Who here considers themselves very frugal ? I certainly do. Growing up in Eastern Europe definitely taught me a thing or two about stretching my money . That’s why I always look for ways to save even further.
If you’re like me, you must’ve heard about the generic versions of brand names. It’s one way to ensure that you get the same quality product for a fraction of the cost. The following are some examples shared on Reddit of people swapping pricey items for their cheaper versions with great results.
Haircut
“For years I paid 35+tip for a men’s haircut at Korean Salons… because Korean women ‘know how to cut Korean men’s hair’… Last year I started going to a barbershop that cuts my hair for 13 bucks. Not only does my Mexican barber cut my hair for a fraction of the cost, he cuts it better than any Korean woman I’ve met.”
Haha!
Pregnancy Test
“Pregnancy tests. $2 at the dollar store in a panic, or even cheaper if you plan ahead and buy them in bulk online. Never buying a $20 drugstore test again. Cheap enough you can just… take one whenever you need peace of mind.”
I guess they’re just as good as the expensive ones, eh?
Shampoo
“I used to spend a fortune thinking maybe THIS time my hair will be silky and beautiful and life will be great. Now I buy a cheap sulfate-free bottle and run through the tiniest bit of any conditioner at the ends. Saves me a fortune.”
Okay, I can see where she’s going with that.
Sponges
“The Home Depot version of the Magic Erasers sponges. They are half the price and work just as well.”
Wow! I didn’t even know Home Depot had its cheaper version. Good to know. Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to make a trip soon.
Deodorant
“Arm & Hammer deodorant – doesn’t have aluminum or parabens and works amazing for me. Never have smelled bad after using it.”
Wow! I didn’t realize that. And here I am spending $25 on a luxury chemical-free deodorant. I’ll have to check that out.
Sewing Machine
“Domestic sewing machines. The more money you spend, the more time and money you’ll be wasting on repairs. Keep it simple, Sally. You’ll often find that something ancient, beat to hell, and dirt cheap outclasses modern computerized machines that cost thousands of dollars.”
This is absolutely true. My dad bought a new sewing machine and it’s much worse than the old one he had.
Clothing
“TJ Maxx. Seriously. I get like 3x the amount of athletic gear there, the same big-name brands. Underarmour, Nike, Reebok. All for like $15 each depending on the clothing. Big-name sports bras? $7 at times.”
It’s the second time somebody told me about TJ Maxx and athletic wear. I’ve never shopped there before, so now I really need to check this store out.
Washing Machine
“My washing machine. Back when I first moved out of home, my father went with me shopping and kept pushing me to buy the basic model. it’s got no electronics that you can see – just two knobs you turn and click into place. let it do its magic. That was …god… 2001? 2002? it’s still going. My dad didn’t get a choice and my mum wanted all the bells and whistles. Since then they’ve gone through three. My sister moved out of home a few years later, her husband is a snob when it comes to home appliances. They’re up to machine two themselves. mine is still going strong.”
– u/tmofee
It’s true. They don’t make stuff like they used to, and the more features a thing has usually means the more things can break.
Electronic Cables
“Amazon Basics has really good HDMI cables for $6.”
Oh, I need a new ethernet cable for my computer, so I definitely look there for one. There’s no sense in paying $40 for a basic cable like that.
Medicine
“Benadryl, aspirin etc. Dollar tree man. Only way to go.”
Absolutely agree there. These days we only buy brand-name medicine if it’s on sale and cheaper than the store brand. Technically they’re the same product as they contain the same ingredients. It’s the name you pay for through the roof.
Dishware
“I had always bought fancy plate sets that looked good in the past and they always ended up chipping and breaking on me. One day I decided to just get the plain white 10 dollar Canadian tire pack. I’ve never had a better plate. No chips, no [expletive], the bottom doesn’t scratch my table. Very satisfied.”
I’ve never bought designer dishware. The only time I’ve it is when somebody gifted it to me.
Laundry Detergent
“My roommate is obsessed with trying out the craziest, fancy, smell-goody laundry detergent and she lets me use it. From what I can tell it does the exact same thing the generic detergent my mom used does.”
Same ingredients — fancier packaging. Um, no, thank you.
Razors
“I got a safety razor handle and use double-edged razor blades. Way cheaper than Gillette/Schick and still get several weeks out of a blade. Also doesn’t clog on my double thick whiskers.”
Apparently, this is the way to go! I need to get one for my husband.
Baby Milk Bottles
“When I was a new mom, I tried all kinds of fancy bottles with my baby. The best ones were evenflo – cheap, glass, babies liked them, easy to clean.”
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I bet every mom-to-be would really appreciate this info.
Kirkland Brand
“Kirkland anything.” – u/WhyYouYelling
“A lot of Kirkland products actually are the name brand products, but are sold by Costco because of a special deal they negotiate with the maker.” – u/Sarenja
“I have yet to find an inferior Kirkland product. But I also maybe a Costcoaholic.” – u/yyc_123
Haha! And now we need to get a Costco membership. Finally!
Swiffer
“Dollar General brand Swiffer dry cloths. Save money, same [expletive].”
Or better yet …
“Use a microfiber towel, then wash it after. They work great for dusting and sweeping floors.”
Have you got that? I’ve meant to get a microfiber cloth for a while now.
Makeup
“Makeup. You can get some really brilliant products for such a cheaper price rather than having the ‘brand’ on it. Kylie’s brushes are dog [expletive], for example, and they’re retailed at $318. All of my brush sets have cost me $20 at most, and I’m a makeup artist so I need good quality stuff. Brands don’t make it good.”
This coming from a makeup artist is quite surprising, no?
Cars
“Most Asian car brands. They may not impress as a status symbol but most Hondas/Toyotas/even Hyundais are more reliable, will take you to a mechanic a lot less, and will hold their value better than many other brands, including luxury options like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Cadillac…etc.”
My husband has been telling me this for years.
So, what do you think of these swaps?
Do you agree with what other people have said about saving your money and buying generic brands? I think there’s definitely a time and place for that. Sometimes it’s worth spending the money like on a good fitting and quality suit but then again, using a plain safety razor gives you a closer shave than those expensive plastic ones.
The truth is, you need to be smart and pick your battles. Am I right?