Five Brand Name Products I Swear By (And Five I Swear At)
Author: Nick
Category: Money
Topics: frugality
Those who know me well tend to describe my financial style using words like “frugal” and “budget-minded” and “cheap-ass tightwad.” And I will very readily confess to being all of the above. While my friends are out buying giant televisions and laser-guided hovercraft, I’m just as content at home playing with my ball on a stick. And while everyone else is purchasing the 12-dollar organic whole-grain cereals harvested by Buddhist monks, I’m totally fine sticking with the generic brand cereals like Fruity Rings and Marshmallow Remnants.
But there are a few cases where I’ve totally dedicated my wallet in an almost cult-like fashion to the following of a particular brand name item. I mentioned one of these brand names a few weeks ago—Shell gasoline—but there are a few others to which I am particularly loyal, as well as a slew of others to which I am so disloyal that, were they my wife and we were in a loveless marriage, I would not hesitate to cheat on them with a product a few shelves down the shopping aisle. Let’s take a look at some of the good and the bad items that have made their way into (and sometimes quickly out of) the Punny Money Family household over the years.
Razors
My brand name choice: Schick. It’s taken me nearly a decade to find a semi-disposable safety razor that lasts a long time and gives me a good, clean, comfortable shave. I finally found it a few months ago when I received a free sample of the Schick Quattro Titanium. I’ve been using the same replaceable blade for nearly two months now, and it still shaves as close as the first day. I know I’ll have to replace it eventually, and the nearly $20 price tag for eight more blades stings a bit at first until you consider that those eight blades will likely last me over a year at this rate.
I stay far away from… Gillette and store brands. Gillette, your safety razors just suck. They wear out after a few uses, they always miss spots the Schicks don’t, and they’re just as expensive. And don’t even get me started on store brand razors; you might as well just shave with a chainsaw instead.
Bug Spray
My brand name choice: Raid. Living in an old 1940s house, there are numerous tiny holes that equally tiny bugs sometimes manage to worm their way through to get inside. It’s by no means a big problem, but we are sure to keep a can of bug spray nearby anyway just in case. Raid’s slogan that it “Kills on Contact!” may be a little bit of an exaggeration, but it does seem to kill bugs after a minute or two of horrendous torture that’ll teach them terrorist critters to stay outta our home.
I stay far away from… Black Flag. This crap just doesn’t work. There could be a tiny little fly sitting on the wall and I could empty an entire can of Black Flag onto its diseased little butt and it would just sit there and act like it’s a refreshing summer rain.
Beer
My brand name choice: Sam Adams. I was not much of a beer drinker until a couple years ago because all of my previous beer drinking experiences were with crappy American beers. Then someone gave me a fancy imported beer and it tasted pretty good. One day, I tried one of Sam Adams’ seasonal brews and thought that it must have been imported from some country who also had a revolutionary war hero named Sam Adams. Fortunately I was mistaken, and now I’m a Sam Adams fan for life. I’m especially fond of their Oktoberfest brew, especially when it’s served by a sexy lady in one of those tiny beer girl outfits.
I stay far away from… any other American beer. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever been drunk enough to tolerate the taste of Miller Lite or Budweiser or any other domestic beer. I would sooner drink water or the girliest drink available than an American beer other than Sam Adams.
Chocolate
My brand name choice: Hershey’s. Hershey’s makes Kit Kats, Mr. Goodbars, and the best dark chocolate around. That’s all the chocolate I need.
I stay far away from… Store brands and “home made.” Sure, those store brand chocolate bars might cost 50% less than their Hershey’s counterparts, but I think that 50% cost savings comes from the fact that they use a blend of chocolate and crap. As for home-made chocolates… unless your home is in a chocolate factory, chances are you have no business making chocolate meant for people to enjoy.
Batteries
My brand name choice: Energizer. I’ve tried all of the other brands over the years as well as a variety of store brands, and Energizer always seems to have the best cost-to-life ratio. Yes, they’re pricier than all the rest, but their long life and reliability more than make up for the added cost.
I stay far away from… Duracell and store brands. Yes, those Duracell commercials say they’re what powers the space shuttle and Walt Disney’s cryogenic chamber, but they’re just not as long-lasting as Energizer in my mind. The difference is even more apparent when comparing Energizer rechargeable batteries to other brands of rechargeables.
I hope you’ll forgive me for indulging in a “Nick’s Favorite Things” list, but I also did this to strike up some conversations with you to see what some of your favorite products are. So please feel free to share with the rest of the class, and if anyone knows a particularly effective hair regrowth product… please share that with everyone else too. You know, for everyone’s benefit.
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38 Responses »
1.
s. jennifer rose
October 17th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Heinz ketchup. Nothing compares. Nothing. I’ve tried all the others. If it’s twice as much I don’t care, I will buy it. I’m kinda a nut about health-food too, and I hate that it has high fructose corn syrup in it, but nothing tastes as good. My vegan patty and whole grain bun need Heinz.
Can’t think of another brand I’m religious about…
2.
Liam Brennen
October 17th, 2008 at 7:39 am
For me . . . It’s that I love Tobasco sauce! I do not appreciate Texas Pete, or anyone who claims it is the best. They sell it in huge bottles for cheaper . . why? Because it’s cheap, watered down, garbage! That’s my contribution to what I am loyal to . . .
Cheers!
3.
Clever Dude
October 17th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I agree on Heinz. Absolutely nothing compares to Heinz.
As for razors, I used the quattro for a couple years till I got a free sample of the Gillette fusion. I stretch the cartridges out to two months too, with no problems. The first 2 shaves usually end up in some cuts because it’s so sharp, but after that, nothing but smooth shaving. And as you and I personally know, I have stubble like a brillo pad and have to shave daily while you shave what, twice a week?
As for chocolate, do we have any other choices? Cadbury hasn’t made enough inroads in our country to become popular yet, but I really like their options (like the Crunchy Bar). Go overseas and you’re presented with aisles of candy choices far superior to Hersheys. But Hershey gets the job done.
And beer, well the best beers for me tend to be in microbreweries (NOT Gordon Biersch. Blech). But I don’t like beer much anyway, imported or domestic.
4.
Roger Hamilton
October 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Yes chocolate.. there are many brands. I just go with the one that tastes good.
5.
Shawn
October 17th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Heinze definitely!
I seriously consider having my wife carry a bottle in her purse for those restaurants that server that crap known as Hunt’s.
6.
A1 Medical Supplies
October 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
You are right about black flag. I bought some of that stuff last week, honestly because it was on sale, and it only half worked. I thought I was getting a deal, because it was half the price of the other stuff, but now I know why…
7.
Ruben
October 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Samuel Adams is a fine beer. I also like Heineken.
8.
Keri
October 17th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Love the cartoons!!
I’m definitely loyal to Heinz ketchup as well!
9.
Obbop
October 17th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Subjective tastes are just that…. tastes. That are subjective.
How about shaving cream?
I gave up on them. The high-priced semi-new-fangled gel-type just clog the razor.
For a groovy shave plop a hunk of shaving soap into a cup and use a bristle brush to slather the foam stuff across your ugly mug. Have your female do it and consider a form of foreplay. Careful with the razor.
Rarely drink. Made one six-pack last for over a year. Haven’t had any alcohol of any type in three or more years.
You sops.
But, when the craving strikes deep and I decide to imbibe a beer or two… it has to be a Pabst Blue Ribbon. Over the decades tried many types and brands of beers but only one had that, to me, true beer taste… Pabst.
Best in the bottle. Can’t recall seeing it on tap but rarely go to bars due to my dislike of drunks. And sops.
Oh, and it’s gotta be Intel over AMD.
And roller bearing vice sleeve. And disc brakes over drums.
Definitely two-ply vice single but a corn cob will do in a pinch.
And a cuddly kitten over a rabid skunk any day of the week.
With that, I remain committed with occasional supervised visits outside the compound.
10.
MoneyMateKate
October 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Viva paper towels - they feel more like “towels” than “paper”. None of the others even come close.
Name-brand over store-brand for TP - Charmin Basic or Cotonelle are my faves. Scott SUCKS.
Dawn dish soap - hey, they use it to clean up oil spills in the ocean! And when a facialist got a load of oil in my hair that wouldn’t wash out with shampoo (3 attempts!), Dawn saved my tresses.
Bars of Soap - creamy kinds like Dove, Caress, Camay, Tone. I find Zest, Dial, Irish Spring, Lever 2000 very drying.
11.
stocks
October 18th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I like pepsi, not safeway select
Hungry man dinners
Starbucks, not maxwell.
Glad, not hefty
The only storebrand item I buy is noodles, unfortunately everything else is brand name..
I’m going to have to look at why. heeh
12.
Mother's milk
October 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
isnt there a saying that goes “you get what you pay for”?
13.
London Removals
October 19th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I donot agree with the Schick vs Gillette. To me Gillette gives the best value for money. Their Mach3 ranges are really awesome.
Apart from this, the other four are quite true.
I would love a comparison of the cola drinks brands too. My preference is Coke, but i love Pepsi too.
14.
Edgar
October 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Interesting information.
I also prefer Schick and Energizer!
15.
Jane T.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Alright, I am a little disappointed in your selection. I am no brand whore either, however there are some names that I can’t stand. Schick is one of those. Their razors designed for women are absolutely awful. I can’t tell you how many time I have cut myself shaving.
I love Raid, though. Call me mean and sadistic, but I love watching the roaches in my place squirm whenever I give them a strong dose. In a weird way I get this picture in my head that I am setting and example to the other roaches (which invaded my house last fall and I haven’t gotten rid of them since). Raid is my weapon of choice.
16.
Down South Georgia Boy
October 20th, 2008 at 10:00 am
We love Heinz ketchup despite our Republican friends who won’t touch the stuff due to the Heinz-Kerry relationship from the past election. I simply tastes better than Hunt’s (popular here in Georgia) or any other brand.
I agree with the Sam Adams selection. It is a preference for tailgating.
As for me, batteries are batteries.
17.
Jeff
October 20th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I use Energizer’s rechargeable for my digital camera and have no complaints. I probably will switch all my batteries to rechargeable … it’s nice to be able to use them until they’re dead and then just stick them in the socket for a few hours and use them again. It’s eco-friendly and saves money.
I am with everyone else about ketchup … it’s just better.
My girlfriend is in love with Aveeno because she’s got sensitive skin. Even though it costs a lot more than the other stuff.
18.
Guilhem
October 21st, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hello, I agree with London removals (Comment n° 13). I don’t really care about razor. In fact I use my Gilette Sensor (mach 2 I guess) only 3 times a week and so, I can use only 3 or 4 blades by year… Not so expensive and I’m satisfied with the result… But I will try if possible the Schick brand (I’m not sure to find it because I’m living in Korea).
For chocolate, please respect Swiss chocolate at least !
Related to chocolate, in France we used to eat a chocolate paste (put on bread slices). and definitively, the only acceptable brand is NUTELLA (from Ferrero Group).
I apologize for my poor english. I find your blog while searching some humorous explanation about subprime mortgage crisis. And I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for but I really enjoy your spirit. Thank’s
19.
Kyle
October 21st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
You should try some of the smaller American micro-brews. A lot of the best beer in the world actually comes out of the US these days, it’s just not mass-produced.
20.
Accredited Degrees Online
October 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I’m gonna have to say that most bagged cereals are better than the box named brand. At least around here they are. They seem to have more marshmallows, more sugar and all around good fun taste.
21.
Free Ps3
October 21st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Lol. I love your animations, brilliant! Yup Energizer are the best for batteries, not sure about the rest! Never tried hersheys, dont think we have it in Britain!
22.
stocks
October 21st, 2008 at 9:58 pm
And as I thought about it more, I do prefer Irish Spring to Dove since Dove appears to leave a soapy film, no matter how much I rinse.
Brand names for cereals, sorry, gotta say it, fruity pebbles and cookie crisp. too good to pass up.
23.
vev from teak furniture
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
I prefer Dove it moisturize my dry skin. I also prefer Schick and Energizer.
24.
Jordans
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I go to home depot buy a case of I think 24 Energizer battery’s. Than call it a day… best choice to make. (use them for my xbox 360)
25.
Air Jordans
October 25th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I swear at Beer. i also swear at many people around me when I consume too much beer.
26.
Jasper Pendant
October 27th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Slazenger shuttlecocks and tennis balls - everytime.
27.
Gold Handbag
October 28th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Toyota for cars, Google for search, Sony (particularly VAIO brand) for laptops.
28.
Low Interest Credit Cards
October 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I couldn’t agree more about hershey’s chocolate, there’s nothing like it! I also find that I can’t tolerate generic salsa.
29.
John - iPod
October 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I’m going to have to second whoever said heinz ketchup.
)
With cornflakes just go with the shop brand, they taste exactly the same are half the price.
chocolate biscuits - you must go with mcvities chocolate digistives over store brand.
Definitely agree with Google for searching and Sony Vaio for laptops ( I have one
Apple for Mp3 players.
colgate for toothpaste
The list is endless!
30.
investment professional
November 12th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I have serious issues with my razor… maybe i should invest in one that actually does a good job… and I am also thinking about an electric toothbrush, but that costs like 90 bucks, so I dont want to screw that up.
31.
Fabian Perez
November 14th, 2008 at 3:08 am
For chocolate,i do care the brand. and always eat the same .
32.
Norm
November 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am
There was a recent article about how store brands are just as good or better than name brand foods {might have been on MSN, not sure though}. As an experiment i’ve been buying store brands almost exclusively over the last month and for the most part i’m satisfied with them. Trick is though, never let the kids see the box, they are so brainwashed by advertising that they are unwilling to accept anything except name brands. Now, when it comes to ketchup, has to be Heinz! it really is the best!
33.
Michelle
November 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Nearly everything I buy is supermarket-branded (I guess I have a bit of a reputation for being tight-assed too!). But with one major exception (that I can think of anyway) - Heinz Ketchup - no other brand compares for me either (like S. Jennifer)!
34.
andy
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
For batteries, try Eneloop rechargables. They come already charged, recharge very fast, and hold a charge for a very long time. Much better in the long run than disposables.
35.
T-Shirt Guy
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Interesting, here in canada I have not seen the homemade chocolate brands…but they have them for chips..interesting to know when that will hit here, or why it has not yet.
36.
Air Jordans
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:33 am
I sometimes try a store brand if it’s a small package or can. Most often they’re ok. I’m still cautious about not using name brands though. I now wouldn’t buy any food item from China for obvious reasons.
37.
WriterGig
December 8th, 2008 at 9:54 am
What about Yuengling beer? Oldest brewery in America and all of that? Love that beer. Hate Hershey because it includes artificial flavoring–yuck. I am a huge chocolate snob, I need gourmet dark chocolate to be satisfied, so I indulge less frequently.
38.
Handy
December 16th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Hey thats a really funny cartoon at the top. Ha ha.. And thats a good list of products you’ve got. Guess you can write about other products like soap, restaurants you chose and so on.
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