A Frugal Word Of Advice: Go Generic and Save Some Green

By Jennifer McClelland

I interpreted a report about a week back that said by the time I am able to retire, there won't be any Medicare or Social Security left in the account the government has set aside. Because of this, I am so happy that I have been capable to squeeze and set aside every penny I can. That way, by the point in time I am prepared to stop working, I could have an adequate amount of money to do so comfortably.

I hope during my time at the Lucrative Investor I am able to help disclose some of my ideas with readers regarding how I live thriftily and put away I can.

Here's my initial pointer:

Store brands can save you a bundle.

I recognize what you all are almost certainly thinking, "Of course generics will save me a little money, but they taste bad."

In any case, you couldn't be more wrong.

Prior to us having children, my husband, Bryce, and I would use (probably too much) money on name brand items. We always bought Heinz ketchup, Kraft American cheese, Turner milk, Coca-cola soft drinks, etc Then as soon as the children came along, we knew that something had to be completed to control our expenditure behavior.

Coupon cutting was the rule (and still is for us), but there would be times when we desirable something like ketchup while we wouldn't possess a coupon meant for it. That's at which time we began purchasing store brand ketchup. While we may like one store brand over another, in numerous cases the generics taste similar or indistinguishable to the name brand thing.

As soon as we began purchasing the generics along with the coupon cutting for the name brands, there was a perceptible fall in the amount we were paying monthly in groceries. We were also still able to feed the kids all the same foods without any fussing. There was at least one month when we were able to put aside virtually $150 on groceries opposed to the month previous.

Here's a technique when it comes to fussy children: Purchase a box of their favorite breakfast cereal, but find a generic that is the equivalent "flavor." After the package is empty of the name brand breakfast cereal, fill it up with the store brand cereal and they won't ever notice the change. The technique can be used for a quantity of things (and ladies, husbands can be tricked this way also).

If you are even now disbelieving regarding name brands because of a stigma you may have acquired through the years, give them a taste at least once. The greatest part is, several grocery stores offer a cash back guarantee if you don't like their brand over the national name brand thing. - 31374

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