Food

Are You Low On Funds? Buy Generic: Why And How To Do It

Do you think you are running out of money, or you are low on funds? Buy generic! There are many...

D o you think you are running out of money, or you are low on funds? Buy generic! There are many items you can buy generic instead of branded that can help you save a big chunk of money on your monthly grocery bill. Here are some benefits and examples of things you can buy unbranded.

No Need To Cut Out Things

If you're scared of budgeting because you're afraid you may need to stop getting Nutella or your monthly Froot Loops, shifting to generic brands can help. At its core, Nutella is nothing but a chocolate hazelnut spread, and Froot Loops are just breakfast cereals.

You can find many options that can substitute Nutella with another chocolate hazelnut spread while also saving money but allowing you to enjoy an easy dessert. Who knows, the nutritional value of the substitute may even be better than Nutella (but that means you may have to do a bit of reading on the packages).

Similarly, if all you want for breakfast are Froot Loops, you'll find that a lot of companies sell colorful loop-shaped cereal and so you can get a generic brand instead of buying your favorite brand each time. The bottom line is that you don't have to decrease the items you buy if you are budgeting, you can shift to generic names instead and save.

Best Way To Save

Some people may want to shift to generic names because they are low on funds, but that doesn't always have to be the case. If you aren't low on funds but still would like to save, buying generic is a great way to do it.

If you want a tip, go to the store early and allocate longer than usual for your grocery trip. This way you won't feel that you are short on time, and will have enough to explore new names, their prices, and their nutritional values. Sometimes, if you see another buyer holding the same generic product that you're contemplating switching to, you can ask them for reviews to solidify or rectify your decision.

It's The Same Thing

Generic names for medicine are the same thing as branded medicine. The FDA approves all medicines the same way, so whether you get branded aspirin or unbranded aspirin, you will be getting a safe dose of aspirin that is going to work as a painkiller.

Generic prescription-based medicine costs around 85 percent less than branded medicine does. Simply read the formula for what you’ve been prescribed and search for their alternatives, or walk into a pharmacy and ask them. They’ll be happy to help!

Easily Available

If you are someone who buys branded things, chances are that you’ll make a couple of stops at different stores to buy the same brand you always do, if any store doesn’t have it in stock. Well, if you shift to buying generic brands or unbranded things, you will save up on time and fuel additionally while saving up on your brand costs.

The reason is that every grocery store has its own generic brands for sale, so you will never go home empty-handed or ever have to make extra trips to other stores to get what you need. Just because a store has run out of Nutella doesn’t mean you need to go somewhere else, just buy some other chocolate hazelnut spread! Generic brands are very easily available, especially if you want something in a time crunch.

Things To Buy Generic

Want to shift to generic items but not sure where to start? Here are some items you can buy unbranded. Listed below are only some examples from a non-exhaustive list of things you can buy.

  • Medicines
  • Baking Ingredients
  • Canned Vegetables and Beans
  • Cleaning Products
  • Baby Formula
  • Spices
  • Milk
  • Frozen Vegetables and Fruits
  • Stationery
  • Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Pet Food
  • Diapers
  • Condiments
  • Cereal
  • Orange Juice
  • Pasta
  • Batteries

Not only are these easily available unbranded or by generic brands, but they also cost way less than their branded counterparts do.

Bottom Line

Do your due research by reading box packages and allergen information before switching brands, but if you do want to save money and get the best bang for your buck, stop buying branded items when you can buy the same quality in better names for a better price.

Additionally, you can also ask your cashiers for advice on what to buy in place of branded names, as they usually know which generic brand sells the most. So, if you are low on funds, buy generic things (even if you do it only for a couple of months). Your wallet will definitely thank you.

  • This post is tagged in:
  • Health
  • grocery
  • budgeting
  • saving money