I got a cheap one about a year ago because I wanted something to cook in while my kitchen was being refurnished. I was only expecting to need it for a few weeks, but I've fallen in love with it.

A small slow cooker will easily hold a complete meal for 4 people, or more if some of the bulkier vegetables, for instance, are cooked in another way. The obvious use for it is for casseroles and stews, but I've also found them very good for pot roasts and even things like pie fillings or meat-based sauces. It's often better to brown the meat, and things like onions, before you put it in the slow cooker, otherwise although it tastes nice the food can look a bit boring. And if you can heat the cooking liquid before you put it in, it will work much quicker.

You can put your meal in before you go to work and come home to find it cooked and waiting for you, which is lovely. There are plenty of recipes online but you soon find it's easy to create your own.