I love my Griswold skillets (have a full set) and my Le Creuset Dutch oven and 3 Qt. pan. If a person takes care of them, you will have them for a lifetime, so I feel it's an investment into good equipment. A friend picked up a cast/enamel Dutch oven at Sears on sale for $49.99 at Christmas. She is happy, so it's depends on what you like and can afford. I couldn't make candy without my 3 Qt. Le Creuset pan. I like the way it cooks.