On the topic of cooking tools for those who prepare their own meals rather than order take-out (not dissing take-out, because it definitely has its place in simple living), I've found that a lot of what's found in kitchens is clutter. My cabinets probably contain a quarter of what's typical for a family kitchen.
Excellent meals can be made with just a few pots and pans, a spatula and tongs, a couple of wooden spoons (reserve one for onions and other aromatics), two or three knives, a cutting board, a casserole dish, a colander, and a couple of large bowls. For those who bake: add a set of measuring cups and spoons, a scraper, a whisk, a loaf pan, a sheet pan, and a square or round cake pan.
For leftovers, use the dish you cooked in and cover tightly with foil (keep a Sharpie handy to identify and date the dish). Eat leftovers promptly to minimize waste and recycle the foil if it cannot be cleaned and used again.
If smoothies are your thing, a full-size blender can be skipped. I use an immersion blender, which is currently my only small appliance, and blend the ingredients in a quart size measuring cup. It's perfect for single servings, and easy to clean if you rinse it immediately under running water. My favorite smoothie of the moment is a cup of milk or milk alternative, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup frozen cherries, a TBSP of cocoa powder, and because I'm on a health kick, a handful of spinach. An immersion blender also makes quick of home-made creamy soups, which can be blended right in the pot without any additional mess. Try butternut squash soup for a delicious fall treat.
A word about dishes. Lots of people have a gazillion mismatched plates, glasses, mugs, and flatware spilling out of their cabinets. Unless you routinely serve a crowd, buy a set of just enough for the seats at your table, plus two. There are four in my family, so I have six place settings. (A single person might decide to have two or four.) Rinse your dish after eating, set it to dry, and use it all day. I make this point because when dirty dishes pile up in the sink, it can be a daunting task that sucks the joy out of preparing meals at home.
Gosh, I've been very wordy here. Sorry. Hope at least some of this has been helpful. BTW, I'm a talker when face-to-face, too. Cheers!