Comments on: Supermarket Shopping: Generics Versus “Name” Brands http://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/ Personal Finance Blog, Your Guide to Financial Fitness Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dustin Wiesehttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-34656 Dustin Wiese Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-34656 I never knew there was a difference between generic & store brands? I never knew there was a difference between generic & store brands?

]]> By: Symphonyhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-11935 Symphony Sat, 22 May 2010 20:44:59 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-11935 Baby formula is such a heavily regulated food product that there is no way a generic brand can differ from it's name-brand equivalent. All baby foods. There is absolutely no difference except for the price. Baby formula is such a heavily regulated food product that there is no way a generic brand can differ from it’s name-brand equivalent. All baby foods. There is absolutely no difference except for the price.

]]> By: Audrey H.http://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-10013 Audrey H. Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:03:44 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-10013 We use generics & store brands a lot. I agree it really does save money to do so. I also find great sales when a new generic is introduced in my store. Two items that I do notice the difference in quality are corn flakes. I've tried several generic & store brand corn flakes & so far I still like Kelloggs best. We use generics & store brands a lot. I agree it really does save money to do so. I also find great sales when a new generic is introduced in my store.

Two items that I do notice the difference in quality are corn flakes. I’ve tried several generic & store brand corn flakes & so far I still like Kelloggs best.

]]> By: Machttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8979 Mac Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:15:34 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8979 Thanks Elizabeth. That's good to know. Guess I'll stick to SuperTarget after all. We're more price-conscious than we are organically-minded. Sometimes it's hard to balance both our health and our budget! Thanks Elizabeth. That’s good to know. Guess I’ll stick to SuperTarget after all. We’re more price-conscious than we are organically-minded. Sometimes it’s hard to balance both our health and our budget!

]]> By: DALE wYRICKhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8963 DALE wYRICK Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:21:04 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8963 I have changed the way I eat and saved money doing it. i only buy whole foods and avoid anything packaged and processed. My grocery trips are more simple and less expensive. I dont have to compare brands and generics when buying an apple I have changed the way I eat and saved money doing it. i only buy whole foods and avoid anything packaged and processed. My grocery trips are more simple and less expensive. I dont have to compare brands and generics when buying an apple

]]> By: Week in Review: Micah Edition | Buck$ome Boomer's Journey to Retirementhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8961 Week in Review: Micah Edition | Buck$ome Boomer's Journey to Retirement Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:03:56 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8961 [...] Supermarket Shopping: Generics verus “Name” Brands  Don’t overlook the savings of  selecting generic foods over brand names.  Learn from Michael Haltman @ Money Crashers experience. [...] [...] Supermarket Shopping: Generics verus “Name” Brands  Don’t overlook the savings of  selecting generic foods over brand names.  Learn from Michael Haltman @ Money Crashers experience. [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth Ihttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8954 Elizabeth I Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:46:40 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8954 I really look at what is in the product, if there is high fructose corn syrup, count me out. Thus, I do not opt for many generics in the store. I am a budget hitter. I make my budget each month, but as I save more, I try to convert more food items to organic. I find that our family is really healthy which is amazing since we have a child that is medically fragile. How do I do this? 1) I know what items should cost... ground beef, chicken breasts, milk, yada...yada...yada.... Thus, I know if the "special" is actually a special. (For example, last week one grocery store had kiwis on sale for .40 each...sounds good, the other grocery store had a bag of 8 organic kiwis for 2.79...the generic "on sale" kiwis are 3.20/ 2) I buy in bulk at the grocery store. I really like coffee and I purchase Starbucks coffee for $5.80 a bag. One grocery store carries it for over $8 a bag. My other grocery store carries it for $7.30, but every other month, has tons of $1.50 coupons taped to the bags. I buy 8 bags...that's $12 in savings... 3) I make food from scratch. I have some kitchen gadgets--a yogurt maker and a bread maker. I have made enough yogurt and bread to cover the cost the appliances. These items are easy to make and super cheap too. 4) Double coupons. I accidentally found out that one of my grocery stores has double coupons on Wednesday (only 5 though, only up to $1). Now I look for all of the $1 off coupons I can find on items in categories that I would normally buy. This week, I have $1 Nutella coupons and that $3.15 jar is going to cost $1.15. I have three of these coupons. 5) I base my meals on what is on sale, and also like I said, I stock up when items are on sale. It isn't uncommon for me to grab 7 packages of Purdue chicken breasts when they are $2.50 a package. Then I make lots of chicken dishes. Also, when meat isn't on sale, I normally have a couple of things to choose from so I don't have to buy meat that is not on sale. I really look at what is in the product, if there is high fructose corn syrup, count me out. Thus, I do not opt for many generics in the store. I am a budget hitter. I make my budget each month, but as I save more, I try to convert more food items to organic. I find that our family is really healthy which is amazing since we have a child that is medically fragile.

How do I do this? 1) I know what items should cost… ground beef, chicken breasts, milk, yada…yada…yada…. Thus, I know if the “special” is actually a special. (For example, last week one grocery store had kiwis on sale for .40 each…sounds good, the other grocery store had a bag of 8 organic kiwis for 2.79…the generic “on sale” kiwis are 3.20/

2) I buy in bulk at the grocery store. I really like coffee and I purchase Starbucks coffee for $5.80 a bag. One grocery store carries it for over $8 a bag. My other grocery store carries it for $7.30, but every other month, has tons of $1.50 coupons taped to the bags. I buy 8 bags…that’s $12 in savings…

3) I make food from scratch. I have some kitchen gadgets–a yogurt maker and a bread maker. I have made enough yogurt and bread to cover the cost the appliances. These items are easy to make and super cheap too.

4) Double coupons. I accidentally found out that one of my grocery stores has double coupons on Wednesday (only 5 though, only up to $1). Now I look for all of the $1 off coupons I can find on items in categories that I would normally buy. This week, I have $1 Nutella coupons and that $3.15 jar is going to cost $1.15. I have three of these coupons.

5) I base my meals on what is on sale, and also like I said, I stock up when items are on sale. It isn’t uncommon for me to grab 7 packages of Purdue chicken breasts when they are $2.50 a package. Then I make lots of chicken dishes. Also, when meat isn’t on sale, I normally have a couple of things to choose from so I don’t have to buy meat that is not on sale.

]]> By: Elizabeth Ihttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8953 Elizabeth I Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:26:15 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8953 Whole foods has the most expensive organic milk (surprise, surprise). There are two other grocery stores in Madison, WI that have cheaper organic milk. Also, the Whole Foods private label is not necessarily organic. You have to read the label. Thus, some of their items are really quite expensive. Whole foods has the most expensive organic milk (surprise, surprise). There are two other grocery stores in Madison, WI that have cheaper organic milk.

Also, the Whole Foods private label is not necessarily organic. You have to read the label. Thus, some of their items are really quite expensive.

]]> By: Winstonhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8945 Winston Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:44:12 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8945 Since I am a poor student, I don't really care about the taste as opposed to price. I tend to buy whatever is the cheapest. Obviously name brands taste a little bitter than store or generic brands. But the taste is only fleeting; they all end up in the same place afterward. Since I am a poor student, I don’t really care about the taste as opposed to price. I tend to buy whatever is the cheapest. Obviously name brands taste a little bitter than store or generic brands. But the taste is only fleeting; they all end up in the same place afterward.

]]> By: Kristin @ Making Cents Out of Lifehttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8936 Kristin @ Making Cents Out of Life Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:11:50 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8936 The savings between the generics and the name brand can be astounding but as a die hard couponer I have a hard time buying generics when I can put a little work into it and buy the name brand sometimes even cheaper than generics. When there's no coupons that's when the name brand vs. generic fight starts in my head. My problem is on the few,, and I do mean very few, brands we're quite loyal to. My cheese must be kraft, my dogs' food must be Purina Little Bites else they starve, and my bagels must be Lenders. I don't have any other brand preferences that I can think of, and usually if I can't find a sale with a coupon I can substitute or just do without until a sale. I guess I'm just cheap to the core. If I have to pay for toothpaste it makes me mad! The savings between the generics and the name brand can be astounding but as a die hard couponer I have a hard time buying generics when I can put a little work into it and buy the name brand sometimes even cheaper than generics. When there’s no coupons that’s when the name brand vs. generic fight starts in my head. My problem is on the few,, and I do mean very few, brands we’re quite loyal to. My cheese must be kraft, my dogs’ food must be Purina Little Bites else they starve, and my bagels must be Lenders. I don’t have any other brand preferences that I can think of, and usually if I can’t find a sale with a coupon I can substitute or just do without until a sale. I guess I’m just cheap to the core. If I have to pay for toothpaste it makes me mad!

]]> By: Skirnir Hamiltonhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8930 Skirnir Hamilton Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:39:46 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8930 Depends on the food as to how much difference that I have noticed. WE have a favorite name brand peanut butter (and yes, I can tell the difference) and pasta sauce. We have tried others, but we stick to the name brand. We have a favorite name brand chicken patti (less breading more real meat). But I use a lot of generic. Aldi's has some great fresh salsa. Some good sliced cheeses, etc. But bought some generic gouda and my husband found it a bit milder than the regular name brand, so sometimes you can tell the difference. But anyone notice how used to the generic was $.75 to $1 cheaper and now it seems to be $.30 to $.50 cheaper. IE a good sale or coupon, and the name brand is cheaper. I have been couponing more regularly once I saw that. Even Aldi's prices don't beat couponing. Now it depends one what you buy. Do read the labels though. I tried generic low fat salad dressing and they just added sugar to it. Yuck! I prefer my name brand on that one. I could save more sometimes by going generic, but not always. Here is a question for you all. I buy generic medications all the time. But my husband is a bit uncomfortable with dollar store generics for pain killers. They don't have much in my Dollar Tree store. Any opinions? He will say okay to Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc. But not to Dollar Tree. Depends on the food as to how much difference that I have noticed. WE have a favorite name brand peanut butter (and yes, I can tell the difference) and pasta sauce. We have tried others, but we stick to the name brand. We have a favorite name brand chicken patti (less breading more real meat). But I use a lot of generic. Aldi’s has some great fresh salsa. Some good sliced cheeses, etc. But bought some generic gouda and my husband found it a bit milder than the regular name brand, so sometimes you can tell the difference. But anyone notice how used to the generic was $.75 to $1 cheaper and now it seems to be $.30 to $.50 cheaper. IE a good sale or coupon, and the name brand is cheaper. I have been couponing more regularly once I saw that. Even Aldi’s prices don’t beat couponing. Now it depends one what you buy. Do read the labels though. I tried generic low fat salad dressing and they just added sugar to it. Yuck! I prefer my name brand on that one. I could save more sometimes by going generic, but not always.

Here is a question for you all. I buy generic medications all the time. But my husband is a bit uncomfortable with dollar store generics for pain killers. They don’t have much in my Dollar Tree store. Any opinions? He will say okay to Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc. But not to Dollar Tree.

]]> By: Machttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8916 Mac Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:05:30 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8916 I've never been to whole foods as I always thought they were too expensive...but you guys have me re-thinking this. I've always thought of them as healthy but pricey, but if if they're now offering coupons for their store-brand products, count me in. I’ve never been to whole foods as I always thought they were too expensive…but you guys have me re-thinking this. I’ve always thought of them as healthy but pricey, but if if they’re now offering coupons for their store-brand products, count me in.

]]> By: Zach Younkinhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8869 Zach Younkin Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:10:52 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8869 Looks like I have a new reason to shop at Whole Foods! Looks like I have a new reason to shop at Whole Foods!

]]> By: Seanhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8857 Sean Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:05:20 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8857 They actually just recently added a whole coupon section to their website: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/coupons/ They also have the Whole Deal flyer they put out. I have to say that in the last couple years they have really done a lot to appeal to more value oriented shoppers. They actually just recently added a whole coupon section to their website: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/coupons/ They also have the Whole Deal flyer they put out. I have to say that in the last couple years they have really done a lot to appeal to more value oriented shoppers.

]]> By: chrishttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8852 chris Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:22:07 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8852 There have been very few times where I have been disappointed by the generic product over the name brande item. There have been very few times where I have been disappointed by the generic product over the name brande item.

]]> By: Kimhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8838 Kim Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:14:19 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8838 If it's cheaper I will usually go generic most of the time. I have never really noticed much of a difference. However, since I really started cutting coupons and scouring the sale ads, in a lot of cases I can get the name brands now for cheaper than the generic! If it’s cheaper I will usually go generic most of the time. I have never really noticed much of a difference. However, since I really started cutting coupons and scouring the sale ads, in a lot of cases I can get the name brands now for cheaper than the generic!

]]> By: Karmellahttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8825 Karmella Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:17:56 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8825 I've seen coupons for the Whole Foods brands - usually in booklets at the store and sometimes on the website. I’ve seen coupons for the Whole Foods brands – usually in booklets at the store and sometimes on the website.

]]> By: Karmellahttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8824 Karmella Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:17:04 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8824 My doctor friends have absolute fits at the thought of buying brand name medicines - ibuprofin, etc... so I am more than happy to save the money by getting store brands. My doctor friends have absolute fits at the thought of buying brand name medicines – ibuprofin, etc… so I am more than happy to save the money by getting store brands.

]]> By: Zach Younkinhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8823 Zach Younkin Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:44:47 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8823 How much is a gallon of milk normal in your area? Many stores in my area offered milk for $1.79 if not less. One store even offered milk for $0.99 a gallon!! How much is a gallon of milk normal in your area?

Many stores in my area offered milk for $1.79 if not less. One store even offered milk for $0.99 a gallon!!

]]> By: anthyhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/supermarket-shopping-generics-versus-name-brands/#comment-8818 anthy Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:38:17 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2090#comment-8818 Agreed with everyone else re: food - in most cases, there's pretty much no difference. Especially if you're going to use the product for cooking or baking. One of the things I've had to be careful of is soda. Some generic soda is just really bad. Agreed with everyone else re: food – in most cases, there’s pretty much no difference. Especially if you’re going to use the product for cooking or baking.

One of the things I’ve had to be careful of is soda. Some generic soda is just really bad.

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