Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
Buying generic instead of name-brand items can save you money. There’s no disputing that. There is quite the debate though on whether the quality is there when you choose knock-off items. Before we dive into the generic vs. name-brand debate, let me just say this: there are certain things I will always buy name-brand after much trial and error {ie. Charmin toilet paper for the win!}. But other things we are often brand loyal to unnecessarily. Buying the generic and often times nearly identical items can save you thousands each year.
Trial and Error: I’ve experimented through the years on all sorts of items and products. I’ve learned that knock-off pain relievers like Aleve, Tylenol, etc. work perfectly fine. So I’ll always buy generic for those. Generic brand mascara however doesn’t quite cut it for me. Generic gas? Perfectly fine. Generic orange juice? I don’t mind. Generic contact solution? Doesn’t cut it. Generic marshmallows? Can’t tell a difference. Generic clothing? Nope. Name-brand means higher quality here so I’ll spend a little more. Trial and error has taught me that. If you are curious about how name-brand vs. generic will stack up, simply test the item out and you’ll have your answer. And in many cases, that answer can save you big bucks.
Check the Ingredients: This one just might shock you. Place the generic version next to the name brand and compare the ingredients list. Seem identical to you? It probably is. There might be a fluctuation in the percentages of the ingredients, but chances are if the the ingredients are the same, the generic version just might work in place of the more expensive name-brand item. This is a little different when it comes to food items. Even though the ingredient lists might be the same, sometimes the taste just doesn’t cut it for me, so go the trail and error route to make sure the taste stacks up.
Say Yes to Drugs: Just like I’ll always buy generic pain relievers, I’ll also always buy generic prescriptions. There is almost always a generic version of a prescription drug available at a fraction of the cost. I’ve never found the item to be less effective, as it is regulated pretty heavily by the FDA. FDA requires generic drugs to have the same quality and performance as their name brand partner. Generic drugs are also required to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand name product. Using generic here will show you some significant savings while getting an equivalent product.
Do you use generics or are you brand specific? Are there certain items you’re willing to pay a bit more after your own name-brand vs. generic trails?
How Much Can You Save: 50%+ If we just look at prescription drugs, generic drugs can save you up to 80% on the cost of a prescription when compared with the brand-name drug. Most often, the savings range from 30% to 50%. Those percentages are pretty much inline with most generic vs. name brand purchases!
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}
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Kid’s Stuff
Ingredients
Directions
It’s almost grilling season again! And, let me tell you, Bob, this year it can’t come soon enough. I am ready to stop heating up the house with the electric guzzling stove and move this party outdoors.
1. Clean the grill
4. Safety first
6. Testing for doneness
