I bought this vacuum sealer intending to marinate meat quickly but have ended up using it for storing pretty much anything perishable. Lets you buy fresh produce in bulk and then store it without having to freeze it. Or freeze it and know that it will be fine even after many months. Bags can be bought cheap and even cleaned and reused if they're big enough, so there are plenty of ways to cut costs. A great little gadget. Highly recommend.