Kitchen Essentials Mostly Under $100 
Expensive or name-brand does NOT always mean better. Here are tried-and-true tools, all under $200, mostly even under $100. I'm a Le Cordon Bleu grad and persnickety customer.
Everyone needs a small 1.5-quart saucepan for sauces and cooking for 2-3 people! This is a solid, reliable pick. But it does NOT work on induction cooktops.
When in doubt, OXO everything. I use this for stirring soups, sauces, stews, etc.
The best, sharpest, and most portable peelers ever. Super cheap. Don't consider anything else.
The average person will need a butcher knife maybe 2-3 times per year. But when you need it, you REALLY need it. So make sure you have a good butcher knife. Victorinox is a solid brand that's very affordable.
If you invest in ONE knife, it should be your chef's knife. Wustof is my favorite. The knife and handle are one solid piece.