and home basics I personally use in real life and regularly mention across The Frugal Nook.

Whether you’re looking for dependable kitchen essentials, simple ways to stay on budget, or practical tools for saving money at home, you’ll find everything organized here in one place. These are the tools I use and recommend.

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Along with blogging, I rely on everyday tools for cooking and managing my budget. Here are my favorites:

Kitchen Essentials for Everyday Cooking

Buying tools that last is one of the easiest ways to save money over time. These are the everyday kitchen tools I rely on when developing and testing recipes for The Frugal Nook. Each item is durable, practical, and used regularly in my budget-friendly meals and staple dishes.

• Sharp Chef’s Knife – Cuts through beef, chicken and veggies quickly and cleanly.
• KitchenAid Mixer – Durable and versatile; I use an 8-quart model, but smaller sizes work beautifully in home kitchens.
• Durable Cutting Board – Easy to clean and sturdy enough for everyday use.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons Set  – Essential for getting the recipe just right.
• 9×13 Baking Pan – Perfect for casseroles, brownies, and more family-sized dishes.
• Mixing Bowls (Set of 3) – Handy for mixing, prepping, and serving.
• Stainless Steel Skillet/Saute Pan – A kitchen essential that’s easy to clean and built to last.
• Spatula – Necessary item for mixing and when stirring food on the stove. Part of my essential list. 
• Thawing Tray – Another essential item to thaw meats quickly.  This little gem saves me so much time. 
• Small Prep Bowls – Makes it easy to premeasure ingredients and set aside for easy pouring without having to stop. 
• Large measuring cup and Extra Large measuring cup – Essential for those ingredients that require pouring and need to see the amount.

Budget-Friendly Recipes from Scratch
These are the same tools I use when cooking and testing the recipes shared on The Frugal Nook: simple, practical meals that stretch your grocery dollars further. If you’re looking for from-scratch dinners and everyday staples, everything lives in one place.

→ Browse the Frugal Kitchen recipes here

Crochet Tools for Reusable Kitchen Basics

These are the tools I use to make dishcloths, hot pads, and other long-lasting kitchen basics that replace paper towels and store-bought pot holders.

• Clover Crochet Hooks – Smooth and comfortable to hold, perfect for long projects.
• Stitch Markers – Keep track of your rounds and rows with ease.
• Yarn Storage Basket – Keeps your yarn neat, tangle-free, and easy to grab.
• Small Scissors – Small sharp scissor for snipping those tiny ends for finishing.
• Darning Needles – Small needles with a large eye that makes finishing projects simple.

Want the patterns? Find them on my Shop page

Simple Living & Budgeting Tools

Saving money is at the heart of The Frugal Nook. From planning meals to tracking spending, small habits can make a big difference over time.

💡 Get Started with my Budgeting Tool Kit:
These tools support simple financial organization: practical ways to keep money organized and reduce everyday stress.

Grab the Monthly Budget Tracker here ($7)

Blogging & Pinterest Tools I Use to Run This Site

The tools I use to run The Frugal Nook behind the scenes. I use WordPress to run this site and draft posts in Google Docs before publishing. If you’re curious about the tools I personally use, including how I organize and share recommendations, I’ve listed them here for reference.

• WordPress – The platform I use to publish and manage all content on The Frugal Nook
• Google Docs – Where I draft posts and organize ideas before moving them into WordPress.
• Bluehost – Web hosting provider for a starter blog.
• Bigscoots – Web hosting provider for The Frugal Nook and my sister site My Tasteful Threads.
• Microsoft Word – Occasionally used for outlining longer projects and saving offline drafts.
• Facebook – Where I share blog updates, budget-friendly ideas, and behind-the-scenes moments.
• Pinterest – Where I organize and share recipes, frugal living ideas, and blog content for easy saving.
• Benable – A simple way I organize and share curated product lists and recommendations I mention on the blog.

Wrapping Up

I hope this collection of kitchen essentials, crochet tools, budgeting helpers, and blogging tools offers a little inspiration for your kitchen, your home, or whatever you’re working on next.

Happy cooking and saving! 💛