Grocery Shopping

[DianaB]

I used to use Era but I tried Purex and I really liked it and it's cheaper. I prefer the name brand fabric softner sheets but since they cost so much I usually get the off brand. I always buy Dawn dishwashing detergent because I think that it absolutely works the best! Plastic bags I usually have some of both. Trash bags, name brand only. Toilet paper, I used to only buy Charmin but I'm not happy with the price or how quickly we go through a roll so I've switched to a store brand. It's not as soft but the rolls don't run out as quickly.

As far as vegetables and canned stuff, our store has a cheap brand and a cheaper brand. I never buy the cheaper brand because I found that I was never happy with it. A lot of things you just have to try and see how you like them.

I buy a lot of my cleaning supplies at Dollar General too.

[Tiramisu]

My must have namebrands: Tide, Camay, Aleve, Dawn, and Glad bags.

I shop dollar stores for what I can and save several dollars. I've tried several cheaper items through the years and always seem to find something wrong - Gain causes a rash, Purex didn't work well with cold water, etc.

For me it's not being picky, just "tried and true".

[Shada]

For those Dollar Store purchases you really need to know your prices. Check out how much per ounce. Then check that price against the other stores. Many times it is cheaper at the other stores. The Dollar Store usually sells smaller bottles of stuff. Looks like a good deal, but when checked out, its really not. Of course this method is used with name brand products found everywhere.

I use Kroger brand tall kitchen trash bags. Those got a high rating with Consumer Reports. They are cheaper, plus I only buy when on sale, or packages that give 20percent more at one price. They are very strong.. never have had a problem. Then I changed my trash service for bags only. I buy my bags for $1.50 a bag. Large bags! I now only put out one bag every 3 weeks or so.. I can put a lot into one of those bags! On top of that I pay $5.00 per month for trash service. I recycle everything I can. Every little bit helps.

Check out the prices!!!! We assume larger amounts are cheaper.. not so many times.

TP paper.. buy double rolls only. Paper towels.. those are better deal buying large packs instead of single packs.
I know people that buy all their paper products at Sams. They assume they are a better deal. Not so.
Again.. check your prices! Write prices down and keep with you so you can compare.

[2tiredmom]

Janet,

I use Era also and Downey but I don't buy it unless it's on sale. Normally it goes on sale at Meijer and I can get it for 2 for 5. Downey is cheaper at walmart and I always use a coupon for it also. I don't like any other products. So when it goes on sale i really stock up. I mean major stock up 10 or more at a time on the Era.
I just don't like anything else. I can't see buying Tide. It costs way to much.

[gja1000]

Just one word of caution about generic medications. First off, I use them whenever possible, so I am not speaking out against them. However, being a nurse I have seen one problem with a few generics (please don't ask me how....). It is true the strength and integrity of the medication are exactly the same. What may be different is the process for making the pill, and sometimes generics do not dissolve as well. Thus, sometimes generics come out just the same as they go in - visualize looking in the toilet and seeing the whole pill in a BM. When this happens, you have gotten no benefit from the medication.

This happens mostly in older people (80's and above) because older persons have less digestive juices and thus, the pills do not dissolve as well. So, if you change to generics and think it is not working as well, this may be why. You can ask your doctor if you can crush the pill prior to taking it. Please do ask though, as some pills should not be crushed, e.g., time-released or long acting pills.

It can happen to people of any age - but is most common in elders.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Just one word of caution about generic medications. First off, I use them whenever possible, so I am not speaking out against them. However, being a nurse I have seen one problem with a few generics (please don't ask me how....). It is true the strength and integrity of the medication are exactly the same. What may be different is the process for making the pill, and sometimes generics do not dissolve as well. Thus, sometimes generics come out just the same as they go in - visualize looking in the toilet and seeing the whole pill in a BM. When this happens, you have gotten no benefit from the medication.

This happens mostly in older people (80's and above) because older persons have less digestive juices and thus, the pills do not dissolve as well. So, if you change to generics and think it is not working as well, this may be why. You can ask your doctor if you can crush the pill prior to taking it. Please do ask though, as some pills should not be crushed, e.g., time-released or long acting pills.

It can happen to people of any age - but is most common in elders.

Gayle, thank you for such great advice. I had no idea about any of the information you shared. They, Drs., pharmacys, whoever, should tell everyone this information.

[Tink]

Instead of all the expensive cleaning supplies, I use a lot of generic bleach around here. I have some in a spray bottle for general cleaning, and use it for pretty much everything in the bathroom and kitchen. I buy scented ones so the smell is nice and what cleans better than bleach? If I want a piny smell I just add a bit of tea tree oil.