I disagree with #2. Supermarkets get these wrong 50% of the time, either on purpose or accident.

I went to Stop and Shop yesterday and pick up some shampoo. It was Pert Plus and it said 25% bonus free on the bottle. I was amazed at this with all the shrinking so I got it for the same price as a normal sized bottle.

i got home and jumped in the shower and when I used the shampoo I noticed it was alot thinner. I've been using that shampoo for years so I know what it looks like and this "Bonus" bottle looks to be watered down quite a bit.

Its a shame these companies are getting more and more deceptive. Its also a shame they are raising prices so much per unit and blaming it all on Gas when the cost per item shouldnt rise even close to what it has.

@Rando: I also disagree with #7. Quality is definitely sacrificed on most generic items.

Sorry for the double post, we need an edit button...

I dont think #7 is true. Often times store brands taste like crap, or at the very least not as good.

Also the quality isnt there. My Girlfriend was buying store brand broccoli for months. It was half the price but all you get in the bag was the stalks! I convinced her to buy a name brand which was more expensive but it actually had the heads in the package which means much more of the part of broccoli we actually like to eat.

Oh and target brand (archer farms, market pantry) all taste like cardboard food so try to steer clear of those. Except maybe the chips, those are ok.

#7 is not always right. The store brand Eggos, for example, are much, much worse than Eggo brand Eggos.

Sometimes it doesn't matter (sugar) but sometimes it does.

@RumorsDaily:

Agreed. Quality varies amongst brand named items and quality varies amongst generics. A blanket statement saying generics are as good as certain name brands is incorrect.

#16: Ask for discounts on packages that are dented or food near the expiration date. Most managers will offer a discount on the spot.

9 and 15 are counter intuitive. Make one big shop, but try to carry it all home?

I agree with what everyone else is saying about generics. There are no difference for some things, but with others the difference is huge. It depends on the item.

@parad0x360: It may not be universally true, but there are in fact some really good store brands out there. I don't think I've ever had a bad Publix-brand product. In fact, I like some of their products more than the more expensive versions. Publix brand ice cream rocks.

Good list. Comment on #7 (generics). Wal-Mart has started to close the gap between the price of store brands and name brands. Here's how, using the example I recently observed--Spaghettio's.

A month ago, a can of WM Spo's was 58¢ and a can of Campbell's brand was $1.07. This has been the price for these 2 products for over a year now in my area. At my next visit, WM Spo's were 78¢ and Campbell's were 97¢. Last week, the prices for both items was the same--88¢. The name-brands won't put up with WM store brand price undercutting for much longer.

Note also that in many markets, WM doesn't sell generic versions of high-margin, frequently consumed products like toilet paper and laundry detergent. One has to search to find the best prices. For example, WM doesn't even sell many Purex (a less expensive brand made by Dial Corp.) laundry products. For these, I have to go to the dollar store, where a box of Purex Ultra is $3.50, whereas an equivalent amount of name-brand detergent at WM would be $7.

Also, shop at Trader Joe's. Eighty-five percent of the items for sale are store-brand (generic).

@parad0x360: Concerning #7, it is hit or miss. For example, I perfer the Kroger Brand Raisin Bran Crunch over the brand name. It tastes better and the flakes are thicker and have more flavor. As for your broccoli example, I agree with you. The name brand is worth it in this situation.

The great thing about store brands is that, in some cases if you are not happy with them, you can take them back and get your money back. I know at Kroger you can.

#2 is rarely true. Typically the smaller packages have a higher unit price. Pay close attention if you are buying out of a bulk bin (#10) as they can have higher prices if the company that supplies said bin is smaller which can lead to higher prices as they need to have higher profit margins.

If you practice #9, then you might be increasing your waistline in the process as research has shown that having alot of food in your house may make you eat more.

As for eating a meal before you go shopping, this works.

Read Paco Underhill's book, it is great.

If you supermarket offers it, do you shopping online and schedule a pickup. It costs me about $6 to shop online but I am much less likely to get hit with impulse items and can much more easily stick to a budget. And as a plus, you can shop in your underwear.

@ChuckECheese: Hmmm, it looks like Campbells is also lowering their price as Walmart is raising their's. But I seriously doubt that it is Campbell's "not taking it anymore". With how large Walmart is, they can just pull the product from the shelf and it probably wouldn't hurt their profit. Most of those corporations have offices set up in Bentonville to work closely with Walmart. My guess is this was an agreed upon move. And actually it could benefit Campbells in that more people will buy their product with the lower price.

I've always found Archer Farms to be one of the best store brands out there. Kroger's Private Selection is also really good, especially their frozen vegetables. (Disclaimer: I'm a former Kroger employee.) I'm always willing to give a store brand a try, and if it sucks, lesson learned and we won't buy it again.

If you have the room, stock up on non-perishables when they go on sale. You're always going to need toilet paper and it's much better to have a truckload under the bed than have to buy it at regular price when you run out and have no choice.

Store brands are variable in their quality. Anything labeled "Good Day" is generally crap. But Safeway has some good store brand stuff. You just need to learn which is which.

Personally, I lean towards riding my bike to the store. It forces me to just get what I really need—I generally can't carry more than that (and it negates the gas advantages of doing one big shopping expedition). I also like shopping for stuff on the day I need it (or close to it), it helps ensure things like vegetables are fresher.

On the other hand, it's also a good idea to invest in a deep freeze and fill it up when really good sales come on. Read the ads and shop at places like Costco or Sams for buying in bulk.

Yes on unit prices, but bring a calculator with you. Often the same products will be measured in different ways! Paper towels are the worst for this.

@ConsumptionJunkie: Careful on the dented cans. Make sure it's not dented on the seam (that might allow air into the can) or swollen in any way. There's a risk of botulism.

    Our local Publix actually reverses rule number 5. At the edge of Publix are: the deli, with all those pricey Boar's Head items and fancy breads, the Produce department, the seafood and meat counters, and the fancy organic/vegetarian counters. All of the cheap canned goods and freezer items are in the center of the store.

    I use Publix store brand on a lot of things. You wouldn't necessarily want the store brand on a main ingredient of a recipe, but Publix canned mushrooms are fine in a casserole. On the other hand, I have to be desperate to buy a "Great Value" item. They are the worst of the worst, of store brands.

These are great tips. If you're going to be nit-picky about name vs. generic brands, just go for the name brand on stuff you know you love. But switching to store brand on stuff like water, paper towels, soaps, detergent- that stuff is probably an easier switch.

Also, Why We Buy is an excellent book, and actually really fascinating as a study of consumers in general and the reasons that motivate purchases. He talks about shelf and rack placement in retail spaces, what stores do to subconsciously influence shoppers- really neat stuff. Anyone who reads this site would definitely like it. He also did another one about the mall (Call of the Mall? I think) that was just as interesting, if not more.

I think the point of the post is to make you consider trying something new. If name brand works for you, great! If it doesn't, then stick to brand names.

#11 is especially important. I like to make sure that I'm in clear view of the screen while the cashier scans the items.

And #12 is another big winner. I live in a college town and the bus fare is free of charge for me. Biggest money saving decision I made was getting rid of my car. No monthly car payments, insurance (especially since I'm under 25), no gas and no car maintenance to worry about.

Of course, getting rid of your car is not possible for many of us; but if you're lucky enough that you have a choice, I heavily recommend trying it.

I've got a great one! If you live in Cook County, go to DuPage county to do all your grocery shopping!

Oops, meant no-name brand above*

@catcherintheeye: Actually, even though I was in jest, now that I think of it that's another money saving option - if you live close to a county border, go grocery shopping in the cheaper one.

@RumorsDaily: But with Eggos, that's like saying a dog's turd tastes worse than a human's turd.

Some things, I can't tell a difference between generic and name brand. A lot of cereals, pasta and bread (that's comparing generic vs something like Wonder Bread, not the expensive gourmet crap), there's no difference that I can tell.

Dairy, on the other hand....huge difference between a lot of generic and name brand cheese, especially cream cheese. Ditto for orange juice. I bought generic OJ once. Never again. I'll stick with Tropicana or Florida's Natural for that.

Oh, and #15 just isn't possible for some of us.

@parad0x360: I think it comes and goes. The eggos are a great example indeed of generic inferiority. Also house brand frozen OJ vs. Minute Maid.

But I find many housebrand cereals ok and I swear by house brand condiments, sugar, and commodity type things.

In other cases it's a matter of use - house brand frozen veggies are inferior but perfectly acceptable for things like pot pies, seasoned veggie salads, etc.

I don't agree at all with #2 "Make a list and stick to it. Lists focus your shopping and are the single best way to save money."

At least in our area, our stores have many unadvertised specials. If you don't go up and down the aisles looking for them, one is depriving oneself of some of the best deals in the store and they are often on very useful things but ones I would not have thought to put on my list. It just takes the discipline to bear in mind what it is you are looking for as you do this.

@ChuckECheese: Are you implying that WM is caving to the whims of their suppliers? I used to negotiate contracts with WM and I can assure you that nothing could be further from the potential truth. I'm sure there's a rationale to the trends you note but equally sure that "somebody not putting up with WalMart" aint it.

They call the shots. There's a good book called The WalMart Effect, very interesting.

Further to my other post on WalMart and The WalMart Effect, did you know that WalMart was responsible for the Deodorants being sold right in their applicators rather than in boxes? Needless bulk and packaging expense said WalMart and thus was an industry change born.

For me, most of the grocery store house branded products are as good or superior to their name branded counterparts, although some of them are worse. As for walking vs driving, I try to walk to the store when I just need a few things, but I'll drive when I need to do my big shopping trip.

I lived in major cities (New York, Boston) for the last six years, without a car, and had to do all of my grocery shopping with a backpack and a tote bag at a variety of small, overpriced supermarkets. Since April of this year, I've lived in suburbia (the VA side of Metro DC) and having my choice of grocery stores -- that have sales! -- and an actual car to transport my purchases home with has been like entering Paradise.

I was also underemployed and penny-pinching for those years in New York, and I find that buying on sale and in bulk here in the 'burbs is far more cost-efficient. Instead of spending $22 at a time twice a week and buying only what I could carry, I'm spending about $65 at a time twice a month tops, and buying things I can store on sale. Produce is still a sticking point (they want HOW MUCH for those mangy-looking oranges?!) but everything else is available more cheaply with sales and coupons, even when I "have" to have the brand-name product. (I'll go back to buying whatever is cheapest if/when I have to, but for now it's nice to be picky about quality.)

Going on a full stomach is definitely the wisest idea, but buying in sale and storing is, in my experience, far preferable to only buying what you can carry.

Number 14 should also include, "Don't shop when you're baked." That's a quick way to empty your wallet on junk food.

@gmoney: Exactly. Try to buy anything that is on sale or clearance.

I'd like to add one: Shop at Aldi, or your local discount grocery outlet. Just like any outlet, you can get overstocks, discontinued items, and things near their expiry date. They also have a ton of decent generic items.

As for #7 and the generic/brand-name debate, I agree that not all generics are created equal. Here's some of the generics I'll always get:

toilet paper They make "premium" store-brand toilet paper that is comparable to Charmin and the like.
canned veggies especially beans (we eat a lot of chili in my house)
milk and butter I have never been able to tell the difference.
pasta Aldi sells generic whole-wheat pasta! Dominick's/Safeway does a really good job with fresh pasta, too.
cereal I honestly think some generic cereal is better than its brand-name counterpart.
drugs FDA-mandated to be exactly the same as the brand name.

Things I won't buy generic:
tissue I have allergies and soft tissue makes a big difference.
orange juice I won't buy orange juice from concentrate, either. I'm picky.

Things that can be hit or miss:
frozen pizza Some is great, some is...bad.
pasta sauce Usually good for recipes.
meat Aldi's chicken patties are better than Tyson's, in my opinion. But I don't trust their red meat.

@Rando: Don't rely on the store's calculation. Take a calculator and do the math yourself. This is especially true since two similar products may have their unit pricing calculated differently. For example a 12 pack of Coke may show the unit price per can, and a 12 pack of Pepsi may show the unit price per ounce. If you have your own calculator, you can get accurate numbers.

The best way to save at the supermarket is to NOT GO when you are stoned!

@gmoney: I think people really should look closer at brand name food items at Walmart also.

They had a special on boxed potato side dishes, either Betty Crocker or Pilsbury last Thanksgiving. When I got there I noticed why they were .88 cents rather than $1.29 at the grocery stores. The box had a difference design and when I looked at the ounces of product in the box is was significantly smaller than the quantity in the similarly sized box sold at all of the grocery stores in town. I knew they did special product versions for Walmart in things like tools and appliances but had not seen it in food until then. I think if someone looked close many of those food bargains just aren't.

I've gotta disagree with #9. I tend to spend more on impulse items when I'm doing a huge cost, since the large cost of the whole order hides the cost of the impulse items. What I do instead is plan out my weekly meals and stop on the way home to pick up any perishable ingredients for the meal. I end up going to the market almost everyday, but I just get exactly what I need.

Plus, all may stuff fits in reusable bags taht way.

Shop without a car. Nothing limits spending like knowing you'll have to carry your goods home.

@Rando: That's why I don't rely on the stickers. I can do the math in my head although it shouldn't take much to do it with a calculator either...

All I know is that the generic Malt-O-Meal version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch is only $1 a box at CVS, and it's de-godamned-licious.

@parad0x360: It's a matter of taste, I suppose, but I'm generally a fan of Target's house brands. I generally agree with you on getting more of your money's worth with national brands, but if you find one or two private labels you like, stick with them.

@synergy: And re: #15. I love this method. 20-ish single guy, lives two miles from the grocery store, and I can always get a week's worth of groceries in my backpack and carry home on my bike. Not for everybody, I suppose, but if you can, it's good for you, your wallet and the environment.

@Rando: Indeed. Quite easy to carry a small calculator to double check (and to keep a running total, if one should desire)

I team-shop with my husband. Yes, it's two of us, but sometimes he can see a deal that I miss and visa versa. We kind of make it a game to see who can find the best deal.

Also, we shop at three different grocery stores. We're currently in Denver, and we shop at Albertson's, Sunflower Market, and King Soopers (part of the Kroger family). We pretty much only buy loss leaders from Albertson's and King Soopers, although we get a fair amount of food staples from KS. Sunflower's produce is so freakin' cheap that it doesn't really matter, although we usually only buy anything if it's on sale. We stock up on chicken/red meat when it's on sale and freeze it to use later.

Also, if there is a farmer's market in your area (and not one of those frou frou rich-old-white-lady ones), you can save tons on produce. But be careful quality-wise. Oh, how I miss the Buford Highway Farmer's Market in Atlanta...

@gmoney: I'll give you that. Maybe I was being too broad and yes in some cases store brand arent all terrible and some can in fact be quite good. Just in my recent experience when compared to name brand they just dont hit the spot on average.

We tried a whole bunch of store brand stuff over the past few weeks to save a little money and we quickly went back to name brand for most of it.

I guess the one good thing that will come of these increases is I eat alot less junk food now. I used to go through a medium sized bag of cheetos, a package of oreos, a quart of ice cream, a bag of pizza rolls, and maybe a bag of Wize popcorn by myself in a week but now I just pick 1 to buy to save some money. I doubt I'll lose weight because my BMI is only like 24 but I may add a few years to my life and delay that heart attack I was working towards.

Hannaford and Price Chopper have always been my favorite grocery stores. Price Chopper is cheep and that is awesome but the quality is not always the best. Hannaford is very reasonable, but does not have super sales. The best thing about Hannaford is that their store brand products are VERY good.

@Rando: I thought that was governed by the State Department of Weights and Measures...don't they HAVE to get it right?

@t325: "huge difference between a lot of generic and name brand cheese, especially cream cheese."

Yes, low-fat cream cheese in particular it's hard to get a good generic.

We actually switched back to name-brand parmesan-in-a-can (okay, I give up, can't spell it) because the Kroger brand TASTED just like the Kraft stuff, but the stupid-ass packaging was cheap and the lid wouldn't stay flipped open while you shook it. It was worth the 10 cents extra to me. :P Now the Kroger lids are better so back to generic, but it was seriously maddening. Drove me nuts every time.

(And I'm too lazy to shred my own parmesan every time, that's why. I know the stuff in the can is crap, but it's EASY crap.)

@ptkdude: "For example a 12 pack of Coke may show the unit price per can, and a 12 pack of Pepsi may show the unit price per ounce."

This should be illegal, it makes me crazy. Sometimes I'll be doing two packages of cat food in the same brand and one is price-per-ounce and the other price-per-pound! (Although I suppose the metric system would solve that problem.)

Only rule that matters: Do not shop when you are hungry.

my trifecta:

1. shop ONLY the weekly specials that are ~1/2 price of normal (if what you want isn't on sale this week, chances are it will be next week at some store)
2. Dented/reduced items are a nice treat and just look weird but taste the same
3. Day old bakery items (bread, bagels, etc)

keeping it simple has served me well

Most store-brand generics are made by one company so it doesn't matter if you are buying "ShopRite" or "Albertsons" or "Target" brand...it is likely made by the same place. Many items are made by the name-brand company to begin with. (Things like cereal and store brand soda usually aren't, but Salt, flour, bread, basic stuff like that, is).

Sometimes you can do better on the name brand equivalent if you can find coupons/rebates/etc.

But generic/slightly off brands are a huge way to save money. I laugh at people that spend $9.99 for a bottle of Tide when i'm walking out with $1.99 bottle of Arm & Hammer detergent, which does not clean any differently IMO.