Sometimes, it’s worth it go for the name brand.
Most times, it’s totally not.
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You’d be surprised how often you totally don’t need to splurge for a name brand. From alcohol, to makeup, to toilet paper, these products are just as good as their designer counterparts — if not better.
(I know. Bold statement. Trust me, I’m right.)
Skip the Vitamix and go for a Ninja blender.
No one needs a blender that expensive. Get the Ninja blender and save yourself a ton of money. Even better, pick one up from Costco and you’ll save even more!
NYX eyeliner.
Skip every expensive brand and get your eyeliner from NYX. They offer both felt and brush applicators, and their formulas are unbeatable. My favorite is the Matte Liquid Liner .
A Real Techniques beauty sponge.
I am begging you not to buy a Beauty Blender. They’re massively overpriced, they break down way too fast, and they’re just not worth it. Go for a Real Techniques sponge instead and save yourself $15.
e.l.f. primer > any other primer.
Beauty influencers love expensive primers, especially the Tatcha Silk Canvas. However, as a sane person, I can’t exactly bring myself to spend $50+ on a primer. e.l.f.’s primer does the same job for a fraction of the cost!
Generic ibuprofen.
Most generic drugs will do the same job as the name brand ones. This is especially true with pain relievers — generic ones work the same, but are a quarter of the cost. Trust me.
Batiste dry shampoo will beat Bumble & Bumble’s every time.
They offer different colors for different hair, different scents, and even shampoos that volumize. You just don’t need to be spending $20 on a dry shampoo, you know? Get a whole pack of six Batiste dry shampoo canisters for $20 instead.
Colorpop liquid lipsticks work the same as Kylie’s.
And they’re half the price, if not more. This is an older tip, but it definitely bears repeating: never buy expensive makeup without looking up a dupe first. 99% of the time, one will exist, and it’ll be cheaper.
Fossil watches are just unbranded Michael Kors watches.
Fossil actually makes Michael Kors’ watches, so there’s quite literally no difference. Save yourself a ton of money and buy a Fossil watch instead! Who needs an expensive watch in this day and age?
A water bottle that isn’t a Hydro Flask.
Listen, e-girls will tell you differently, but you don’t need a Hydro Flask. You just need a regular water bottle. If you want one that looks like a Hydro Flask, opt for the Takeya Thermoflask .
A Steve Madden backback that looks like a Herschel.
Herschel bags are incredibly popular, especially the backpacks. However, they clock in at $100+. For half the price, you can get a Steve Madden one that looks near-identical!
Do not buy an Apple-branded Apple Watch band.
Say that five times fast.
Like the phone cases, Apple watch bands are massively overpriced. Get a cheaper one on Amazon and achieve the exact same look for less!
Lodge kitchenware is way cheaper than Le Creuset.
And they have similar designs! Lodge makes quality products, especially ceramic and cast iron kitchenware. Skip the trendy Le Creuset and get something that looks similar, but won’t break the bank.
Literally any phone case NOT made by Apple.
There is no reason for you to pay $60+ for a phone case from Apple when you can find identical phone cases on Amazon for under $20. Don’t fall into the Apple trap, y’all.
Glass screen protectors that work for a fraction of the cost.
On the subject of protecting your phone for less, these glass screen protectors from Amazon cost $6.99 (which, needless to say, is way less than the Apple store). You do have to apply them yourself, but I believe in your DIY abilities. Plus, you’ll save so much money that, how can you go wrong?
Kirkland Vodka.
See, here’s the thing about Kirkland Vodka.
It’s Grey Goose.
No, stay with me! A long-held belief amongst the Costco community is that Kirkland Vodka is Grey Goose, and there’s some serious proof to back it up.
