Talk to me about store brands

IrishCoffee7 · August 2011

Gah, I'm getting cheap. DH and I are trying to save for so many different things at once and well, I just like keeping my money. I have gotten better at:

Meal planning, buying in bulk, couponing, cutting out unnecessary monthly bills, sticking to a budget, identifying unexpected budget drainers (lol trips to stock up on wine anyone?).

I do not buy store brands, I am kind of a snob. I was just lurking on P&CE and they were talking laundry detergent, and the Kirkland brand came up. I'm not about to shell out for a huge vat of detergent before I know that I will like it, but I'm curious...

What store-brand products do you find to still be of good quality? Which ones are not worth it?

CinemaGoddess · August 2011

The only things we don't buy store brand:

Flour

Diapers

Frozen waffles

Everything else we're fine with buying store brand. It's not that much different, really. Except for the three above. Don't mess with my frozen waffles, yo.

SnoopyLuv · August 2011

Things we buy store brand:

Pain killers, cough medicine, etc.

Frozen veggies, waffles.

Spices

Snack items for Josie- cheerios, animal crackers, etc

Detergent

Hand soap & lotions, chap stick

Milk, butter, cheese

Diapers, wipes, baby shampoo

Things we never buy store brand: Any condiments or sodas. Cereal for us.

I always buy on sale so the store brand isn't always the best deal, especially if I can line up a coupon.

insertclevername · August 2011

I am a big fan of Target Up & Up products. I use their diapers and some of their paper products. Other than that I haven't really tried too many store brand items. I also use local grocery store brand pasta sometimes.

ames71 · August 2011

Target's Up & Up and Archer Farms: Formula, wipes, mouthwash, sunscreen, paper towels, toilet paper, pain relievers, vitamins, snacks, drink mixes, frozen foods.

Kroger's Private Selection label is decent. I buy: green tea, milk (sometimes), cheese, puffs, frozen fruit and veggies, frozen foods, spices.

I stick with name brands for coffee, diapers, most hair/beauty products and baby food. That's just because I have specific products that I love and don't mind paying extra for them.

KJmashup · August 2011

I usually don't do store brands for most food, laundry, or baby items. Everything is a go, including meds and personal hygiene products.

detokiet · August 2011

I use up & Up (Target brand) diapers, wipes, bottle liners.

Also garbage bags, dishsoap, detergent & dryer sheets. DH uses store brand shampoo. I've found that my hair can't tolerate cheaper shampoos (I used to use V05 or Suave) and now that I use a more expensive (Aussie brand) shampoo and conditioner I don't have split ends and my hair is cleaner and smoother.

I'll buy store brand peanut butter, bread, milk, snacks, canned goods, etc.

I will not buy store brand macaroni and cheese though. I'm a mac and cheese snob, because nothing tastes as good as Kraft, IMO. The store brands have a funky aftertaste. I do buy Velveeta on occasion when I want a change up.

snansley · August 2011

I love me some Kirkland brands: baby wipes, facial wipes, baby formula, snack foods, eco-friendly laundry detergent and softener, OTC medicine, etc. Costco will take anything back, even if opened, so there is no risk in trying their brand.

Many of the private label brands are a similar quality as the brand-name but they are cheaper because they don't have all the advertising costs built in. We buy grocery brand canned goods and organic milk even.

CinemaGoddess · August 2011

heckysue:

So here's another question: If you are good at shopping the ads and using coupons, is it cheaper to get things like laundry detergent, paper towels, etc. at a regular grocery store or Sam's/Costco?

Yes, I realize I'm being lazy. I am just curious if people have done the comparison. I get lost when I start comparing how many rolls, if they're double rolls, how many sheets and how many ply and all that. I can't compare apples to oranges, yo!

It really depends. Considering that I can't get out of Costco for less than $150 in a single trip, avoiding that place immediately saves us money.

I have also noticed that the per unit price for items at Costco isn't necessarily cheaper than they are at the grocery store, especially if you coupon or use the sales ads. I've been able to get packages of pasta for 35 cents each and they're over $1 at Costco.

LinZbb · August 2011

Target's Up and Up like everyone said for things like soaps and baby products. My little guy doesn't like some of their baby snacks though also I will never buy cheap dishwasher liquid again because Cascade is so much better.

sillypit · August 2011

We use Kirkland brand laundry detergent and love it. Kirkland brand is generally very high quality. We also use Safeway and Target store brands. I don't buy cereal, condiments, diapers or frozen pizza in store brand.

LILBIT1221 · August 2011

I too am a fan of the up & up brand from Target. I like the diapers too. The cleaning supplies even the laundry soap are pretty good.

I WILL not use off brand cheeses, Oreos or deli meats. *gag*

ETA: Also, No store brand soda or canned veggies.

LittleGus · August 2011

Make your own laundry detergent, Duggar style

I do store brand for nearly everything. Some exceptions I can think of off the top of my head are diapers, soup, and cereal. Other than that its all the same to me, but I'm totally not a snob about it. I understand why some people are. For me, the savings is more important.

Mt2G1012 · August 2011

I buy almost everything Target Up and Up or archer farms or my grocery store (copps/pick n save) brand. My grocery store brand is the best store brand I've had and I used to be a brand snob until them. Except I buy talenti gelato, haagen daaz ice cream, kashi cereal and chobani. I buy a ton of kirkland (costco) stuff as well. I love target and costco so I could still go broke there even buying their brands!

jamiemsmith · August 2011

I could eat everything generic. I really don't care. I need to try Up and Up diapers before I swear to Huggies though. DH is picky about deli meat, OJ, and soda. Everything else is fair game. If I have coupons and it's on sale, I buy name brand, if not, I go generic. Though I'm starting to resent generic TP and paper towels.

seahorse102410 · August 2011

I think the thing is if you buy strictly cosco brand items and you stick to your list when you go there you will save money. Their store brands are made by the same companies that make name brand stuff. Like I believe their diapers are made by kimberly-clark who makes huggies so they are the same.

But I don't like huggies so this does not help me.

I also cannot stick to a list so it does not benefit me in the least.

Now, store brands at my regular grocery store I have no problem with. Pretty much everything except for toilet paper, coffee, peanut butter and diapers.

SnoopyLuv · August 2011

cinema_goddess:
heckysue:

So here's another question: If you are good at shopping the ads and using coupons, is it cheaper to get things like laundry detergent, paper towels, etc. at a regular grocery store or Sam's/Costco?

Yes, I realize I'm being lazy. I am just curious if people have done the comparison. I get lost when I start comparing how many rolls, if they're double rolls, how many sheets and how many ply and all that. I can't compare apples to oranges, yo!

It really depends. Considering that I can't get out of Costco for less than $150 in a single trip, avoiding that place immediately saves us money.

I have also noticed that the per unit price for items at Costco isn't necessarily cheaper than they are at the grocery store, especially if you coupon or use the sales ads. I've been able to get packages of pasta for 35 cents each and they're over $1 at Costco.

Absolutely. It really does depend. If you get a sale, paired with a coupon at a grocery store, probably not cheaper at Costo. We don't have a club membership anymore, it wasn't worth it for just 2 people. Meats and dry goods are usually your best bets there. TP and paper towels are seemingly always cheaper at Walmart.

Mt2G1012 · August 2011

heckysue:
So here's another question: If you are good at shopping the ads and using coupons, is it cheaper to get things like laundry detergent, paper towels, etc. at a regular grocery store or Sam's/Costco?

Yes, I realize I'm being lazy. I am just curious if people have done the comparison. I get lost when I start comparing how many rolls, if they're double rolls, how many sheets and how many ply and all that. I can't compare apples to oranges, yo!

Costco is generally cheaper for stuff, even the name brand stuff. But not always if there is a sale or coupons. It just depends. But 90% of the time costco is cheaper for us. We cut out $100 of food spending each month by going to costco. Yes it is expensive to go there for a trip, but I go every 4-5 weeks so no biggie.

ETA: I also buy charmin TP as a brand name thing and it is always cheaper at costco for us. AS for shampoo, I don't buy store brands, but I don't buy salon stuff either. I change it up every bottle. Right now it is root awakening by john frieda.

CinemaGoddess · August 2011

seahorse102410:

I think the thing is if you buy strictly cosco brand items and you stick to your list when you go there you will save money. Their store brands are made by the same companies that make name brand stuff. Like I believe their diapers are made by kimberly-clark who makes huggies so they are the same.

But I don't like huggies so this does not help me.

I also cannot stick to a list so it does not benefit me in the least.

Now, store brands at my regular grocery store I have no problem with. Pretty much everything except for toilet paper, coffee, peanut butter and diapers.

This is impossible to accomplish at Costco. or Target.

Libby1978 · August 2011

We buy most things in the store brand. The only detergent I've bought in store brand is the wal-mart free & clear. I don't buy store brand diapers, mayo, or sliced american cheese. Pretty much anything else I'll buy the store brand if the product is available in the store brand.

Mt2G1012 · August 2011

cinema_goddess:
seahorse102410:

I think the thing is if you buy strictly cosco brand items and you stick to your list when you go there you will save money. Their store brands are made by the same companies that make name brand stuff. Like I believe their diapers are made by kimberly-clark who makes huggies so they are the same.

But I don't like huggies so this does not help me.

I also cannot stick to a list so it does not benefit me in the least.

Now, store brands at my regular grocery store I have no problem with. Pretty much everything except for toilet paper, coffee, peanut butter and diapers.

This is impossible to accomplish at Costco. or Target.

Agree CG. And this thread is reminding me of things I buy brands of, I buy miracle whip. I've tried store brands and they smell and taste like rotten eggs.

lucisparents · August 2011

I found that now that I'm a couponer and play the "drugstore game" I now get more brand names than ever. But I continue to buy store brands when I actually have to pay.

lucisparents · August 2011

https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/03/my-stock-up-price-list.html

CinemaGoddess · August 2011

heatherm818:
cinema_goddess:
seahorse102410:

I think the thing is if you buy strictly cosco brand items and you stick to your list when you go there you will save money. Their store brands are made by the same companies that make name brand stuff. Like I believe their diapers are made by kimberly-clark who makes huggies so they are the same.

But I don't like huggies so this does not help me.

I also cannot stick to a list so it does not benefit me in the least.

Now, store brands at my regular grocery store I have no problem with. Pretty much everything except for toilet paper, coffee, peanut butter and diapers.

This is impossible to accomplish at Costco. or Target.

Agree CG. And this thread is reminding me of things I buy brands of, I buy miracle whip. I've tried store brands and they smell and taste like rotten eggs.

Any mayo-type-product is disgusting so we save money by not buying it at all!

Shazam!

Stick out tongue

~Flossie~ · August 2011

We buy almost everything store brand only because we have a really awesome store called the Super Store that has a store brand called President's Choice that makes really amazing products.

I probably wouldn't buy store brand stuff if it wasn't for President's Choice.

The only thing I don't buy of President's Choice is their diapers. We are definitely into Pampers or Huggies.

Fulbri05 · August 2011

Back when we lived in states that had Kroger, I bought EVERYTHING Kroger brand, except for cereal. A lot of things I thought tasted better than name-brand and it was always much cheaper. Up and Up brand is also amazing, I like their version of Similac Sensitive more than the real deal.

LeanneCM · August 2011

We save a TON by using Babies R Us brand formula. a regular can is almost half the price of the name brand and we always have coupons laying around. I know some people might be uncomfortable with store brand formula, but our pedi said it is regulated by the government and they match the name brand so closely that it really makes no difference.

Another big money saver is moving up to children's ibuprofen. it is half the price of the infant and my pedi also recommended it - he gets 3/4 of a teaspoon. (LO is teething and getting a temp with every tooth)

CinemaGoddess · August 2011

LeanneCM:

We save a TON by using Babies R Us brand formula. a regular can is almost half the price of the name brand and we always have coupons laying around. I know some people might be uncomfortable with store brand formula, but our pedi said it is regulated by the government and they match the name brand so closely that it really makes no difference.

Another big money saver is moving up to children's ibuprofen. it is half the price of the infant and my pedi also recommended it - he gets 3/4 of a teaspoon. (LO is teething and getting a temp with every tooth)

FYI - Target's Up and Up brand formula is about 25%-30% cheaper than BRU's brand. I just got 44oz of powder formula for $19.99.

chach916 · August 2011

I buy Meijer brand in almost everything. When its something new, I always look at the back at the ingredients and its always the same as the name brand. I try to coupon but its always cheaper just to buy the Meijer brand. Only things I can think of right off hand that I don't buy Meijer brand are:

Frozen Pizza (I figure I'm already saving money by not buying delivery)

Yogurt

Honestly, those are the only things I can think of off the top of my head. There are a lot of cookie/snack type things that I also buy name brand, but its because Meijer brand processes a lot of their food in a nut facility and B has a nut allergy so I don't like to take the chance.

southernsweetieal · August 2011

diapers-target

wipes-walmart the ones in the bath department not baby dept more for money

bottle inserts-walmart

clorox

cereal

milk

bottle nipples

ziplock bags-commisary brand

tylonal

Mt2G1012 · August 2011

heckysue:
cinema_goddess:
heatherm818:
cinema_goddess:
seahorse102410:

I think the thing is if you buy strictly cosco brand items and you stick to your list when you go there you will save money. Their store brands are made by the same companies that make name brand stuff. Like I believe their diapers are made by kimberly-clark who makes huggies so they are the same.

But I don't like huggies so this does not help me.

I also cannot stick to a list so it does not benefit me in the least.

Now, store brands at my regular grocery store I have no problem with. Pretty much everything except for toilet paper, coffee, peanut butter and diapers.

This is impossible to accomplish at Costco. or Target.

Agree CG. And this thread is reminding me of things I buy brands of, I buy miracle whip. I've tried store brands and they smell and taste like rotten eggs.

Any mayo-type-product is disgusting so we save money by not buying it at all!

Shazam!

Dude, don't mess with my mayo. Hellman's. Full-fat.
I could totally go for a mayo-laden sharp-cheddar-and-tomato-on-wheat sandwich.

::drools::

Edited because I said "dude" twice. Lame.

Yeah I'm totally in the miracle whip light camp. Just thinking about mayo makes me throw up a little.

Kitiara5512 · August 2011

We will often buy store brands when we have the option based on whether we feel the quality on that particular item is okay or not. On food especially name brands often have varieties available that are not there in the store brand and if I want that flavor, I dont mind shelling out for it, because there doesn't tend to be a huge difference in price. I will not buy fake velveeta though, that is nasty and gets oily gross, I prefer the ew gross of the real kraft deal.

wife1014 · August 2011

I am another fan of the Target Up and Up brand. I use their diapers and wipes and any health and beauty/drug product.

Kara5109 · August 2011

We use a lot of store brand food. I see no difference in most things and that help a lot with the grocery bill.

Rach21 · August 2011

I coupon so most of the time, the brand names come at a better price. Here's what I do buy store brand:

Milk - I'm lactose intolerant. Purity 1% Acidophilus is $5.69 where we are. Kroger 1% Acidophilus (and currently the ONLY grocer with a store brand) $2.99

Bread - Publix multi-grain bread (compared to Arnold's or Pepperidge Farm when it is not B1G1 $3.60-$3.99) tastes the same, and is $2.99

Frozen chicken breasts - Tyson charges $8-9 for bags of chicken. Kroger or Publix is usually $6.99

It's not really "store" brand, but I use Suave professionals ($2.99) I went from Pantene to Suave professionals and my hair looks great, even on days I don't have time to blow dry/straighten it.

DreadLoc · August 2011

heckysue:

And then the greenie in me thinks I should start making green, planet-friendly cleaners since I refuse to spend eleventy-billion dollars on green cleaning products.

It's not that hard! Go to your local big box stroe and go to the pool supply section. There should be a 6-7lb bag of baking soda. Go to the grocary section and buy a gallon of vinegar. Then buy a spray bottle and one of those glass sugar shaker things. Mix 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in the spray bottle. Put some baking soda in the sugar shaker.

For simple messes, use the vinegar spray. For light scrubbing, sprinkle the baking soda and use a damp/wet cloth to scrub. For heavy duty, super stuck on messes, sprinkle the baking soda and the pour some straight vinegar on and watch the bubbles do their magic. Sprinkle the baking soda on rugs, wait 30 minutes, and vacuum.

The vinegar smell takes getting used to but just remember that no matter how strong it smells, as soon as it dries that smell will vanish.

I haven't purchased cleaning products in over a year and this combo keeps the house clean and smelling fresh.

Want a personalized experience?

Talk to me about store brands

Re: Talk to me about store brands

Choose Another Board

Search Boards