Big Brands vs Own Brands

mon1o

Hi all!

So as you know, im new to being frugal. in the past attempts have failed but now as i have no choice in the matter im slowly getting my head around things! Im using up whats in my freezer and cupboards before doing a proper full shop. One thing thats always been on my mind is the difference in taste/quality between the big brands and cheap own brands? My family (who are a lot more well off than i am!) wont ever buy anything own brand, they only ever buy big brands.

However, looking at the 7meals for £10 thread and seeing fairylights shopping list for £30ish (even though its a short term solution) has made me wonder whether i might be missing a trick with own brands? I could save a fortune!

What are your thoughts? Do you/would you use own brands regularly? Or do you only turn to own brands in time of hardship?

bupster

There are some things where you notice the difference and others where you don't and to be honest, the latter is a much bigger category. I now feel a little bit sorry for the people I see with trolleys full of brands, it's mostly just daft. The few exceptions that I make now are for mayonnaise (nothing but Hellman's will do) and Marmite. And a few odd things like Jordan's cereal bars and Nakd bars, where there really isn't a non-branded equivalent that I've found. There is literally no difference between a lot of branded and non-branded stuff (eggs, milk, butter, bread, cheese, flour, fish, vegetables, etc) and I cook most things from scratch. You may find that you struggle to find, say, non-branded breakfast cereal that you like - but almost everything else you can swap, and save a huge amount of money. I now do my main shop in Aldi - it used to be Waitrose!

shebangs

..........

DebtFree2012

I am a true convert.

I only used to buy expensive brands and shake my head in shame at this as it was a pure uneducated reason. I thought Mum does so I will. Little did I think realise that she doesn't buy everything branded, cooks from scratch and only buys what she needs.

Anyway - gone are the days of buying only branded food and putting myself in more debt! I will never be like that again.

There's a thread, "what value things have you tried and liked" or suchlike - search for it - it's great for reviews on things in one liners.

I don't buy value bread but I do make my own. No value beans either as tried and don't like. So I now go on what we can afford and tastes nice - cook from scratch and don't waste.

I can't believe there was a time when I wouldn't buy value because I assumed it was rubbish.

Piquant_2

I also buy mainly own brands, I also cook from scratch. The exceptions to the rule for me are baked beans, tomato soup and coffee which are the only branded items in my trolley and they are there because I haven't found a substitute I like yet.

I used to work in marketing and a lot of money is spent by the manufacturers in advertising to make sure you are buying a brand, not the product.

After all a Nike trainer is still only a running shoe, just a lot more money. As people are buying the label rather than the product, the manufacturer can charge premium rate. Successful marketing at its best.

Piq

cyclingyorkie

A lot of the basics stuff has fewer additives in it - it can be better for you!

I use Morrisons own brand washing liquid for colours for everyday clothing - the bottle says it does 28 washes but I put less in and I must get 50-60 washes from a bottle. If something is stained it gets soaked before I wash it!


There is a lot of detailed info on this thread:-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/51379079#Comment_51379079

mon1o

thanks all of you for your replies. i like to cook from scratch and now my shifts have changed at work i can do so more often. i do buy alot of branded foods, hubby has never been that bothered but i think because of my upbringing and the fact that "everyone else does" ive fallen into the trap. i think when i next do my shopping, im going to just buy own branded/value items and just see if theres a difference in taste. ive no doubt my purse will see a benefit!

Thanks once again!

minniemaus1970

Hiya,
you could also try making your own cleaning sprays ( 1/3 vinegar, squeeze in some washing up liquid and top up with water, cleans and dis-infects!)
Aldi is great for own brands, they are really nice and the veg and fruit is very cheap too, you don't have to multibuy or come back to spend vouchers.

MM

my dislikes are Value: rice crispies, coffee tea and weetabix, and we have to have Head and shoulder shampoo otherwise we itch like mad ( I have tried cheating)

apart from that it seems all good:T

rosie383

Maybe you should try just dropping down 1 level at first. I think if you try to go from branded to smart price, you may find it too much of a difference. definitely worth looking at the own brands hunt on the 'food shopping and groceries board'.
One thing that just shows how much better smart price can be: value/ SP dark choc is 30p/ 100g and has 50% cocoa solids. Bourneville has just around 30% and costs usually over £1 for the same size bar.
I am another one who only ever buys brand name goods when they are on offer. Some things I buy value brands,others, shops' own, depending what is on offer. Depending on what it is, I sometimes decant into neutral containers so that people don't turn their noses up,but I'm getting them all trained, little by little.
Oh, my dh uses hair gel and after watching just a bit of Superscrimpers the other night, the next morning I got up to find that he had cut open his almost empty tube of hair gel to get more out. He was shocked to get about 6 more days' use out of it. I did have a new one for him which I had hidden! He was very happy to find that it worked.

mon1o

superscrimpers?? shameful to ask but.............whats superscrimpers *blushing*?

rosie383

Don't worry........ you will find you can ask anything on this forum and just find helpful people. Superscrimpers is a programme which shows you how you can save money on cooking, shopping, car stuff, sort of stuff you find on here!
It's Channel 4 maybe wed or thurs, but you can watch on 4od.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/superscrimpers-waste-not-want-not/4od