Keep it simple when it comes to implements. I am a huge fan of garlic but I have found one of those hand-held garlic crushers to be just about the most useless thing in the world. Impossible to clean, and you can do just as well with a good sharp knife. In fact you really don't need a food processor, either. Too damned difficult to clean. A blender is useful for drinks and shakes and a coffeemaker is of course essential but that's pretty much it when it comes to machines. Oh, wait, a toaster, too. Honestly, I got through the dark winter of 2001-2002 on little more than a frying pan, a cookie sheet, a toaster, a coffeemaker, a small pot for pasta, and a bottle each of scotch, brandy and wine. (I shit you not, I Xeroxed all the best pages from P.J.O'R's "Bachelor Home Companion" and taped 'em up all over my swingin' bachelor studio pad in the appropriate places. Those were mad, dangerous, frightening times.)

And of course do not forget the phone numbers of the nearest convenient pizza and Chinese joints kept in a convenient location.