Recently updated on: September 18, 2023
For every adult, there comes a time when you'll learn to be more independent, and with that new sense of independence comes responsibilities, changes, and challenges.
You'll also realize that you don't need too much stuff in your house, but only an essential few.
Here are four household appliances that I found essential and practical for every adult.
Table of Contents
1. Refrigerator
A refrigerator is at the top of my list. Having cold storage where you can place your food, drinks, perishable goods, and consumables is handy.
It is especially practical to have so you can limit your visits to the grocery store.
With a refrigerator, you can always be assured of a cold drink for hot weather or a place to store your leftovers or desserts you'll want to finish later.
Quick Tip. When buying a refrigerator, look for a high Energy Efficiency Factor (EEF) for a more energy-efficient device resulting in a lower operating cost. That is the yellow paper attached in front of the door.
If you have enough budget, consider buying an inverter-type refrigerator to save energy and cost in the long run.
2. Microwave Oven
The second on the list is the microwave oven. When I started working in the corporate setup, our pantries usually contained two common electronic appliances -- the refrigerator and the microwave oven.
We would store our lunchboxes in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage, then take them out at lunchtime and reheat it using the microwave oven. It's more convenient than the traditional reheating in the pan.
Quick Tip. A microwave oven is not as expensive as you think. It can be as low as P3,000-P4,000 but can revolutionize your day-to-day.
3. Air-conditioning Unit
With the temperature getting hotter and hotter, an air-conditioning unit becomes a need instead of a luxury, especially in the summer.
However, the initial investment for an air-conditioning unit can be costly, but you will be rewarded with a night of good sleep, especially for those working the night shift.
Quick Tip. Like buying a refrigerator, you need to check the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for a more energy-efficient device, resulting in a lower operating cost.
Buying an inverter type is also more advisable to save energy and money in the long run.
4. Fully Automatic Washing Machine
Washing your clothes is one of the most time-consuming activities of the week, which can even occupy a whole day.
So if you're looking for convenience, a fully automatic washing machine can be a lifesaver. You'll place your clothes, separated between whites and colors, and then you're free to go.
You can do other activities while waiting for the machine to stop so you can hang your clothes.
But if you consider washing your clothes as recreation and meditation, you can also do so. 🙂
Quick Tip: Choose the load capacity of your washing machine depending on your need. If you live alone, you don't need to buy a 10-kg washing machine when a 6-kg machine suffices.
Final Thought:
Besides these four electronic appliances that I found essential, there are also appliances that I found wasteful or do not add value, such as the television and single-use appliances, which you can delay buying.
Adulting is tough, and it is easy to think we need many things to make our lives easier. Just ensure that the things we buy to help make our lives easier will be something other than our main motivation.