Grocery Shopping

[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?

[Gina]

Janet I to use name brand items.. It is getting costly as far as soaps and paper goods go. But certain things like some mentioned paper goods and other stuff llike dish detergent the generic don't cut it. I do buy store label frozen foods, they are not bad. I think its all in the way we were trained. I read that its best to buy generic meds. less for money and you get the same strenght and is just as good.

[Janet]

Yes, I buy the generic meds, so I guess in reality, if it's okay with the meds, it should be more okay with other items. I'm just really trying to watch the spending, that's how I saved up enough to be able to go shop a little this weekend. Now I'm looking to save even more.

[DianaB]

I used to use Era but I tried Purex and I really liked it and it's cheaper. I prefer the name brand fabric softner sheets but since they cost so much I usually get the off brand. I always buy Dawn dishwashing detergent because I think that it absolutely works the best! Plastic bags I usually have some of both. Trash bags, name brand only. Toilet paper, I used to only buy Charmin but I'm not happy with the price or how quickly we go through a roll so I've switched to a store brand. It's not as soft but the rolls don't run out as quickly.

As far as vegetables and canned stuff, our store has a cheap brand and a cheaper brand. I never buy the cheaper brand because I found that I was never happy with it. A lot of things you just have to try and see how you like them.

I buy a lot of my cleaning supplies at Dollar General too.

[Tiramisu]

My must have namebrands: Tide, Camay, Aleve, Dawn, and Glad bags.

I shop dollar stores for what I can and save several dollars. I've tried several cheaper items through the years and always seem to find something wrong - Gain causes a rash, Purex didn't work well with cold water, etc.

For me it's not being picky, just "tried and true".

[Shada]

For those Dollar Store purchases you really need to know your prices. Check out how much per ounce. Then check that price against the other stores. Many times it is cheaper at the other stores. The Dollar Store usually sells smaller bottles of stuff. Looks like a good deal, but when checked out, its really not. Of course this method is used with name brand products found everywhere.

I use Kroger brand tall kitchen trash bags. Those got a high rating with Consumer Reports. They are cheaper, plus I only buy when on sale, or packages that give 20percent more at one price. They are very strong.. never have had a problem. Then I changed my trash service for bags only. I buy my bags for $1.50 a bag. Large bags! I now only put out one bag every 3 weeks or so.. I can put a lot into one of those bags! On top of that I pay $5.00 per month for trash service. I recycle everything I can. Every little bit helps.

Check out the prices!!!! We assume larger amounts are cheaper.. not so many times.

TP paper.. buy double rolls only. Paper towels.. those are better deal buying large packs instead of single packs.
I know people that buy all their paper products at Sams. They assume they are a better deal. Not so.
Again.. check your prices! Write prices down and keep with you so you can compare.

[2tiredmom]

Janet,

I use Era also and Downey but I don't buy it unless it's on sale. Normally it goes on sale at Meijer and I can get it for 2 for 5. Downey is cheaper at walmart and I always use a coupon for it also. I don't like any other products. So when it goes on sale i really stock up. I mean major stock up 10 or more at a time on the Era.
I just don't like anything else. I can't see buying Tide. It costs way to much.