How about different brands?
I am loyal to the store that gives me the best deal on what I am in need of at a specific time! Really!!
I shop at many stores. Kroger, Aldi, Meijer, Wal-Mart, SavAlot, Ollies, Dollar Tree, Big Lots, you name it. I go where the deals are.
I know 'my' BEST prices, and go to the place that can match that price or beat it.
I used to coupon a lot - back in the day. Today, it is not profitable for me to do much of that. The coupons we get are not things that I would buy, nor do ANY stores in our area double coupons any more.
Stores no longer match prices here either. The only time that happens in our area, is at Christmas time on 'things' not food.
SavAlot deals this week
Aldi specials this week
I don't purchase a lot of the things shown above - but boy there are some deals. If one was on a limited or super tight food budget - these would be some great deals. Not always the healthiest - but you know if you are hungry and have little/no money - it would fill you up!
You do what you have to do at various times in your life.
I think we have all been through times that full bellies was what was most important.
Brand loyalty. Are you loyal to certain brands?
Me not so much. I have found that most items are processed in the same plants and just different labels are added. You really need to read you products, and you will see.
My main loyalties are pet food - as certain brands make my cats sick and other brands they won't even think of eating (that says a lot to me).
I am pretty loyal about my lotion that helps my complexion.
Other than that - I am pretty much open. We have tried lots of different brands, and don't often find things that we don't like.
In my opinion - much of the taste comes from cooking/seasoning techniques - not brand.
I am not crazy about 'just eating' store brand cream of soups (rarely would eat any way), but they work fine in casseroles. I like to make my own 'cream of' mixes - but always keep canned on hand.
Veggies seem similar and I have no problems with them - it's all about how you fix them.
I have found that Walmart brand of vegetable BEEF (not just plain veggie) soup is wonderful! I use it in many dishes. COST is .50 a can - Campbell's is 1.49 can in our area. What a savings and they taste exactly the same!
I like to keep a few cans of ravioli around. Quick lunch or great to have for helping out someone or donations. Dollar Tree it is $1 every day (name brand) - or .89 can at WalMart (name brand). It is generally 1.29 can and up at regular stores, unless they are having a 10/ $10 special. You just have to pay attention.
I buy store brand peanut butter as well - usually Kroger or Aldi. I always get it for $1 or less a jar.
I have tried all the special brands people talk about - tea bags, coffee (not big drinkers), peanut butter, catsup, veggies, even shampoo, dish soap, etc. and NO we don't see a big enough difference to spend 3X the dollars for products.
I water down or use less that called for of most things that aren't food - so I alter it anyway.
Toilet paper - not necessarily brand loyal - just NOT single ply, yet soft and durable.
We are just simple folks with simple tastes.
I can jazz up anything with spices and cooking technique. IF we did try something that we thought was nasty - then no I wouldn't purchase again. So far though, that has happened rarely in 33 years.
What say you? I know there are going to be some brand loyal folks here - not sure about store loyalty.
Are you willing to try different things?
I am curious to hear your thoughts and experiences.
I'm not particularly loyal to brands, but I do most of my grocery shopping at Fareway (an Iowa based store) because they are closed on Sunday and I like to patronize stores that honor the Sabbath.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I wish we had small business grocery stores, as I like to patronize small businesses.
DeleteOur voices are heard through our dollars!
The only thing I am fussy about is tea. I like loose tea especially earl grey and not many shops carry it. It's mainly teabags although Asda does a loose tea which I do not like. So I tend to buy Sainsbury's Fair trade.
ReplyDeleteI bet you drink hot tea. It seems a lot people who make hot tea are very particular about tea. We make ice tea - I have never been a hot tea drinker.
DeleteI hope you always find your brand. Maybe stock up when you do.
I do have a few loyalties, but most are pretty cheap. All free and clear. After going through rashes and not breaking out after All, I won't even experiment anymore. Same with Neutrogena bar soap. Old fashioned peanut butter. Store brand is fine, but Jif, etc taste yucky to me. Too sweet. My cheapo loyalties are some Aldi brands - salsa, oatmeal, wheat tortillas, and their unsweetened applesauce.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I'm pretty open to whatever is on sale. My MIL was convinced that the brand names were superior. And she was pretty frugal. I wonder how much more she could've saved if she had experimented.
Good for you. It sounds like just the basics are your go to loyal brands. I always wonder that too. One can save a lot of money buying store brands.
DeleteAldi brands really are good.
The only thing I insist on name brand is Sriracha. I didn't care for the Aldi version at all, so we stick with the original brand for that. Everything else, I eat whatever's cheap and can never tell a difference (and boy, if anyone could tell a difference, it would be me!). This saves us untold amounts of money and I'm happy for it! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree there is a bit of a difference in taste on Sriracha or so G says. I am not a fan.
DeleteGood for you - got to love saving money!
The things I am loyal to name brand wise include Dawn dishwashing detergent, Crest toothpaste, and I love Nivea body wash, but it is expensive, so I only buy it a few times a year. But I love it! LOL
ReplyDeleteI keep Dawn for certain things - not necessarily dishes.
DeleteI like how we can stretch things to last that we love!
If it makes you happy - then you should buy it, when you can afford to.
Love your stockpile!
ReplyDeleteI'm not too brand loyal although I do like my dr pepper. ;)
I usually shop at Kroger, but try to only buy what is on sale and use a digital coupon too. I cherry pick at Food Lion, and I shopped at Aldi over Christmas. (love their christmas cookies and chocolates)
Aldi has the best chocolate ever! All their 'goodies' are good.
DeleteGlad to see so many people ABOUT saving the dollars!
I navigate toward Kroger - but I follow the sales and deals.
Well since I live in the boondocks, there is 3 towns for me to choose to shop from! Each are 10 plus miles away. Two have a dollar store and small grocery store, so not much use going to either place, because they are usually sold out! The biggest town of the three has three grocery stores. One has fruit and veggies that look like they dumpster dived from the other two stores! This store and one of the others is owned by same company. The other is one where you have to carry a card to get the sale price. The parking stinks and I always get screwed over by the sale prices, even when I show them their own ad! All three stores are comparable in price. That leaves Walmart. Even though I am not a fan, I really have no choice. I try to go early morning before it turns into a zoo. As far as brands, I go with Highland milk, it stays fresh even after the due date. Starbucks and Dunkin Donut Coffee, it keeps me sane and lasts forever! Land o Lakes soft butter, its the only brand which has a big tub. We use a lot of butter!! Everything else is whatever is the best bargain at the time, which sometimes is the top brands! My animals have their specific brands, cause you might as well keep them healthy or it'll cost you with a vet bill!
ReplyDeletePhyllis that sounds like a business opportunity waiting to happen! Too bad you or someone you know couldn't start a GOOD store!
DeleteHeck, if WM is all you have - then that is where you go. No need buying icky products when at least you have one decent store.
I can't begin to imagine how many stores we have within 10 miles of us. A bunch for sure.
If it's Hiland milk, DH used to work with a guy that had worked for Hiland. He told Dh that Hiland and Great Value (wal Mart) is the same. Their containers went through the same spouts.
DeleteThanks Debby
DeleteI am not brand loyal. Stores by me will double coupons up to 99¢. I can get soaps, detergent, razors for pennies when I double and match up a sale. My youngest loves Skippy but eats Aldi peanut butter. She does get a jar at Christmas and in her Easter basket. I prefer Hersheys syrup and since I always stock up when it is on sale I can have it. Hubby loves Special K cereal so I stock up with sales and coupons. Most of Aldi brands or store brands are just as good.
ReplyDeleteOh you lucky girl on the double coupons! It has been a few years since we have had that here.
DeleteI love that - Christmas and Easter gifts!!!! My great niece loves dill pickles (she's 13) and her brother (12) loves Cheese-Its. They each got several in their Christmas baskets!!!
Goodies for gifts.
You do so well on getting things cheap or free.
Cheryl, when we moved to Kansas we couldn't find Knott's Berry Farm Boysenberry syrup- I'm not a maple fan. My aunt sent me 4 bottles for Christmas every year! Perfect gift! I loved it and didn't need dusting!
DeleteLove it!!!! I keep saying food makes the best gifts. We all got to eat!
DeleteI love Tates cookies but I will not spend $5 for a package of them. I was given 4 packs for Christmas. I am very happy about that. I do not need anything. I would rather get things I enjoy and can consume for holidays. I like candles but I have enough for my lifetime. Food that I enjoy is much better. That is what I do for my parents with a gift card to go out too. They love it.
DeleteI love hearing the "food" gift stories!!!!! YAY for you.
DeleteDefinitely not brand loyal. I guess I am loyal to Dollar Tree, lol. Grocery store drought in my area. I shop at several stores too. I shop at Dollar Tree, Dollar General, WalMart & Big Lots. Major grocery stores in my area are very expensive or to far away. I love Sav-A-Lot but it's clear across town and so is Aldi's. Gas cost would eat up my grocery savings. I have a locally owned big grocery store but also it's a bit far away. If I am on that side of town and it's grocery day I will shop there. The other big grocery store is Hy-Vee and it is very expensive.
ReplyDeleteBrand loyalty. Not really. I am picky about vitamins. I am loyal to Dove soap. I will only buy name brand pet food. I usually buy higher end because my babies are my whole world. Higher end is usually Purina or a couple dollars more brand. DH is loyal to Irish Spring & Degree. Like you and your DH we are simple people and have simple needs. I use Dawn detergent for lots of things. I am not brand loyal for washing dishes. I wash my animals with it. I also use it to wash any rescues like hummingbirds. I always have some stray bird friend coming for help after a hurricane in a neighboring state.
Crafting items I can be a bit brand loyal even though I pride myself on being a frugal crafter. I tend to buy expensive so I can have it for twenty years or more. I love Stampin Up inks because I get a massive color range and they have reinkers. I bought all mine frugally. I use Georgia Pacific 110lb cardstock because it has so many uses for pennies. A ream cost only $6. I use it for card bases, stamping, printables, even drawing. I get very upset when my hard work has been ruined by a sub-par supply. Some expensive supplies are just as bad as the cheap ones.
My area has many stores around - but we have parts of town that there are really none except gas station/convenience stores. Folk who don't drive either use those (not good) or use bus.
DeleteI take care of my fur babies as well. Pickier for them than us!
Frugal doesn't have to mean cheap. If we get good quality that lasts - then that is frugal. If your supplies work well and last longer, then it is frugal.
Good job!
Aldi isn't really convenient to us either. Can you go just once a month or every 2 months to stock up? Or combine the trip to make it worthwhile? For us, there's a nice laundromat across the street from Aldi so we take our big stuff on the same day. There's also a great nursery next to it so that's a 3 season stop. Anyway, it makes the every 4-6 wk. trek worth it.
ReplyDeleteVery wise. I don't go every week - never have. Generally my Aldi trips are once a month or so, unless I see a specific item that is crazy price.
DeleteMay as well make your trip count to the max.
Great advice for all to use. As hubs says "plan your work and work your plan".
Good morning Cheryl. I am brand loyal to few things. I use either Dawn or Gain dishwashing detergent as they have the best grease cutting properties in my opinion. You know that I am not brand loyal to most things, as you have heard of my couponing for years. I must say that in those years, I didn't like the turkey bacon. I remember sending you tons and tons of coupons for that. By using coupons, shopping the sales, and even the clearance aisles, those couple of things we are brand loyal for, we can easily afford, and they make us happy. While washing dishes with inferior soap offends me, and makes me mad, I can use shampoo that was free with coupons, some off brand that may not make it very long on store shelves. It balances itself out. I will not eat the cheap hot dogs, nor siree Bob. But I will save to afford the good ones!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. We save in many ways to be able to enjoy other things.
DeleteG never liked the turkey bacon - but I did. LOL
Only beef hotdogs here - unless I am cutting them up for smokies and BBQ sauce - then it doesn't matter.
We all like making that money work for us!
I hate turkey bacon but my oldest daughter loves it.
DeleteI wouldn't say 'love' for e - but it was just about free then with coupons. I liked the taste - but G wanted nothing to do with it. Needless to say I don't buy anything but the real thing now.
Delete