Home & Garden Blog » Kitchen Gadgets

Walmart’s newest dedication to using social networking tools and Web 2.0 interfaces may be rooted in capitalism and greedy corporations, but there are some great user benefits that save the college-bound a few hundred in shipping, packaging, or unnecessary double and triple trips back and forth to the local department store. Walmart.com’s new College 09 site has a wonderful selection of thrifty and stylish supplies for the young and the educated, including some “Value Bundles” that should be checked out for their super thrifty status. Featured on their top selling value bundles are:

Kalorik Sunny Morning Basic Kitchen Appliance Set, Tangerine and White: $85.00 Coming with a toaster, a blender, a coffee maker and a kettle, this is a cute set that will brighten any freshman’s smile when they wake up for that first 8 a.m. class.

Another great steal is the Girl’s Twin Bedding and Towel Set at $45.00, with a bright lively pattern for the comforter and sham and 6-piece towel set for all your bathroom needs.

Now what about the boys? While the girls have their bright orange kettles and striped comforters keeping them colorful and hydrated during finals, what will the boys use?

I won’t lie, I’ll suggest the Mainstays Tall Corner TV Stand and Viore 26” Class LCD HDTV Bundle for $349.00 out of experience and necessity. 26″ HDTV with digital tuner and the stand makes this a complete package, and perfect for the Xbox hookup. No joke, these things are a necessity! Video games are a growing market, the boys are doing “research” into a prospective career field. No lie!!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more kitchen appliances and tv stands.
Discounts on towels and twin bedding.

It’s summertime, and the drinks are sweating more than you are. What do you do to chill off? Consider buying a blender to make some fun fruity drinks that are nutritious and–perhaps?–alcoholic. Fresh margs, pineapple juice, maybe event your own blended beverage for the next pool party or summer grill. You want to make sure you’ve got a solid, working blender, especially with an ice crushing function that is sturdy and reliable–I’ve been there, when the blender breaks, smashing ice in a plastic bag with a sledge hammer in the backyard. It’s fun, but not practical or delicious, especially when you get grass or dirt in the uneven ice chips that scatter across the driveway when the bag breaks (and believe me, it always does!).

Some tips for blender shopping:

1. Ice crushing function. Already been described above.
2. Long cord/ functionality outdoors. You want to be part of the barbeque and picnic! It’s so much more fun than making the drinks in the kitchen while everyone’s outdoors enjoying the fun and the sun.
3. Removeable top pitcher for easy pouring and handling. You want to make sure the bottom is securely fastened, too, or else your yummy beverage is going to fall all over the place!

Some of our top picks for blenders for the summer season:

1. Back to Basics 3-Speed Brushed Chrome Personal Blender Express, BPE3BR: $22.00

The thriftiest of all designs, this is for the college kid on a major budget crunch with a sweet tooth.

2. Oster 14-Speed Blender from Kmart.com: $24.99, marked down from $29.99

Beautiful standard design with many speeds to play around with. Much sturdier top than the Back to Basics blender above.

3. Cuisinart SmartPower Premier 600W Blender: $99.95

With a 600-watt motor, this is the best blender on the market, with the price to match. Buy this if you’re looking for a real lifetime investment in partying and happy drinking.

Shop for through a wide selection of affordable blenders.

While I have strived to make my posts for Smarter.com’s Home and Garden section as PG and universal as possible, I will admit that I have been leaving out one important summer event: the all-out party and beer fest that certainly comes at least once a year at any well-bred household!  To have the best beer bash around, there are some basic necessities: a fantastic grill and grillman (or woman!), nice selections and summery tasting beer, and some form of relaxation and/or entertainment.  Why not combine the last two, and add some major hospitality points, with a kegerator?  Yes, it rhymes with alligator and is probably your little brother’s nickname from back in college, but who cares: summer is a time to relish those eventful, fun, and somewhat mischievous purchases, and if Smarter.com can provide a discounted price for an awesome product, why not indulge?

What to look for in a kegerator:

Beer selection is the one and only priority in my book.  Unfortunately, it’s rare to find a multi-brand kegerator.  If you’re going to invest, you need to pick one that fits a beer you absolutely adore.  To get that pub poured taste, you want to make sure you enjoy the taste to begin with.  Don’t go for something too heavy, like Guinness: make it something more light and enjoyable to everyone, through multiple seasons.  Here are some great priced kegerators to try out:

1. EdgeStar Mini-Kegerator and Beer Dispenser:  Smarter.com features a great bargain at Buy.com on this delectable item, coming in around $119!  The EdgeStar design fits a 5-liter mini keg and perfectly fits (and pours) the Heineken Draughtkeg.  This is really a bargain, and a very sleek design too.

2. Now if you’re looking to commit to a installation piece, check out the sleek Summit Beer Dispenser and Kegerator.  Holding over a 23 liter keg, this is a sleek piece that is meant for a true beer appreciator.  For $981.14, this is a bargain deal considering all the benefits and long term use of the product.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through all kegerators.

I admit it, I never could figure out those 80’s Rubik’s cubes. I would get baffled and just masterfully peel the sticker squares of the sides I could not get to match up, some people call it cheating - I call it clever.

Well these Rubik Salt & Pepper shakers do not require any thought, just twist the top half and out comes the seasonings. Plus for you arty folks, adds a bit of whimsy and kitsch to your decor.

I also like these Peacock Salt and Pepper shakers!

Right now Gift Collector is featuring a sale on all fiesta kitchenware and this nifty set is marked down from $22.00 to $14.99! 

For more discount Kitchen Gadgets & Tools, click here.