Comments on: Tip #17: Buy generic for the stuff you don’t care about

By: Get Rich Focusing On The Big And The Small « Eliminate The Muda!

Get Rich Focusing On The Big And The Small « Eliminate The Muda! — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:07:52 +0000

[...] me, Ramit undermines his own “anti-frugal” position when he gives suggestions such as Buy Generic For Stuff You Don’t Care About and Turn Your Thermostat Down 3 Degrees. Both great suggestions and both great examples of being [...]

By: » Learning to be rich, Day 12-20 schuss.net

» Learning to be rich, Day 12-20 schuss.net — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:02:56 +0000

[...] 17: Buy generics when it doesn’t matter, name-brand when it does. Preaching to the choir here, Ramit, buddy. I used store-brand organic peanut butter to make my [...]

By: Kristoffer

Kristoffer — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:03:46 +0000

I switched to generics and my kids of course hated almost everything I bought – mainly cereals, ice creams, cookies, crackers, etc. I ended up buying the name brand one more time and saved the box/container. Then I got the generic brand again and re-filled the name brand box with the generic. Sounds like a hassle but I wanted to prove a point to myself and them. Not one of them complained or made comments about it not tasting the same when they were eating the generic brand item out of the name brand box.

By: Meri

Meri — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:31:22 +0000

My husband is way into Kraft Singles – I think they are a total rip-off – VERy expensive for fake cheese with less nutrition than real cheese – my kids like cheddar! Anyway, because they are fake,they last forever, adn the DO go on sale – instead of $649 (!!!) for 20 singles, you can find them once a month in my supermarket at 2 for $5. SO I keep an eye out for that and then I stock up. We live in NYC, so if the big one hitsx, those things will keep unrefrigerated for months, I figure.

Another item to buy when on sale is bread – sandwich bread has gone up a LOT and most non-cooks dont realize that bread and all baked good FREEZE very well – virtually no damage. I buy 2 loaves or 3 when on sale (100% whole wheat – more FOOD in there – you can get used to it in 2 weeks) and then I freeze a loaf – my kids eat sandwiches every day, so I usea loaf a week – this saves me $7 -$9 per month.

Same with ice cream – I only buy the premium Ben and Jerry’s when it’s 2 for $5, which is often.

And I buy GENERIC otc drugs – advil, benadryl, children’s motrin, etc- I know several doctors and that’s what they buy, that’s what they give at hospitals.

By: sola

sola — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:03:23 +0000

A great tip for those of you that are suckers for good marketing campaigns. My “other half” is one of those suckers, and develops a hankering for whatever he sees on a commercial… I have been utilizing this technique for years, but a good reminder is important.
In addition to buying generic foods & vitamins, ever thought about buying generic toiletries, like tampons or shave gel?? Sounds tough to some, but i’ve found there is little or no difference, and the amount saved makes up for the difference.
In terms of clothing, I think i dress quite well, but I make a point of not purchasing anything “designer” Why should I pay a premium for an article of clothing made in China in the same factory where a similar article is made that retails for $5.99??? I shop at cute little boutiques where nothing is over $50 and I never spend more than $20 on a fancy top or dress. I work in the entertainment industry and do a lot of red carpet events, and am always being complimented. Also, ROSS is my best kept secret. It takes a bit of time, but the hunt is well worth it. Happy hunting folks!

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:55:39 +0000

I’m all for buying generic stuff, but don’t EVER compare generic Cheerios to real Cheerios. I buy generic Raisin Bran and Rice Krispies, but generic Cheerios suck. I’ll spend the $5 a box for the real thing. Actually, no I won’t. I just won’t buy them at all.

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:00:47 +0000

I love this one: I’ve been doing it for years with almost everything in the grocery store and OTC medications. I think only about twice has the name brand been significantly different (Mac & Cheese I think – strange!)

The odd times I’ve been in discussions about this the push back I’ve got has really amazed me. Some people are convinced, for example, that OTC brand pain-relievers are always better than store brand. I suppose if you believe it to be so, that’s what you’ll get.

Only thing I quibble with: if you are going to buy vitamins are all, search a reliable brand. Most grocery and pharmacy brands are dubious quality at best. I’ve found Vitamin Shoppe to have a great selection – and 8 out of 10 times *their* generic brand is excellent.

By: MzScarlett

MzScarlett — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:04:35 +0000

I buy Levi’s 501’s mint conditon at thrift stores for $3 & $4 for grandkids; get nice shirts (many brand new 99 cents); I have a recipe for make your own dog food & would do that if I have a dog rather than purchase ANY kind of “dog” food available on the market if you truly care about your pets. Yes, it takes time & effort but if you truly loved your pet it is worth it, just like good home cooking is far better for us humans! I do buy generic things like chocolate chips $1.19 a package; but belong to group that buys health food & get superb prices like lb of premium cinnamon etc for $2.35; look for the items on sale that month, & get far better quality for less than you get in stores. Ex: bulk cocoa superb quality $16 for 5 lbs; inferior in store on sale $3 for 8 oz; common sense isn’t so common anymore!

By: Karen K

Karen K — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:58:13 +0000

Jess, it may have been the coating on the generic meds that you were allergic too. This appears to be a known problem.

Ramit, great job on the inadvertent flamewar! You got everyone really thinking about this one.

I am also so glad to see so many people in agreement on how to treat a pet.

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:31:38 +0000

You mention getting generic brand named prescription medicines here too.

I often hear this suggested (mostly by the pharmacist), and can understand why… “It has the same active ingredient…” Blah Blah Blah.

However, both my girlfriend and I have been stung by buying generic brands. Sure, the active ingredient is the same, but the other stuff they put around it differs wildly – She had a massive allergic reaction (hives, etc) to generic antibiotics (making the origin condition worse, too!) – I’ve had my air-ways close up from a reaction to stuff they put in generic pain-killers (the strong ones you can only get from the pharmacy).

Neither of us have allergies to any particular drug that we know of, and the doctors at the emergency room couldn’t figure it out. Which leads me to believe that even if you can live with taking the generic medicines, the quality is not worth the risk – your health should come before money always.