Today, I think I'll try something new and share some words of wisdom that I have learned, living these last few years on a tight budget. Before I quit working, we lived in a name brand world. When we started living on one income and the boys' medical bills began pouring in, we learned that we needed to make some changes. In order to adapt to our new frugal lifestyle, we began experimenting with generic products. We quickly learned that while there are some things that are worth the savings, there are other things that are definitely NOT worth the sacrifice. There are good generic products, and bad generic products. Please, use my knowledge, based on years of trial and error, and save yourself some trouble, in case you ever find yourself in the riches to rags situation, as we did.
THE BEST:
1. Instant Oatmeal: I don't eat oatmeal, but my kids love it. What's even better is that they prefer the generic brands. I haven't figured out the reason, but they really don't like Quaker Oats Instant Oatmeal. Considering that the price difference between generic oatmeal and Quaker oatmeal is over $2.00 a box, I'm not complaining.
2. Contact Solution: My husband and I both wear contacts. Once we discovered that a DOUBLE pack of Equate Multipurpose Solution is less than one box of B & L Multipurpose Solution, we have never looked back. My optometrist told me that B & L is better for your eyes, but I think she's on their payroll.
3. Cleaning Products: As Clint Eastwood said in Million Dollar Baby, "Bleach is bleach." And I don't know anyone who wants to argue with Clint Eastwood.
4. Candles: Ya'll can keep your Yankee Candles. Dollar Store candles mask the smell of baby poop as well as anything. I don't need to spend $30.00 to make my house smell like Sugar Cookies. I can do that by baking a batch for a couple of dollars.
5. Chili: You have heard it here first - GREAT VALUE (Walmart) CHILI WITH NO BEANS = BEST CHILI EVER!! I am not kidding.... spread this heavenly goodness over your hot dog, and your taste buds will thank me. I've served this at countless cookouts and my guests always beg me for the recipe. You can even mix it will melted cheese, for an amazing nacho dip. At $1.07 a can, it's as much a treat to your wallet as it is to your belly!!
THE WORST:
1. Cereal: Generic cereal is just plain awful. If you are unable to afford name brand cereal, perhaps instead of spending money on generic, you could go out to the street, gather some gravel, roll it in sugar, and pour some milk over it. The taste and texture would be about the same. Budget or not, we buy Honeycombs and Cheerios. Sure, the cost is a bit extravagant, but we feel we are saving money by not having to pay dental bills for cracked or broken teeth.
2. Cotton Swabs: If you have never cleaned your ears with generic cotton swabs, I DO NOT recommend trying them. In addition to only a thin layer of cotton protecting your tympanic membrane from the plastic stick, you risk causing permanent damage while using tweezers to remove the remnants of cotton left behind in your ear canal. If you value your hearing, trust me... Q-tips or nothing!
3. Soda: I hate any form of generic "cola." There is no substitute for Coke or Pepsi. Period.
4. Toilet Paper: Using generic toilet paper is like using 20 grit sandpaper on your most sensitive of areas. I have given birth to two children and have had hernia surgery in the last four years. I have enough trouble using the bathroom. I would face a foreclosure of my home before I'd give up my Quilted Northern.
5. Toothpaste: I'm not saying that generic toothpaste doesn't work, but it tastes like a mouthful of baking soda. If Crest or Aquafresh is not in your budget, you would be better off really saving money and using, well, a mouthful of baking soda.
There you have it. A guide to the best and worst generic products. You might agree or disagree, but these are the basic guidelines we follow at the grocery store. I could elaborate further, but it's time for lunch. And for some reason, I am really in the mood for a chili dog.
