Do You Purchase Generic Brands?

[marla]

I buy generic brands when I can (when nobody in the family can tell the difference), but there are a few that I have to purchase the brand name.

1 Peanut Butter - it has to be JIF

2 Snack Bars - only Nutrigrain

3 Cola - either Coke or Pepsi

Do you find that there are certain products where the generic just doesn't cut it?

[2moretrees]

I'm not buying soda a t the moment, but there is no way I could drink the generic stuff. I tried one and that was more than enough. I used to be a diet coke fiend, but have slowly withdrawn myself from it. I'm drinking green tea these days instead.

[mbhunter]

I purchase generic products whenever they're cheaper and whenever quality isn't an issue. There are some products that I (or my wife) won't compromise on cost to get the generic. For example, I can't really taste the difference between generic soda and name-brand.

It's definitely a good idea to try out generic products when you can because the difference between them and the name brands might not be noticeable.

mbhunter

[terry1156]

I don't have much trouble with anything, but I don't just purchase generic brands. I am often able to buy national brands for less money than the generic brands when using coupons that are doubled or tripled at my local grocery stores. I basically buy whatever is the cheapest and more often times than not, it ends up not being the generic brand.

[Tree0164]

I will pretty much buy generic everything! We don't drink much soda but the generic doesn't borther me.

[momma4]

I buy majority generic products but if a name brand is on sale I hit that. LOL

[Lori63]

I purchase alot of store brands. Noone really complains (of course they know that complaining doesn't do them any good ). Some things they even prefer the generic brand. WalMart carries a bag of Dorito-like chips and cheese doodles for $1 and my kids love them.
I know there have been things over the years that got the thumbs-down, but I can't think of what they were.

[PrincessPerky]

Sometimes we prefer the generic (foodlion frozen veggies), sometimes we have to have the name (Jiff). Generally I buy the cheapest thing we like, If at all possible (so long as I am not asking for your tax money to do it) I buy the best quality. But if we can't tell the difference we go for cheapest option. (which since we shop in bulk at BJs occasionally the cheapest is name brand)

[CheaplyClever]

I have to have Tide, Cottonelle, and Mt Olive pickles. My husband prefers Hunts ketchup and Folger's. Other than that, we are a pretty generic household! (Unless, of course, brand names are cheaper.)

[momma4]

I just remembered I only buy Scott brand toliet paper. I have found it saves alot more than generic because it has more sheets. It takes 7 of us 1.5-2 months to go threw a 4 pack which only costs me on average $2.99 and if you keep an eye out they put out coupons for $1 off 4pk or larger which makes it alot cheaper. I got really lucky last week's shopping my grocery store had Scott toliet paper on sale for 2 for $5 so with my $1 off coupon I got a 4 pk for only $1.50 and I got the new one called extra soft with 50% more sheets so that one will last us a while oH and this is with a toddler who likes to play with the toliet paper and waste.

[Lori63]

I forgot- have to have Tide for whites and soccer stuff, etc., but use whatever is on sale with a coupon for my general laundry.

[BillsGirl]

never buy generic mayo, thats stuff is ssoo gross I did once and it was terrible!

Originally Posted by momma4

It takes 7 of us 1.5-2 months to go threw a 4 pack

Wow! How on earth do you manage that? There's only two of us in this apt. and it seems like we go through 2 four packs per month or month and a half. I wish we could cut down on tp consumption. How do you manage that little between 7 people??

[momma4]

Originally Posted by lisasayzhi

Wow! How on earth do you manage that? There's only two of us in this apt. and it seems like we go through 2 four packs per month or month and a half. I wish we could cut down on tp consumption. How do you manage that little between 7 people??

I think it is cause I hide it and if we need more they have to ask me LOL. 4 of the 7 of us are guys and they rarely use it. but I did notice when I was using the generic brands I would get a 12 roll pk and it would be gone in 2 weeks even with the same hiding method. So what I am thinking is it has to be the actual toliet paper either it is more comfortable to use Scott or there are enough sheets to keep up with the demand.

[momma4]

Originally Posted by BillsGirl

never buy generic mayo, thats stuff is ssoo gross I did once and it was terrible!

Oh yeah wow I use more name brands than I thought LOL. I won't buy generic/store brand mayos anymore. We only buy Hellman's. right now I am trying to make my own so far it is still runny

[BillsGirl]

We use hellmans light, not the fat free stuff but the light, and it's actually really good!!

[momma4]

Originally Posted by BillsGirl

We use hellmans light, not the fat free stuff but the light, and it's actually really good!!

my dh complains every time he sees lite, fat free, 0 carb, etc... he says what's the point. Maybe in his little head there is no point. UGH he is a high metabo person and he burns everything he eats the second he tastes it He don't get I have to watch what I eat and the kids (ok maybe only 1 of them the other 3 are high metabo too) We are going to have a fight this week on he is going to have to deal with my homemade mayo, salad dressings, and treats LOL.

[BillsGirl]

the fat free stuff is terrible I will admit but the ligth isn't so bad, I like it, and my hubby does too, hubby is also a very picky eater it took me a long time just to get him to try it and he doesn't mind it!

[karie]

I do with alot of things, but certain things I have to have my name brand. Like, I like regular Coca Cola I dont like the store brand colas as much. ~K

[Bluezy]

Store brands get you by, but only when the quality is equal to or better than the name brands.

Toilet paper is expensive enough. Yikes! Buy Scott for a little more and it will last you twice as long. Coke, Pepsi speak for themselves, but if it for mixers, you could get by with the store brands fizzys.

Laundry soap is another item. Spend a little more for a name brand and it will go farther. Thre are many brand names out there not as expensive as Tide that clean well and leave clothes looking fabulous.

Finally, store brand or discounted cosmetics reek havoc with your skin. It's not worth the low price. Stick with the better brands, especially with foundations, powders and mascaras.