If you'd like to spend less of it standing in front of a stove, consider investing in a pressure cooker, which can significantly shorten cooking times for a variety of foods.
The well-known (and hugely popular) Instant Pot model starts at around $70, but here's a cheaper -- and arguably better -- alternative: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the Gourmia GPC800 8-quart pressure-cooker for $49.99 shipped (plus tax).
It normally sells for $100.
It not only pressure-cooks, but also steams, sautes and slow-cooks.
Beyond that, it offers a whopping 13 presets, for things like rice, yogurt and meat.
How does the Gourmia compare with the Instant Pot?