#also you can buy generic otc medication I promise the target-brand ibuprofin works just as well as name-brand advil

[sourpeachpit]

resident runaway here: if you're getting an air fryer, don't also get a toaster oven. toaster ovens are great (much better than pop-up toasters, 100% agree) but counter space is something that runs out fast. pick one or the other, they're not that different. (for me personally I've found that between the two, the air fryer has more versatility. I make toast in mine all the time. but ymmv!)

also I always recommend getting a french press or even a phin instead of a keurig or other big hulking machine. they're much cheaper, easier to clean and maintain, and better for the environment while not taking much more time to use. moka pots are good too but you'll need a stove instead of just a kettle.

and if you're pretty sure you'll have access to a stove (including one of those single camp butane burners), don't worry about the panini press unless you're sure you have the room. again, they're great but they take up a lot of space. and if you can only own one (1) pan (as I did for a while) take the L and get yourself some cast iron *if* you have an oven also (you'll need to season it now and then just to stop it from rusting), or a good nonstick pan if you don't. (of course this is not important unless you'll only be able to afford a single pan, but having been there, it's good to have a place to start just in case.)

also if you can get access to an ethnic grocery store like an asian market or something, it's often cheaper to buy a 15-pound bag of rice and keep a couple of green teabags and bay leaves inside of it to keep bugs out than buying a bunch of 2-pound bags from other grocery stores.

also you can cheap out on toothpaste (generic/cheap is perfectly fine) and toothbrushes but don't do it for shaving cream, especially if you shave your face.

and if you *do* shave your face, getting a proper safety razor and a few boxes of blades will get you a better shave for *far* cheaper than even the shitty cheap disposables, even if you use a fresh blade every single day. just make sure you have a blade bank or sharps container. (caveat: using a safety razor does have a skill curve, but there are tons of forums full of weird (affectionate) wet shave enthusiasts and hella tutorials on youtube on how to use it if you're keen on trying it out

Kitchen appliances I would recommend purchasing when moving out on your own:

Air fryer

One of those panini press grill things (not only can you make sandwiches but you can grill chicken and steak if you have an expensive model)

Rice cooker (not only good for rice but quinoa and any other grain, alternatively you could buy an Instapot)

Electric kettle (depends on how much tea you drink but it’s good for boiling water for cleaning and preheating water for pasta etc)

Kitchen appliances I would not recommend buying when you move out on your own:

Counter top coffee maker (you should not be drinking an entire pot of coffee on your own and it will be stale by the time you get to the bottom, plus these bitches suck to clean, Keurigs, French presses and stove top percolators where you make one or two cups at a time are more practical for a single person)