I am a big believer is using store brands whenever possible. You can save quite a lot when you buy the generic or store brand of a product in a grocery store, Walmart or Target. In fact, I actually prefer some store brands, such as the Walmart version of trail mix. Still, there are other generic brands that are pretty awful. The Giant store version of oreos tastes pretty much like stale plastic.
To help you out, I’ve created a few crib notes on when to buy generic and when not. There are three categories, actually. In my opinion, some items should always be bought generic, some should never be bought generic, and some items are maybes, depending on the store and your own tastes. These are just the guidelines that have worked for my family.
Always
All-purpose flour
Vinegar
Butter. Real butter is real butter, no matter what.
Yeast
Toaster pastries. Since my family only sees these on a rare occasion, any toaster pastry is considered a good toaster pastry.
Cereal. While the generic cereal may or may not taste exactly like the name brand, I haven’t personally found any that my family won’t enjoy.
Eggs. Unless you are looking for organic or other speciality eggs, most generics work just fine for every day use.
Salt. Salt is a chemical compound, and the regular stuff is all the same.
Baking soda
Sugar
Bread. Basic bread is basic bread to me. It doesn’t tast as good as homemade, but then again, neither does the name brand stuff.
Never
Q-tips. I just haven’t found any generic ones that measure up to my standards of softness.
Toilet paper. A good inexpensive brand is the basic version of Charmin. There are other fluffier versions. I just can’t stand the sandpaper of the generic brands, and I find we use more of the paper because it isn’t as absorbent.
Maybe
If you use it for cleaning, then any brand is fine. For actual baking, however, I prefer brands that do not contain aluminum. Most generic brands, do.
Snacks. This varies greatly according to store and to taste. You should by a small size of a generic product first, to make sure that you will enjoy it. Trader Joes’s makes a great “Oreo.”
Over the counter drugs. Most of these have to be the same by law. The difference would be if you happen to be allergic to a particular dye or flavoring that is used by a generic brand and not by a brand name. Read the labels.
Diapers. I know that some people are really picky about diapers, but honestly, the generic brands work fine. If it weren’t for people having preferences for characters and a certain fit, I would put this in the always category.
Yogurt. Most generic yogurt does better when it is the “blended” kind. The “Fruit on the bottom” kind is just too lumpy and unappealing.
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