Most of us go shopping each week and shove the same things in our basket each time with little variation, but what if we stop and think about what we’re buying in terms of the brand name on it. Is it reeeeally worth paying more for an item just because it has a popular name written on it, or says that it’s extra special?
Most supermarkets have at least three different levels of their own brand products, as well as selling items made by the big brand names like birdseye, nestle, etc. So unless all you’re buying is the cheapest value items there’s usually an alternative that’s cheaper. Sometimes we can try these things and find them perfectly acceptable, and other times we’ll think hmm maybe not, and what works for me won’t necessarily work for you, so it’s no good me telling you which items I like that are cheap. However, most people don’t notice the difference on some items as they’re not generally used alone. By this I mean things like Vinegar where you don’t often use it on it’s own, so any difference in flavour is less noticeable.
Will the food taste as nice? Will the shower gel last as long? The only way really to find this out is to try the item and test it for yourself. For me personally, some things I’ve tried with trepidation and been very pleasantly surprised, others I think no way will I notice the difference, and yet when I try it, I do notice a difference and decide not to buy the cheaper version again.
One way to find out is to try one lower priced lower branded item each week. Some you may stick to, some not, but I bet you’ll find a few that you don’t mind. Another thing you can do is look online at forums, and discuss it with others who are thinking along similar lines. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a total stranger this way than to our friends after all if you’re just user123 then no one knows YOU so it’s not so embarrassing.
Keep a note of what you think, maybe keep a few shopping lists or receipts too so you can look back after 3 months and see how much you’re saving on average by changing down. The saving can be quite surprising. A Branded pack of sausages can cost you around £2, but some supermarkets have sausages that taste almost as good for less than half that value.
Tags: bargains, brands, Savings, shop smart, shopping