What's Just Not Worth Scrimping On?

Mrs_Ryan

Good thread! Having lived on value stuff for years when at uni there isnt much I wont eat. However I have to have caffeine free Diet Coke, I cant drink conventional stuff as I drink gallons and the caffeine makes my heart race. I've never seen the caffeine free stuff in any own brand but wouldnt drink it anyway..!
Also deodorant and washing detergent. I have very sensitive skin and suffer badly with psoriasis under my arms so I can only use certain deodorants - used to use Nivea Pearl Beauty but I tried Soft and Gentle when it was on offer and that was fine. Certainly couldnt use the cheap stuff and some reason I react badly to Sure as well... washing detergent is Tesco colour capsules.. again because it doesnt irritate my skin.

plzhelpmesave!

black bin bags!!!

nightmare buyinh cheap ones which rip as u r pulling the bag out of the bin.....

neverlearn

Fab thread.........coffee just has to be nescafe' Gold Blend. I can do without a lot, if I have my coffee to keep me going.

:money:

Jules28

We buy value range for as much as possible but some things we have tried and ended up going back to our usual branded ones. We do, however, buy value toilet roll and my OH will happily drink Tesco coke.

But here's the list of things we won't compromise on: diet irn bru (I can't go anything where bru is spelt as 'brew' lol), cornflakes/rice krispies (tho our 4 year old loves the value 'wheatabix'), hellman's mayonnaise, heinz tomato ketchup, heinz tomato soup.

76rosie

To all that do not know about sausages.

The rule is the cheaper the sausage, the cheaper the "meat" they put in them.

Also look at the wording of the ingredients on the back of the packet. If water is the first ingredient on the packet, it has the most of that in it.

If you want a good sausage, you have to pay for it. I suggest an all pork sausage. It will have pork at the top of the ingredient list. If it says meat it may mean chicken and I don't mean breast.

hope this helps.

If you wonder how I know this i have worked with sausages for many years.

Hales82

This is a great thread and got me thinking about what we're not willing to compromise on.

Washing up liquid has to be Fairy, anything else you end up using more of. We have downgraded our dishwasher tablets and not noticed any difference. Although we are using the d/w less to save on the electricity bill.

Washing powder is branded, but I buy whatever brand is on offer/in Home Bargains so chop and change a lot. Same with shampoo & conditioner.

Coke has to be either diet coke or pepsi. Again whatever is on offer.

Tea must be Twinings, H is not willing to compromise on this. Coffee is Douwe Egberts instant but I don't drink much so a jar lasts ages.

I still like Walkers crisps, but will only buy them on offer. We've downgraded our biscuits and noticed no difference whatsoever. Ketchup must be Heinz but am not bothered with mayo.

We don't eat value meat so make normal supermarket brands go further. Chilli/spag bol is really bulked out for 500g beef will do 3+ teas. A roast chicken will do 2 teas plus sandwiches etc.

We do still spend a lot on food shopping that I'm sure I could slash if I really wanted to. Although we don't go out much so this is our treat really.

fracturedsun

Some of mine:
Ketchup and Pickle have to be the branded version, I can't stand the taste of the others.
Cereals - The own brands just don't tast the same
Shoes - Not to the point of spending £100 of pounds or anything, but for awhile I tried buying the really cheap £10 or less brands and they would just fall apart on me. A mid range pair worked out much cheaper in the long run.
Washing powder etc - Actually my work gets us the real stuff really cheap so it's cheaper to buy the expensive brands anyway.
Shampoo/conditioner - It makes such a difference, the cheap version just don't work properly on my hair - I stock up when I see a good offer.

louisewh123

For me:

OPI Nail Varnish
Bold Washing Powder ( have tried all supermarket own etc and they just don't cut it )
Napisan ( very sweaty person so keeps clothes clean - nothing compares )
Diet Coke ( has to be in a can )

For me it isn't just about the cheapest but what is the best value. Someone told me the other week if you buy cheap you end up buying twice.

For OH:

Everything! lol He is terrible!

needingaccountability

gilligansyle wrote: »

As for cheap mince and sausages, no. Just wouldn't do it. Would do without meat. I would prefer to have it just occasionally and buy quality from local butcher.

Me too, forgot to mention meat. Have a wonderful little butcher and would rather have a veggie meal than low quality meat.

O.W.E.I

The vegan-friendly flavoured Kettle chips and Tyrrell's crisps.

I find other brands just taste like chemical cardboard since I discovered these.:eek: