What things can't you compromise on?

missychrissy

I don't like Heinz tomato sauce. I think the Tesco one tastes much better and is cheaper.

I find Persil washing up liquid goes further and is better than Fairy so I stock up when on offer.

I agree with you all on 'cheap' bin liners but I find the Aldi ones are great.

I couln't compromise on 'cheap' wine so I now make my own - made 16 galls of elderberry in autumn costing 16p per bottle. I do a good white using apple and grape juice costing approx 32p per bottle.

I have to have a full bodied mature cheddar cheese but I buy when on offer and then grate it and keep it in the freezer. Lasts much longer and goes futher.

NJW69

About the only thing that I won't budge on is diet coke. Not bothered if its Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi but won't get own brand as it's horrible. Also don't buy cheap mince or sausage etc. Buy cheaper cuts of meat but these are not processed and when slow cooked break down the higher fat content.

lisawood78

Hmm, intersting how many itmes Heinz gets mentioned on this thread.
And here it is again..

I only eat Heinz baked beans, and am allergic to all others I have tried so far. The worst are KFC beans, they give me blisters in my mouth (and not because of the boiling temperature!)
I would like to buy cheaper beans but can't :-(

Loadsabob

Reverbe wrote: »

How interesting Loadsa. I was given a load of free Clipper tea bags and I find them worse than Tescos Value ones .. in fact I'd say they were the worst teabags Id ever had - they tasted like stale sweepings... If I still have them I will send mine to you if you like.

It's funny how tea tastes different to different people in different places and using different water. I originally bought Clipper years ago because it was Fair Trade. When my Tesco stopped doing it I switched to Tea Direct, but didn't enjoy it as much. Clipper at home tastes perfect to me, yet I have it in the office and there I don't enjoy it at all - different town, different water. I can't stand Typhoo - the 'orange' tea, as I think of it. Tastes like envelope backing to me! But PG Tips tastes fine to me. And my boss got me onto Yorkshire Tea, which I've bought several times and really enjoyed. Don't they change the blend to suit the water in the area they're sending it to? Or is that just a myth?...

amandada

Children's shoes-some clothes may come from ebay, but it's Start-Rite on their feet!

Loo roll-I'm not brand loyal but it has to be soft!

Kenco coffee

Hellman's light mayo

Decent hair conditioner-I have waist lenght highlighted hair so I need to use a good conditioner

I think that's about all really, I've become a lot less "brand loyal" over the last couple of years, and have found some own brands which we prefer over the big brands!

debtdesperado

Interesting! I don't think there is anything where I wouldn't buy the cheaper version.... have gradually managed to transition all my tastes to the cheaper brands, so am happy with value instant coffee, cheap washing powder (just use less and you won't itch!), bargain loo roll...

Actually, the only thing I do pay a lot for is getting my hair cut and coloured - my theory is that when you live in a big city the best stylists gravitate to the best salons for the best salaries and tips, whereas if you live somewhere a bit more remote you have much more chance of getting a talented stylist for a great price because there are fewer salons - you definitely get what you pay for (although having said that, if I am really broke I just get my mum to trim it for free and tie it back in a pony tail for the rest of the month until I can afford to get it done properly).

Oh and the other thing that I don't scrimp on is buying really good quality bedding - every night I get into bed and really appreciate being all lovely and cosy under my down duvet and cotton percale sheets! Although I only have two sets (one on the bed, one clean in the cupboard) and wait for it to go into the sales before I buy any... the fact it's a 'bargain' makes me appreciate it all the more!

Bargain_Rzl

debtdesperado wrote: »

Oh and the other thing that I don't scrimp on is buying really good quality bedding - every night I get into bed and really appreciate being all lovely and cosy under my down duvet and cotton percale sheets! Although I only have two sets (one on the bed, one clean in the cupboard) and wait for it to go into the sales before I buy any... the fact it's a 'bargain' makes me appreciate it all the more!

I have two words of advice for you - TK Maxx. They have loads of good-quality branded bedding for the price you'd pay for the cheap stuff elsewhere. As an example, I have a standard-size double bed and my bedding from TK Maxx tends to be £7.99 for a plain cotton percale fitted sheet, £14.99-£19.99 for a duvet cover & pair of matching pillowcases, and I can't remember how much for a pair of plain cotton percale pillowcases - about a fiver?

Reverbe

Loadsa I dont think they do change it but Yorkshire do have a hard water variety. Havent tried it as Yorkshire tea is another one I find yukky...

thistledome

missychrissy wrote: »

I don't like Heinz tomato sauce. I think the Tesco one tastes much better and is cheaper.

I thought I was the only one who doesn't like Heinz tomato ketchup! Everybody seems to love the stuff and I can't stand it. Has to be Daddies for me. (Though I rarely eat it now, as I'm avoiding sugar).

Snow_White_5

Really interesting thread.

Being skint as at the moment, there's hardly anything I wouldn't try the cheaper version of, except clothes and shoes. I prefer to buy well-made clothes that will last more than a few washes (used to shop in H&M but got tired of having to throw away/ return items to the shop that had gone bobbly/baggy/discoloured after the first wash). I find Oasis clothes are generally really long-lasting and keep their shape, and they're usually quite classic compared to other High Street shops so don't go out of fashion as quickly.

I'll spend a lot on coats (or get posh ones from charity shops) as they last for years, and I generally only buy expensive shoes made of nice leather because my feet hate anything else.

My sister is still wearing a 70s leather jacket I got from a charity shop for 30 quid 10 years ago, whereas all our cheap stuff from back then has not lasted .