ArcaMax

I'm crazy about gadgets, everything from quirky can openers to smartphones. Hand me a Swiss Army knife and I'm in heaven -- the more blades and utensils the better.

Today I want to tell you about four gadgets for the kitchen that I consider wise investments -- money savers!

All are inexpensive enough to pay for themselves in a short period of time -- and then to continue paying off in food savings, which is saying a lot, as food costs continue to soar.

Vacuum Sealer

I've depended on a vacuum sealer in my kitchen for so many years that I cannot imagine getting along without it. Now and then I get lazy, and then I get an immediate jolt that reminds me why I do this.

Take strawberries. Placed in the refrigerator in their original container, strawberries often start to show mold in just a couple of days. If I put them into a container and vacuum out all of the air, they will last for at least two weeks in the refrigerator, remaining as fresh as the day I bought them.

My FoodsSaver gets a workout every day. Depending on the type of food, I use FoodSaver containers and canisters, plastic bags and canning jars to seal food items (this requires the jar sealer accessory).

I vacuum seal raw rice, sugar, spices, meat, baked goods (I freeze them first so the vacuum doesn't crush them), fresh fruits and vegetables.

I even vacuum seal silver flatware to keep it from tarnishing. I vacuum sealed my birth certificate and my Social Security card.

A vacuum sealer, when used diligently, will extend the shelf life of every type of food imaginable. That means your garbage disposal and trash can will cease to be the best-fed members of your household!

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