What should i always buy generic

Check the labels because if you do like one name brand of canned tomatoes and they have added salt and oregano and the store brand does not. You are going to notice a difference. Uh-oh, your browser is out of date. We recommend this safe site for a quick update.

Medicine Quick! Makeup Brand-name makeup is something I used to pay top dollar for, and then I discovered the wonderful truth: most designer makeup styles have drugstore equivalents that work exactly the same and cost a fraction of the price.

Cleaning Products Bleach is bleach, my friends. Razors Brand-name razors, like Gilette and Schick, can end up costing you more than double the cost of generic razors. Batteries I spoke with some of our electronics deal editors about this one and they all agreed that there is absolutely no reason to pay more for name-brand batteries. Mattresses Mattress shopping has come a long way in the past five years.

Wine While we were discussing some of our favorite generic products, wine was most definitely included in the conversation. Sunscreen Over-the-counter sunscreens and any products that claim to provide broad-spectrum SPF protection are regulated as sunscreen drug products by the FDA. Paper Products and Food Storage This, to me, is the most controversial generic vs. Sound off in the comments! In one taste test by Thrillist , reporters found that most store-brand and generic cereals were more flavorful and contained better ingredients than their name-brand competitors.

While fresh-squeezed orange juice typically scores highest on consumer taste tests, store brands, such as Whole Foods' , are also crowd-pleasers, according to The Kitchn. Since store-brand orange juices often contain the same ingredients as their name brand counterparts, it's a no-brainer that you'll want to pick up the cheaper option.

According to a Consumer Reports taste test , Whole Foods and Trader Joe's have quality and inexpensive whole grain pasta compared to other name brand options. Pick them up for a pasta night that's as low-cost as it is delicious. Unlike other fresh produce—which you should always purchase fresh and unpackaged—precut salad mix is worth considering.

And if you decide to buy it, it's always less expensive, and just as healthy and delicious, to choose the generic variety, reported Business Insider.

Point taken. Though the USA Today acknowledges that generic batteries don't last as long as their name-brand counterparts, the steeply discounted prices make them worth it, since you'll still be saving enough money in the end.

To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to follow us on Instagram! All Rights Reserved. Open side menu button. Smarter Living. Save money without compromising quality. By Ashley Moor January 9, Ashley hails from Dayton, Ohio, and has more than six years of experience in print and digital media. Read more. Read This Next. Big impact. Bottled water is an environmental nightmare, regardless of the price or origin.

You'll save more money with a faucet filter or jug for home use, and investing in some sturdy, nonplastic water bottles can provide hydration on the go for years. When children watch television advertising for high-sugar cereals, they're more likely to ask for — and eat — the brands that are advertised, according to a study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Although this comes as little surprise to most parents, the study goes on to make a connection between the eating habits young children make and their likelihood to become overweight as they age.

Their brand loyalty is being developed during their most formative years. Of course, all that advertising and fun packaging takes its toll at the register: Generics in this category, which often are bagged rather than boxed, generally cost about 40 percent less than their brand name counterparts. Making the switch to generic gives you an opportunity to discuss things like branding, advertising and marketing with your child, and can lead to discussions about being a smarter consumer.

The FDA requires the same standards of production, ingredients and storage for generic versions of staples like flour, sugar, salt and spices. Obscure details of production aside, it's almost impossible to find a difference beyond labeling for these products. Salt , for example, is a simple chemical compound.

Beyond the usual added iodine, there isn't much variation from the recipe between store brand, generic or name brand. However, the differences in price can be astounding: An ounce of name-brand oregano, for example, can sell for almost four times as much as the generic, and the only difference is the name on the label. Likewise, produce and precut salad mix are two more categories where corporate origin has little to do with quality or freshness.

In fact, it's a good idea to ignore those little brand-name stickers altogether and go with your eyes and nose. Otherwise, you'll end up paying for the sticker, with no difference in quality at all.

A lot of advertising dollars go into making us think the newest floor cleaner, bleach detergent or dust repellent is going to start a cleaning revolution in our homes. We'll never believe how easy it is to keep a clean house, now that we have Product X! And it's possible.

Truly innovative products do comes along now and then. But the majority of the cleaning products aren't really that different from each other, which means that generic products may serve you well. Bleach, detergents and oven cleaners all come in generic versions, and this can mean saving a dollar or more every time you buy a cleaning product.

If you're really feeling thrifty, you could skip the household-cleaner aisle altogether and look into alternative methods of making your own simple cleaning solutions : Most household tasks can be accomplished with vinegar, baking soda and a little time and effort. Ready to tackle spring cleaning? Do it this year in an eco-friendly way. We'll tell you how to make simple, green changes to your spring-cleaning habits and how they can make big differences to your health, the health of the planet and your wallet.

When you invest in a computer or home theater system, you want to make sure you're getting the best quality equipment. Not necessarily. Cheaper cables will conduct electrons every bit as easily and efficiently as more expensive wires. Now if you're in the market for batteries, it does pay to do a little research. Brand-name batteries tend to last longer than batteries that have a low price point. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear.

These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products. Eating a bowl of cereal each morning is a quick and cheap way to make sure you and the kids have breakfast before dashing out the door. For every brand name of cereal out there — Cheerios, Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms — there is almost always a generic version right next to it on the shelf with a similar name. According to the blog Taste of Home, most generic cereals can be swapped out for their more expensive name brand counterparts with little to no difference in taste.

Depending on how much cereal your household goes through in a month, switching to generic could add up to serious savings. Cooking at home instead of always eating out is a great way to save money.

Check out the best accounts to help you save money and reach your financial goals! So, it certainly makes sense to buy the brand name of baby food and some other baby products — but not everything you buy for your babies is worth the brand-name price.

Because babies go through so many diapers each day, the generic brand will do just fine and save you a pretty penny. Diapers are only being used for a short period of time and will be thrown away immediately anyway. You probably spend more money on medications than you should. Instead of throwing money away , prescription medications are one of the best items to buy generic. Generic does not mean inferior, just less expensive. Generic drugs go through the same level of testing and formulation as do brand name drugs, according to Business Insider.

According to Dr. Niteesh K. On the other hand, there are many products that are worth the brand name — and the price.