when my big slow cooker broke, I bought a smaller (about 1 gallon size) one for just me & DH. Unfortunately, DH passed a few months ago and now on my own. I found myself not eating much and not eating properly since it seemed a waste of time to cook just for myself. BUT....with a slow cooker, I can make myself a nice meal without a lot of kitchen time then have a healthier meal for a couple of days and freeze the rest in meal-sized portions. Then I can just take the meal out of the freezer the day before I want it and warm it up in the microwave. Definitely worth it, at least for me. I got this idea from my SIL - she's widowed too and she's a great cook.