I'll admit it... I used to be a "brand snob." Yep... a "brand snob." I'm ashamed of that time in my life. For those of you who don't know what a brand snob is, I'm not surprised. I kind of made that up! I believe a brand snob is someone who will only buy brand name grocery, toiletry, and household-ish products because he/she is getting a higher quality product.
In the past few years, I have learned to really value our precious dollars. I have become a "compulsive saver." And I'm proud to admit that! Did you know that the "store brand" or other generic labels are very often your favorite brand with a different label? I mean it! They want their products sold, so stores and packaging companies bid for their products so they can put a different label on it. It's crazy. I don't really get it. But you know what I understand? I'M SAVING $
I've done quite a bit of experimenting in the grocery store. I had bought name brand products for years. Now I try to save by buying a lot of things in generic or store brands. Now, don't get me wrong; there is a time to save and there is a time where quality is majorly compromised when you buy generic. I'll tell you about some things I just will not by name brand anymore! I'll call it my "skimp list."
Skimp List
- Beans: beans are beans are beans as far as I'm concerned. If you are using canned beans, just compare ingredients and 9 times out of 10, there will be no difference in the generic brand. Dry beans are an even better deal! 2/3 cup of dry beans is about equal to a can of beans.
- Foil: OK, I was majorly skeptical on this one. Foil is crazy expensive and we constantly throw it away. So I decided to try generic foil. Not bad! If you don't really know what to expect, try the generic heavy duty foil. It's thick and durable.
- Canned Veggies: I'm not really into canned vegetables. I usually buy them frozen. But I very often used canned tomatoes. On average, I can save more than 20 cents on one can. No brainer!
- Bleach: Come one! What on earth seems logical about spending a few dollars more on Clorox when you can get the generic? Doesn't all bleach kill germs and ruin your favorite garments?!
Vinegar: Again, why do we insist on spending more than we should on vinegar?
Condiments
Oatmeal: My only disclaimer is that I have yet to see a box of generic instant oatmeal packets that claim to be "lower sugar." But I but generic plain oatmeal.
Butter: (in stick form)
Baking Essentials: I do PLENTY of baking, and I can tell you that generic flour and sugar are THE SAME!!!
Frozen Veggies: Something to think about: Vegetables are frozen at their peak freshness. You have no idea how long that bunch of broccoli has been sitting in that store... and it took a few days to get shipped to the store, right? So when you can (especially when you make soups), buy frozen. It's cheaper and probably fresher!
Here are things I've tried to skimp on and came out on the other side disappointed:
Splurge List
- Toilet Paper: Please Please Please don't skimp on toilet paper. You're dealing with a very sensitive area, folks!
- Tissues: I blow my nose a lot. My allergies are terrible. And I'll tell you this: NOTHING compares to "Puffs with lotion."
- Bread: I often find that the cheaper the bread, the more preservatives it contains. But a high quality bread.
- Yogurt: This is debatable (mainly between me and my husband). I get a little creeped out buying generic milk products. But that may just be my OCD talking.
- Laundry Essentials: I just experimented with buying a store brand laundry detergent. In fact, I'm on the last leg of the container. I'll admit that our clothes are clean. But I miss the smell of my old detergent. The smell of the store brand detergent is wonderful out of the container. But it doesn't last AT ALL for me. So when I finish this bottle, I'll gladly pay a little extra for "Gain."
- Paper towels: Who doesn't know that "Bounty" makes the world's best paper towels?
- Cereal: Again, this is debatable. Some generic cereals are comparable; some are not. I tried buying generic "Apple Cinnamon Cheerios" and my son took one bite and stopped eating. But generic crispy rice cereal makes great Rice Crispy Treats!
- Meat: NEVER NEVER NEVER skimp on good quality meat. That's just scary. If your ground beef is in a tube (like breakfast sausage is packaged), you can't see the meat. What is logical or safe about that? You could be purchasing a tube of dog poo for all you know!
I can't stand watching people waste money on name brands. I'm not at all saying that I don't buy name brand products. I've clearly shown you what I will and will not buy. But I just want you to think and compare ingredients and nutrition facts before you buy. You could save 30% or more on your next grocery bill! Now that's smart!
Good points. I always buy store brand foil, Saran wrap and ziplocs. To me it doesn't make sense to pay more for those things. I always say, where the foods are concerned, give them a try. Ask an Italian Grandma how to save. She could expand a pot if pastina by adding an extra egg. Times like these allow us to uncover creativity and recourcefulness that has lain dormant.
ReplyDeleteGreat Value clear plastic wrap (Wal-mart brand) is TOTALLY better than Saran Wrap!!! It's the only "Saran wrap" I'll use :)
ReplyDeleteI must take issue with the oatmeal and butter. I have often had a disappointment when buying store brand grains, getting a lot of hulls in it. I have also noticed that name brand butter seems to have more cream and less water in it. But, if it is cheap enough, I still skimp and get store brand! haha
ReplyDeleteI am finding all sorts of creative ways to save, too. Such as, cutting back on the amount of meat a recipe calls for. We really don't need that much anyway, and it is just as good, while saving on one of the most expensive mealtime ingredients!