6 Name Brands I’ll Always Pay For

Good morning Dinks.  Let me ask you a question, do you buy name brands?  I know a lot of people will say one of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery store is to buy the store or no name brand, but I’ve come to learn that’s not always the best option.

Sometimes buying a no name brand can actually end up costing more.  Even though the price per unit of a no name product may be cheaper it doesn’t always hold up to the same quality standards, actually most of the time it doesn’t.  Then it ends up costing more in the long run because we have to go back and buy the name brand; which basically means we just wasted the entire price of the no name product.

Name brands are household staples for a reason, they’ve been tried, tested and true for many years.  If you shop at places like Wal-Mart or Target name brands can end up being pretty economical.  During our years of financial difficulty we lived on store brands and let me tell you the quality is just not comparable.

Kleenex

I love Kleenex tissues.  I get sick quite a few times during the year and I have allergies so tissues are my best friend.  I definitely notice a difference in the quality, durability and softness of Kleenex versus other brands and therefore I’m willing to pay a bit more.

Mind you I don’t get in to the fancy seasonal boxes because that is definitely a waste of money, but when Kleenex is on sale I absolutely stock up.  Kleenex also makes tissues with features like aloe vera and lotion, which makes a big different to my nose when I’m sick.

Diet Coke

Yes one could say I shouldn’t be drinking soda anyways but let me tell you there’s nothing better on a hot day than an ice-cold Diet Coke.  I am one of those crazy people who can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi and as a long time Diet Coke drinker I can say there is no substitute.

Q-Tips

This is absolutely the one item I never substitute.  I think Q-Tips are expensive and I’ve tried other cotton swabs in the past but they just don’t do the trick.  I’m not sure if Q-Tip has a patent on their stick but no name brands just seem to be flimsy and not as well made.

Marriott Hotels

I love Marriott brand hotels.  Whenever possible I will stay in any variation of the Marriott chain from Courtyard to Double Tree, not only because I collect frequent traveller points but because I just love the Marriott experience.  The staff are always helpful, the rooms are always spectacular and who doesn’t love a hot chocolate chip cookie when you check in?!

Kellogg’s

I am a cereal girl and I always have been.  It’s great for breakfast, it’s a filling snack and it’s a quick dinner if you don’t feel like cooking.  I very rarely buy any other name brand other than Kellogg’s.  I may be biased because my Dad worked there and I grew up on eating Kellogg’s products, but even now as an adult you can catch me with a box of Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran or Mini Wheats.

Ziploc

OK I know this is going to sound crazy, but Ziploc sandwich bags are the best.  We have them in a variety of sizes and with different features such as the zipper lock and the double lock.  Last time we bought the Glad version of a plastic sandwich bag and it’s just not the same.  Sorry Glad but we’re just going to stick with you for garbage bags.

Kristina Tahnyak

Tahnya is a Certified Financial Planner and former Investment Advisor turned marketing and communications professional She holds a degree from Concordia University, is debt free and currently works in the field of digital marketing.