Brand Names, Store Brands, and Coupons!

Whether you're the shopper or the user, what's your opinion on Brand Name items vs. Store Brand (ie. 's "Market Pantry" and "Up&Up")?  

Do you use coupons? I had never clipped a coupon before having kids, but quickly realized how expensive pretty much, everything is, and feel guilty that I didn't start using coupons earlier!

Now I love finding both a manufacturer and a store coupon.

I only clip what I find in the Sunday Star Tribune newspaper though. I don't go online and print from websites, but admire those who take the extra time to do that too.

I also did not realize that stores have their own brand, until my husband starting adding those store-brand items to our shopping cart when we got married 5 years ago. I believe I have tested most everyday items, and food too, in both the brand names and store brands, and have my favorites.

Some people say they're all the same, and they're even manufactured in the same facility, but some things are still better when they cost more!

I can taste the difference in store brand cereals, ie. less sugar/sweetness in the cereals, less cheesy-flavor in Macaroni & Cheese, fake chocolate (haha) in brownies, etc. I'm OK with milk, bread, fruit snacks, pasta and meat in most store brands though. Items such as garbage bags, sandwich bags, and paper towels, store brands work great.

Toilet paper—we actually "have to" buy brand name Charmin for at our business (our dance studio) because the Target brand's roll is narrower and falls out of our dispenser! A specific item—Cascade dishwasher detergent—for sure worth the extra money.

Clothing—we buy pretty much any brand for our kids (ages 1 and 2 1/2) as long as it's soft and washable. They outgrow things too fast to wear-out anyway. Speaking of kids... diapers!

Ahh, well, we used Pampers and Huggies for the first year of both kids, but our oldest (2 1/2) got switched to Target diapers. We tried switching our 1 year old to Target brand to save money, but their sizes looked the exact same, and I got them confused whose diapers were whose.

Just recently, Target added the "size" printed on the diapers (they read my mind!) so maybe we can switch our 2nd baby to the store brand and save money on her now too.

What a subject, huh?! I would love to hear what items you all buy by Brand Name versus Store Brands.