Will your family eat generic brands?
By mamacathie
@mamacathie (3928)
United States
May 3, 2008 9:02am CST
Well, my hubby didn't used to like the generic brands at all but the way prices have gotten, he has no choice now. I have had to slip the generic into the brand packaging LOL to try to fool. Most of the time, it didn't work! But he is trying to be very kind at accepting the switch to generic as often as I can.
This will cut back on spending if we can make the switch.
What about your family? Do they even think there is a difference between the generic and the brand name foods?
16 people like this
59 responses
@brimia (6581)
• United States
3 May 08
My family eats lots of generic items...cereal, oatmeal, frozen veggies, rice, chips & salsa...many generic foods taste fine to me and are pretty much the same as brand name. There are some exceptions but I think with most of them you're just paying for the name/packaging.
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
I agree with you totally. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
3 May 08
Some things we use generic brands but others no. I can't stand generic macaroni and cheese there is absolutely no taste to it and generic toliet paper is as hard as sandpaper. But otherwise I do use alot of generic products.
4 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
I totally agree with you on the toilet paper.Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@compumom (738)
• United States
3 May 08
We always try the generic brand. Sometimes its better and other times not. Since I've always bought generic, my family really doesn't mind, just as long as the food tastes good.
My kids are learning the value of a dollar, so they also compare prices and quality to see if its a good buy.
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
That is great how you are teaching your kids too. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@cajundharma (641)
• United States
3 May 08
We eat a mix of generic and brand name foods. There are some things that the generics just aren't good; macaroni and cheese is one thing that comes to mind. I always get generic oatmeal, pasta, the cheapest brands of sugar and flour. I do have to admit that the kids are right, and the generic Cocoa Puffs are not as good as the real ones, but it's close enough when you're having a sugar craving.
4 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
Yes, I agree. The pasta, oatmeal, sugar, flour, meal, etc. Those I do not even give a thought to I just get cheapest which is generic unless one brand is on sale and I have good coupons to make it cheaper. Thanks for the post.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 May 08
We have been using generic brands all along. In some cases we find the generic to be better than the name brand. However there are certain things we just have to buy name brand, regardless of cost.
Soda is one, nobody can ever duplicate the taste of mountain dew. I used to drink Walmart's generic version which I thought was pretty close, but once I had a real Mountain Dew again, I couldn't switch back.
Dish soap: generics just don't last as long as Dawn.
Ketchup: major taste difference
For the things I have to buy name brand, I'll usually shop at a wholesale club and buy it in bulk so it is cheaper. However my wholesale club began making their own generic items, so I buy that sometimes too.
My wholesale club has a generic baby formula. It costs $20 for 50 oz. Name brand formula costs about a dollar an ounce here, so that's about a $30 savings! I have used it for both my younger children, and they do just fine on it.
3 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
Thanks for your post. Miracle Whip is the biggest problem around here. I get in trouble LOL when I try the generic brands.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
4 May 08
I will never buy anything but Miracle Whip Light. The generic ones just can't come close to their taste.
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
4 May 08
Before I quit drinking pop the beginnning of the year I wouldn't drink anything but Mountain Dew I tried the generic and it just never measured up. It is a unique tate that has yet to be duplicated exactly. I only buy Dawn dish soap because to by the other generic is a waste of money if you keep having to use more and more to get the job done when all it takes is a good squeeze of Dawn to do it and more. The cheapest I will go on toilet paper is Soft-n-Gentle because I haven't found one that will hold up as good that is as cheap. Mircle Whip I tried to go cheap for Easter by using a off brand of the stores and got chewed out for it. Because everything didn't taste as good as wen I used the Mircle Whip but with the price fo things going up we are either going ot have to aquire a taste for the less tasty or tighten out belts alot by buying less food. When I buy the Macaroni and cheese I always will add a slice or two of cheese to make it cheesier and taste better then buying the more expensive costly brands that are extra cheesy. I am always adding extra things to stuff for a better taste.
1 person likes this
@ashly1979 (1376)
• United States
3 May 08
there are nothing worng with the generic brands LOL they taste the same as the name band my mom always like the new brand foods the way food go up and gas i dont know what we are going to do
3 people like this
@ashly1979 (1376)
• United States
3 May 08
i dont like the chesee that are not name band LOL
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
3 May 08
A long time ago, we went to a seminar (for saving money) during which we participated in a taste test. Several duplicate bowls of food were set out, including green beans and fruit cocktail, and we were asked which one tasted best. The reason I remember green beans and fruit cocktail was that there was a definite difference in flavor - and both times, generic was the one we liked best! That convinced me, although I'd been buying partly generic for some time. There are a very few things I buy that's brand name now.
3 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
Thanks so much for the post. I, too, think some generic foods have better tastes.
1 person likes this
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
3 May 08
hi mama! i don't mind at all. i am not very brand conscious, be it with food or clothing or even my car. i would buy anything that i like to eat or wear or use anything that i like be they branded or generic. and this goes true, even when the prices are high or low. that is just my lifestyle.
good day!
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
I like your style! Especially in clothing. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
3 May 08
I have to say it depends on what it is. For soups- I say no way! I'm a Campbell girl 
but for canned vegetables- sure why not. I also won't switch off for laundry soap or fabric softener.
I buy bread, milk, and other items at our generic store- but other things I won't. I also won't eat generic cereal. It just does not taste the same.
but for canned vegetables- sure why not. I also won't switch off for laundry soap or fabric softener.
I buy bread, milk, and other items at our generic store- but other things I won't. I also won't eat generic cereal. It just does not taste the same.@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
My hubby was a Campell's guy until I tried the Kroger brand on him and wow!!!! he fell in love with it. That was great! Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
3 May 08
Yes, we do eat generic brands. The price difference is enough to convince us to buy generic brands. There is quite difference in quality and taste between the two brands. You do expect it though. As long the generic brand doesn't make you ill, we can accept it.
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
That's the way we have to look at it. We have to save money! Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@shymurl (2765)
• United States
3 May 08
We usually always buy generic brands. There really isn't much of a taste difference. My family is okay with it. I remember when I was younger my mom didn't like buying generic brands. But when things got tight, she really didn't have a choice. Now all she does is buy generic brands.
3 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
I also buy the generic in all the brands that I possibly can. I do not buy generic in laundry detergent tho. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@carolluvyou (460)
• United States
8 May 08
yes just certain things though these kids of mine is picky and i am a little i dont like generic mayo
2 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
8 May 08
It really makes it hard if the kids or hubby are picky! I agree we don't eat much mayo that is generic. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@Melehan (4)
• United States
3 May 08
My family will eat generic brands, yes. I often find no difference between the generic brand of a product and the name-brand.
***I just want to point one thing out that made me chuckle.
I'm a CranGrape Juice-aholic. When I go to the grocery store to get Ocean Spray's CranGrape, right next to it I see the same product... but the brand name is... Bay Mist. Wow. Please. You could at least TRY to be creative.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
6 May 08
I think there is a difference in some, but not all, of them. It's hard to figure out which without trying both, though. My husband does our grocery shopping, and he is very budget conscious, so he will buy generic brand, unless the regular brand is on sale.
Then again, my husband will eat almost any food, so long as it's not too spicy or greasy.
2 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
8 May 08
In my shopping, the most important thing is what I can find for the cheaper price, whether it is generic or if I have a coupon and it makes the name brand cheaper. Thanks for posting.
1 person likes this
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
4 May 08
It really depends on what it is. Some items are just as good as name brands, others I find "watered-down". The store label brands, on the other hand, are almost always just as good or better.
One of the things I've started doing to save money is trying to grow my own vegetables. I have a brown thumb, but so far so good!
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
4 May 08
Really depends on what it is if I buy generic or not. Most food I buy is generic. I found Dawn is the only dish soap that works great on greasy stuff and not just dishes either. Since I've started switching to organic, the cleaner I use, note cleaner not cleaners is awesome on anything you would use Mr. Clean, Pine-Sol, Lysol on and since it's super concentrated, a lil goes a long way. I also use the same cleaner for laundry soap with wonderful results. I use generic vinger in my rinse cycle instead of fabric softener. Generic bath soap/body wash as well. My family doesn't care either.
2 people like this
@Sherry12 (2472)
• United States
8 May 08
I use the generic brands almost all the time. I don't think my family can tell the difference, or they haven't said anything. Unless I have coupons, the brand name items are too expensive. There are a few things like the miracle whip, that I do have to get the brand name.
2 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
8 May 08
I agree I just used coupons and sales also and what ever is the cheapest is what I buy. Thanks for posting.
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
3 May 08
This wouldn't be a change for me because I've always used generic brands. Even sometimes using a coupon with brand name products it is still mor expensive than generic. I'm not that picky of a eater, so most of the time I can't even tell the difference between the brand and generic except for the type of box or bag or can it might be packaged.
2 people like this
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
3 May 08
As far as I'm concerned, I could eat generic all the time also. Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 May 08
I'm fine with most generics. Saves me a lot of money. I was once informed by a store manager that many of the generics are actually surplus from brand names anyway, sold as generics (why, he didn't say). I DO know they usually taste the same -- though not always.
I'm generally just as happy with the generic as the brand names. The ones with which I'm unhappy? I just don't buy them again. Shrug.
Maggiepie
