Is money tight? Try and buy these generic items:
Inflation is no longer a secret; everything is super expensive now, and we all do what we can to survive even when money is tight. Here at The Frugal American, we’re ready to give you financial advice, tips on how to save more money on grocery bills, and most importantly, how not to feel cheap.
You don’t need us to tell you that shopping at Costco, Aldi, Lidl, or Walmart can save a lot of money if you’re sticking to a budget and, most importantly, to a grocery list. But in this article, we will tell you what you can buy generic and what you cannot without pointing out a specific generic brand and influencing your opinion.
Rice
If money is tight, rushing to the store and buying some brand rice is unnecessary. Regardless of your preference for white, brown, long grain, jasmine, basmati, or arborio rice, a less expensive generic option is always available. Examine the branded item after verifying the country of origin on the label. It usually originates from the same nation.
Plus, after boiling it and spicing it up with your favorite condiments, you won’t even care if it’s a generic product.
Flour
Do you enjoy baking for your family often? Then you probably need quite a lot of flour, so why spend an arm and a leg on a bulk of brand flour when you could easily opt for a generic one? Even generic varieties of gluten-free flour, almond meal, and cornflour are available.
Frozen fruits and veggies
You should always have frozen meals on hand since they keep well. When it comes to frozen fruits and veggies, it’s okay to buy generic products since they are just as good as their branded counterparts without the beautiful labels and packaging.
Months later, these nutrient-dense, tasty, and inexpensive, nutritious foods will still be flash-frozen at the height of their freshness. Similar to rice, you won’t notice any difference in the frozen product’s texture or flavor after it’s cooked.
Paper towels
Compared to generic alternatives, brand-name paper towels can cost a lot more and don’t offer many additional benefits. Paper towels are mostly used to absorb spills and stains, and trust me, regular towels can also be used for this purpose without even noticing a difference.
Pasta
Next time you’re heading to the grocery store looking for some spaghetti, please keep in mind this: Does spaghetti taste any different once it’s covered in sauce, whether it’s brand name or generic? Try a variety of forms and off-brand products to see which ones you truly enjoy.
Canned tomatoes
This is true for the majority of canned goods, and selecting generic varieties is a smart way to minimize costs while maintaining a well-stocked pantry.
Canned tomatoes often don’t change much from fresh ones. However, compared to crushed tomatoes, whole tomato cans are better because you can see the quality of the tomato product you’re getting. It’s just a matter of taste, so try various products and choose your favorite.
Sugar
Choose the generic brand above branded brands, whether it’s icing, raw, brown, or white. You may occasionally have to spend more than twice as much for the branded version when comparing pricing.
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But, a lot of goods are worthwhile investments both in terms of cost and brand recognition. Here are some generic products that you should typically avoid purchasing:
Electronics
When purchasing significant gadgets, going with the less expensive model rather than the name brand can save you a significant amount of money, but the quality will be compromised.
When you consider that brand-name TVs and other equipment usually have far better warranties, customer service, and support than less expensive alternatives, the additional money spent on them is well worth it.
Batteries
If you care about your electronics, then don’t buy generic batteries. Purchasing larger packages elsewhere may result in a lower cost per piece, increasing the financial waste. This is dependent on your shopping location.
Instead of purchasing little generic battery packages from dollar stores, opt to get mid-size generic battery packages from retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.
Pet food
If you love your pet, there is no way you would buy generic items for it, no matter how tight the money is. Why? Low-quality ingredients, fillers, and incomplete nutritional profiles are common in pet diets sold under retail brands and generic names.
Keeping your pet’s happiness and health for many years to come may be done by offering them only well-known brand-name meals, especially those that your vet recommends.
Are you a regular shopper at Sam’s Club? Avoid these products!
