I asked this question back in June when I had about 14 people reading this site. Now that there are about 4000 of you each day, I thought it would be fun to ask again!
I've also noticed that I've had 3 major changes in my limits to being frugal Keep reading to see what they are (updates in blue):
Here is the list from June:
Coffee: It has to be either the Espresso Blend or the Fair Trade Ethiopian Blend from Trader Joe's first thing in the morning. I'll drink other stuff when I am away from home, but after about 3 days without my favorite coffee, my left eye starts to twitch. I do occasionally pick up other brands when I can get them incredibly cheap, but those cans are saved for parties or on the occasions when I make a 2nd pot of coffee in the afternoon. This is the first big change. At some point in the Fall, I was running low on coffee and was under the weather and had absolutely no desire to make the 45 minute drive (round trip) to Trader Joes. Acme was having a BOGO sale on Eight O'Clock coffee and I had coupons. I bought the strongest coffee they made. It was all over after that. I've since been experimenting with different coffees and found quite a few that I will happily drink that can be found for half the price of Trader Joes. (I'm waiting for my 3 bags of Gevalia for $3 to see if I can add them to the list)
Skin Care: I will only use Purity Cleanser by Philosophy and Hope In a Jar (as well as When Hope Is Not Enough), also by Philosophy. I'm 39 years old and have even skin tone, very few wrinkles and zero blemishes. It might be the skin care I've been using for years, it might be genetics....but I'm not taking any chances! Shortly after I wrote this, I ran out and didn't want to make the trip to the mall (very near Trader Joe's). I bought a "drug store brand" at Target and 3 days later had my first pimple in 3 years. I packed my kids in the car and high-tailed it to Sephora to get some Purity...and haven't had a pimple since.
Makeup: I use Bare Escentuals for everything but my mascara (which is a good ol' tube of Maybelline Great Lash - the same pink tube my grandmother uses!). Once again, it works for me and when it comes to my skin, especially the skin on my face, I don't like to take chances and am willing to pay more for it! I think I've made my continued love of this line very clear!
Diapers: I am a complete "diaper snob" and will only use Pampers. After diapering kids for 7 years, I found that they are the only ones that don't leak on me, especially at night. Although with the $5 coupon coming from Luvs and often seeing them on sale for about $6, I may end up buying a pack in a larger size than my 2-year old needs and seeing how they work out for her. The Luvs experiment worked and I will now buy almost any brand (except Target Brand...they were BAD). Of course, my daughter will be 3 in June and no longer soils or wets herself every 5 minutes, so that may have something to do with it. With any luck, this will be a non-issue for me soon (although not if she has anything to say about it...she is one stubborn girl who has no interest in potty-training!).
Underwear: I am in love with Victoria's Secret Angel Collection and have been for years. Every time they come out with a new style, I like it even better than the last. And now that I FINALLY stopped putting my bras in the dryer, I don't have a problem with them only lasting a year or so because the underwire poked through! Considering every bra and pair of underwear that I have is still going strong since I wrote this, I'm sticking with Victoria's Secret!
Fabric Softener: Anything but Downy (and it has to be the April Fresh/original scent) makes my 5-year old break out in sneezing fits. I've tried store-brand versions of it (including Costco's version) and his eyes still start watering. The worst part? There are NEVER really good coupons/sales for Downy. We stopped using liquid fabric softener a few months ago because I got tired of paying through the nose for Downy. We swtiched to fabric softener sheets and have had no problems with allergies with my 5-year old.
What are your "non-negotiables" and why? Have you changed a product brand that you swore you would never change?
Beth
I'm the same as you when it comes to the Bare Minerals. I've never found a skin care line or makeup that works so good with my skin. We recently had a store open in the mall and they have a frequent buyer card. When you spend $10 you get a punch, after 10 punches you get $10 off your next purchase. I've often gotten an extra punch or two while there--they are really nice in that store!
We've also started buying store brand coffee. We are such snobs that we usually purchase at Whole Foods, but it is a hassle to get there. We buy Starbucks when it's on sale and I'm looking into other brands.
We no long have to have Land O Lakes butter-this was a huge deal with my husband.
I've found a few detergents that don't break me or my son's skin out. We were buying Arm and Hammer which hardly ever goes on sale.
I've cut my grocery bill in half and am trying to cut it even more!
Nique
My man and I don't skimp on cereal or ice cream. I don't drink coffee, I'm 24 and "cheap" soap and makeup has always worked, and we don't have kids. I count myself very lucky! But I don't like store brand cereal at all, and the rare occasion we get ice cream we get the premuim!!!
Jennifer Y.
I have some brand loyalties. Soap, makeup, and skin care--I've been using whatever I get free/cheap at CVS. Shampoo too. But, I DO have a few:)
Hair products: I must have my Garnier sleek & shine anti-humidity cream. I've tried the similar suave and even john frieda frizz-ease stuff, and it doesn't work as well. I haven't been able to find it at CVS, Walgreens, Target or Walmart. I started to panic and even emailed Garnier to see if they were discontinuing it. Stalker much? I finally found it at Ulta and bought 3 tubes--just in case! I also use the sleek & shine anti-frizz serum. It's the best for my hair.
Aluminum foil: I am a total Reynolds snob. Love it, can't stand the flimsy store brands. Addicted to the no-stick version too, although I try hard to use it sparingly.
Mayo: Tried the Walmart brand and it is totally disgusting. Runny almost. Thank God there have been good sales recently on the good stuff. I actually threw half a jar away--it was that bad.
Deoderant: Must have my Secret clinical strength. It's SO expensive and that's annoying. But, really, what's a sweaty girl to do?
Diapers: I have tried pretty much every brand of diapers, including store brands. (I agree, Target is the worst!) But, I always come back to Pampers. They are the best for DS, so I suck it up and use my coupons and wait for sales.
Another limit for me is that I absolutely detest the Walgreens in my area. I have had terrible experiences there. So, no matter what the deal, I just don't go there. It's not worth the hassle.
Neat topic--can't wait to see what everyone else posts!
Anne from Maine
I've never had a problem with Target diapers. I've just started using coupons and have not tried many brands other than the ones I already use. I have a toddler DD and She loves cuting coupons with me. Her favorite part is circling the good sales in the grocery flyer! I'll only use Mary Kay for skin care, I don't drink coffee, underwear is underwear! Fabric softener is a whole other story! I'm a snob when it comes to Bounce, I will NOT use anything else.
Annie H
You know, I don't really have many of these.
I use Walmart brand diapers because I think they're better than Target diapers, but I wouldn't be adverse to trying white cloud or some other off-brand.
I don't buy baby soap at the $1 store but I don't mind buying off brand at another store.
I do prefer Campbell's cream of mushroom soup but am on a quest for a decently easy homemade version.
We have to use free and clear high efficiency laundry soap but there are about three brands that meet those criteria. I get the least expensive.
-shrug- We're easy.
April
Spaghetti Sauce! Prego or homemade. Everything else tastes horrible to me.
We use cloth diapers when at home, but it's either Pampers or Huggies while we are out and overnight. I'm able to keep my disposable diaper budget to about $20/month this way. We've tried several generics and were terribly disappointed. The cloth would have held up better!
Heinz ketchup. I get the cheap stuff for the kids, but hubby wants Heinz.
Viva paper towels. LOVE those things! I try to only use them few and far between, so a package goes a long way. But I will never buy anything else.
That is all I can think of right now 🙂
Betsey Cline
Mindi,
I have been a Bare Escentuals and Philosophies user for a long time (10 years or so). About a year ago I was introduced to BeautiContol and found that their skin care worked great for me and was less than 1/2 the cost of what I had been buying. After awhile I joined the company to buy my own products and love the way my skin feels. In the past, I never would have even tried it -but my frugal desire made me give it a try. If you would like to just try it -email me and I can mail you a sample... that way you aren't stuck with product you won't use if you don't like it. Just a thought, sharing one frugal gal to another!
Also, BC just introduced a couple weeks ago mineral make up. I can't get enough of it -even a mineral lipstick.. at a fraction of the cost of BE. I have been wearing it and have converted several friends just from trying the lipstick -which is fabulous. Having been a loyal BE user, it is hard for me to say I like this better -but it is definitly at least equal, but less expensive.
I am so happy you shared your coffee experience. I have coupons for the After Eight brand and now I am going to give it a try. I have been using Starbucks coffee exclusively for years... and scared to try another brand... but you've given me inspiration -thank you!
Mandy
I also use Purity but I have the super size bottle from QVC. I've barely made a dent in it - I'm estimating it to be at least a year's suppy for my use and it was just over $40. iqvc.com item number A34737
Celia
I will economize everywhere except maxipads. ALWAYS- that is it, forever. I don't care if another brand is free. I only buy Always.
We also refuse to compromise- it would be more accurate to say my CAT refuses to compromise on litter. We use Dr. Elsey's and it is pretty pricey but better than getting the stink eye from our cat.
I also refuse to compromise on organics. I feel it is important and will pay whatever is necessary for a quality organic product. We eat about 50% organic and I am looking forward to hitting maybe 75% this year.
Hello
Alcohol - Low quality beer and liquor taste terrible. I don't mind spending a few extra dollars for mid-shelf liquor and better beer, and it doesn't break the bank because they are infrequent purchases.
Cheese - I'm a cheese snob. For a few dollars more than the canned Kraft stuff, I can get good, imported blocks of cheese from an Italian market and grate my own. The freshness and taste are worth the extra cost.
Bread - I'm a sucker for freshly baked bread from my local bakery. I've been experimenting with baking my own to save money, but have had mixed results. I can bake some delicious pitas for less than a dollar a dozen, but have yet to make anything that's a good substitute to my bakery's baguettes or crusty French bread.
Tampons and panty liners - I feel uncomfortable when I'm not wearing "my" brand.
Fabric softener - I'm also sensitive to certain brands of fabric softener and stick with what I know doesn't irritate my skin. The thought of using fabric softener sheets intrigues me, though. If you don't mind my asking, Mindi, what brand have you switched to?
kcsmvest
The only things I won't do without are my skin care (Origins-White Tea Skin Guardian and the Hydrating Body Cream-A Perfect World); Downy (but the way I use it is this... I mix 1/2 cup of Downy with 1/2 cup water and throw a sponge in, wring it out about halfway, and throw that in the dryer. That way it lasts a lot longer and it still works just as well); and cheese. We also buy in block, and shred our own. I make my own pizza and use a blend, so it's a lot cheaper than ordering in.
Misty
Peanut Butter- It HAS to be Jiff.
Make up- I love my bare minerals and philosophy, but if I am just running somewhere quick that I think I need make up on I have some AVON minerals that works fine. I have trouble with their colors being darker than the name brands so I don't love it but it works to stretch the good stuff.
Mayo- It has to be Best Foods regular, no light, no olive oil, nothing weird.
My husband is picky about parm cheese(the canned stuff) he wants Kraft. I figure if you are using canned cheese off the shelf who cares what brand it is??? But since I also don't eat it I let him win a few. 🙂
I used to be a gain snob. I love it, I love the smell, everything, and I miss it. It makes me sad just typing about it, but it is one of the many items that got cut when we started to be frugal.
Christy L
There are only 2 things for me:
1. Bounce fabric softener
and
2. Sargento cheese
I can make anything else work!
Kim
I gotta say, since I have always been a diaper snob, with my son, I tried several brands, and swore I would never use anything but Huggies. When my second finally came along I finally gave in and tried the Costco brand and loved them almost as much.
Deodorant was another big one for me. I have to have the strong stuff. I did start looking at some other brand though, and sure and degree both have “prescription strength” with the same active ingredient as the secret clinical.
Alcohol was the big hit for my husband. He likes the expensive imported beer. Now he makes his own beer and it ends up being a lot cheaper.
Manisha
I'd chew off my left arm before I ate store brand cereal. I'm sorry, I just won't do it. Luckily for me, Acme typically does deals where I can stock up for $1 or less fairly often.
I'm really not brand sensitive about anything else, except toilet paper and tampons. But I get those cheap when they go on sale, too, so it's ok.
That last thing I'd cut out of the budget was my internet and cable. I'd be exclusively eating Ramen noodles before doing that.