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Buying Generic: The Top 4 Products you Should Never Buy Name Brand

Blog | October 25th, 2011

When money is tight, one of the easiest and most simple ways to significantly cut down costs is to start buying generic products in place of name-brand products.  For years, generic goods have had a certain stigma to them. Many people look at generic items as a lesser version of name-brand items. When in reality, Government agencies are required to regulate generic products. These agencies ensure that Generic goods meet the same requirements and guidelines, and contain the same active ingredients as name-brand products.

With that said, we came up with a list of the top 5 products we believe you should always be buying generic.

1.     Cleaning Products: We all know how buying name brand cleaning supplies can add up quickly. Switching to generic cleaning supplies can save you a great deal of money. These products will do the exact same job, for half the price. Remember, with name brand cleaning supplies you are essentially paying 75 % of that cost for the name on the label, so next time grab the generic version. Just be sure to compare the ingredients between the generic and name brand product to ensure that you are buying the same thing.

2.     Over-the-counter medications and Pain Relievers: The Food and Drug Administration requires that each generic medication and pain reliever must contain exactly the same active ingredients as the original name-brand product that it imitates. Tylenol, for example, contains the pain relieving active ingredient “acetaminophen” and any generic pain reliever will also contain acetaminophen.

3.     Bottled Water: Filtered water is filtered water. Although I am advising to make the switch from name brand to generic bottled water, an even better (economical and environmentally conscious) decision would be to invest in either a reusable water bottle, or a water filter. 

4.     Spices: Think about this one. Can you really tell the difference between name brand salt versus generic salt? I’m guessing you can’t. Skip out on overpriced name-brand spices and accept the fact that spices are spices!

      Although most generic products genuinely are great deals, beware that many generic foods such as sodas and sauces do taste somewhat different from the name brand product that they are imitating. With these types of goods, be sure to try them out before deciding to buy in bulk. With many products, deciding whether or not to buy generic ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you do choose to stay name brand loyal, try using deals and coupons to save some extra money. Finally, remember that the name brand items placed on eye-level shelves in the grocery store are the same brands that paid more for that shelf space. Don’t hesitate to look towards the bottom shelves in the aisles; some of the greatest deals are out of your initial eye-level view.