Grocery Shopping

[Janet]

When you all go shopping, especially for things non-edible like laundry soap, do you buy the name brands such as Era? Or opt for something cheaper? Do the cheaper products work as well? And I'm talking about most everything including food storage bags and well just anything.

I'm really getting tired of spending so much when I go to the grocery store on food and not food items. I've always used Era, that's why I chose that brand and Downy and Bounce to write about. I haven't bought the cheaper brands because I was afraid they wouldn't get my clothes as clean and there would be money down the drain. Does it really make that much of a difference? Are there brands you would totally stay away from? What about store brands?

[gja1000]

I used store brands years ago when I was a struggling newlywed. Then when my finances improved, I started using the name brands - WHY? - I can't tell you why, probably advertising persuasion.

Now, that everything is getting so expensive I thought I'd go back to store brands and honestly, I can't tell that much difference in most things. I think in things like plastic bags, the store brands are a bit thinner, which can be a problem, especially in trash bags.

With canned vegetables, e.g., green beans, I sometimes find a few stems or strings in the store brands, but I do not find they taste differently. There are some items though where "brand" is important - to me. Ice cream for example, there are certain name brands and they are the better brands, that I like best and I do not care for the store brands.

Also, I HATE store brand toilet paper and paper towels - I have my preferred name brand and I won't change.

So, I guess my answer is, "it depends"

[Shada]

I use my Era and Downy. But I delute the Downy by probably about half and have same results. Era I don't use as much recommended and clothes get just as clean.

I do like my name brand veggies, but buy when on sale. Stock up when the price is low.

Name brand flour, store brand sugar.

Clothes and everything else.. has to be on sale! I am a bargain hunter.

I read up on Consumer Reports. Let them do my homework for me!


Got to have good TP paper and paper towels!!!

[Tink]

I recently tried the Everyday Elegance naturals clothes soap from Walmart and have to say I really like it. The clothes come out nice, and I love the smell of the citrus one. I'm on my second 64 load bottle and would gladly buy it again.
I buy name brand TP; paper towels; dish soap; bath soap; freezer bags and trash bags, but at Dollar General which is cheaper.

I too am a bargain hunter and I live far enough from Wal Mart that I really have to pay through the nose or shop at Dollar General which is nearby. I try to get to WalMart once a month and stock up good when I'm there.

[Lindsey]

For things like cleaners and detergents, brand isn't so important to me. For the past 6 or so months I've been just buying things that are environmentally friendly. Luckily, Walmart has their own brand of environmentally friendly cleaners! So that's the laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner I'm using right now. It's cheap, not bad for the earth, and I don't notice any difference at all!

[Janet]

Thanks for your responses. Guess I need to start checking out some lower price alternatives if they are working just as well. I did try store brand plastics and did find that they are thinner. I guess I'm just going to have to try certain things and see.

Tink, thanks for reminding me about the dollar stores. We have 3 in our small town, Dollar General, The Dollar Store, and The Dollar Tree. I usually just go to Wal Mart, one stop shopping you know, but I really should visit the dollar stores first, then go to Wal Mart.

Anyone else have information to share?