Are Store or Discount Brands Always the Best Bang For Your Buck?

If you see the title, you may have picked up on the fact that price is only part of the equation. While we do enjoy saving money whenever we shop, we also consider purchases for their value.

I had a great conversation last week with Len about finding the best deals with store and name brands. Len has been running a fantastic series where he has a panel of family and friends test out foods like potato chips, sodas, and cereal.

While the store brands were cheaper and scored better, they weren’t winners all the time. Sometimes, the panel picked the name brands.

And that’s okay with me.

When to Splurge and When to Scrimp with Groceries

Let’s admit there are some things that we’re just picky about. The taste, feel, whatever of certain products just seem better. (Personally I haven’t found a comparable Oreo substitute.)

The problem is when you’re paying more for a product and not seeing a real benefit. That’s when you money is paying for marketing.

You may be surprised at how little difference there is between the two. Some products are made in the same facility and just get different labels or they have almost identical ingredients. Couples can save quite a bit of money if they know which ones to buy.

The only way you can find out is to test it out yourself. Start shifting some of your spending towards the generic or store brands. If you don’t like them, you can always go back. I believe most families will find that they don’t need to have everything be name brand.

Value Over Price

Besides groceries, many couples can reduce their expenses by considering how they plan using items like clothing and electronics.

Stretching a dollar means more than just looking at the purchase price. It does us no good to have to keep buy cheap clothes and gadgets if we have to constantly replace them.

We found that it can be better to pay a little more upfront rather than being drained slowly. It comes down to value over price. Let’s take buying our girls’ clothes.

With a newborn, there isn’t so much a need for pricier pieces because she hardly moves in them so they don’t wear down. They mainly get spit up on and grown out of so I don’t see the more expensive outfits being a good deal. I still buy adorable pieces, just not going to break the budget over them.

For my older daughter, I do look a little more at the quality of the clothes more carefully because I know she will be using them often.She will out grow these as well, but she when she plays, it’s outdoor kid fun so I really want those items to hold up.

Electronics are they same way. We replace our phones and gadgets like tablets when they break down or there is a considerable improvement or functionality in the new models. When do buy however, we are willing to pay more up front because we expect it to last for awhile.

Thoughts on Getting the Best Deals

That’s our take on things – I’d love to get your thoughts on how you shop. How do you find the best deals on groceries and other items? Have you’ve found any stores or brands that have consistently good deals?