I'm grateful now that I am retired that I have the time to do both. I do like to eat homemade foods so I can control the amount of sugar, salt and fat that goes into a recipe. Not that I am a dieter but my aging stomach just feels better when I eat better foods. Do like to bring out the crockpot occasionally. Love that the meal is ready whenever we are ready to eat! Lucky my DH is not a fussy eater!