Where do you *not* budget?

[C.Ann]

Folger's coffee
Whole milk
Vitamins
Boost
Medications
Healthcare and health insurance
Foods that I "need" as opposed to "want"
Recreation and books for my DGD

 

[KirstenB]

Groceries, although I'm trying to be more budget-minded
Kids clothes
Scrapbook supplies
Christmas shopping/holiday entertaining
Family Entertainment (we have Busch Gardens passes, we're DVC'rs, YMCA, Children's Museum membership, etc)

Where I do budget
We drive inexpensive gas misers til they drop
Do all our own home repairs/maintenance
Rarely dine out, unless on vacation
Don't have expensive furniture, etc

 

[christa112]

I will not purchase any food products that are store brand. I am sure it is all in my head, but I can taste the difference.

 

[timzagain]

In no particular order:-

1. Board shorts - DH and stepson buy only certain expensive brands that last forever
2. Running shoes - would rather buy a discounted pair at say a Nike outlet, than buy a Payless type pair
3. Coca Cola, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Cadbury Chocolates - would do without, rather than buy a substitute
4. DD's private school tuition
5. Sunglasses - years of cheap fashion-statement type sunglasses, I discovered that I have suffered some sun damage to my eyes. Have switched to reputable brands and won't switch back!
6. Generic detergents - have ruined clothes in just one wash with no-name detergents. Not doing that again!
   
   Other items I forgot to add:-
   
   Feminine products
   Perfume/ cologne - nice stuff or nothing!

 

[ImaFunMom]

Mayonnaise (only Hellmann's), tea bags (only Lipton), potty paper (only Northern or Angel Soft), ice cream (only Breyers or Blue Bell), soda pop (only real Coke and diet Pepsi, diet DP, diet Barq's), ketchup (only Heinz).

 

[robsmom]

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix
Dunkin Donuts coffee beans
Kellog's mini-wheats
green giant canned asparagus
Ben & Jerry's ice cream (sometimes)
tyson frozen chicken strips
Poor Richards' Natural Peanut Butter
Locattelli Cheese
Gruyere Swiss Cheese
Good Toilet Paper and Tissues (usually Scott's)
Glad Wrap Saran Wrap


These are the only items that i think i am brand or quality loyal to. Otherwise, I can do generic or whatever is on sale.

 

[happygirl]

The only think I can think of is thrash bags, and deodrant

 

[jjjmranch]

My DH cannot live without Citre Shine shampoo & conditioner. No other brand will work. I've tried to substitute with cheaper brands and it just doesn't work for him.

He also will not do generic Mountain Dew.

My list:
Synthroid (no generic medication for long term therapy)
Coca-Cola
Feminine Hygiene Products!

 

[Coll0610]

Diet Coke
Kleenex
femine hygiene
Eggo waffles (for DS)
Kraft mac and cheese
Velveeta
Name brand snacks (if I want Cheetos, I want CHEETOS, not store brand cheese curls)
M&Ms

 

[Kycha]

My list is fairly short...
Quilted Northern tp
Viva paper towels
Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul brand cat food
Cascade complete gel dishwasher detergent
Turkey Hill iced tea

 

[missycj96]

diapers - I only buy pampers - anything else and we end up with diaper rash

 

[natenapril]

feminine products
TP
shoes for my kids and DH
Tide
dog food
yogurt
cheerios
peanut butter
huggies overnight pullups
miracle whip
PEPSI

 

[jessily]

I try to find good bargains at the grocery store, but don't skimp on the healthy foods (fresh fruit especially). I buy store brand of almost anything I can... except Quaker white cheddar rice cakes. Costs me an extra 60 cents a week, but it's worth it to have a snack that doesn't taste like cardboard! (which the store brand does in my opinion).

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Hmmm...

Deoderant LOL seems to be a popular one!
Kraft mac and cheese (I only like the shapes..like Spongebob...and Spiderman...)
Eye drops
Goldfish

Not sure what else...

 

[disfan07]

We cant scrimp on most toilitries for me..im allergic to the chemicals in 95% of toilitries
we HAVE to buy:
burts bees shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, hand sanitizer
Toms brand toothpaste
SUN brand sunscreen

Also:
dog food (we have to buy I/D special diet which is EXPENSIVE!!!)
toilet paper
tissues
detergant
OTC medicine (i refuse to use anythin gbut name brand b/c ive gotten sick form so many that were not name brand)
we wont buy store brand for most foods...sometimes here and ther ewe might but 95% of the time is all brand name


I wish i could buy cheaper shampoo and conditioner though....$14 for a bottle is insane and its smaller than most bottles of shampoo!!!

 

[TexasTodds]

I can't think of many things, since I am trying to cut corners everywhere I can. On MOST things, I have a try it once belief (especially if it is easily consumable) to see if we can go generic or another cheaper brand...

--I've only had highlights in my hair a couple of times, so I had to give those up, but I won't change hairdressers. Mine charges $50 for cut and style, which seems to be about average here, unless you go to cheap places. With short hair, it doesn't take much to really mess it up.

--I won't skimp on finding a good quality, well fitting bra

--For the most part, especially tennis shoes, I will only buy my kids stride rite shoes, most others, especially sandals, seem to leave blisters, and the quality is really evident when you look at them.

--also, love my "brand name" soft drinks, especially Diet Coke, and sometimes, Diet Dr. Pepper. Can't stand Pepsi products.

 

[TwistofLemon]

I will only use Kraft or Hellman's mayo, but I try to wait til they're on sale. And we only like Heinz ketchup, and Charmin TP.

Hmm, That's a pretty short list

 

[tonilea]

Soda. I prefer Diet Coke, but I will buy Diet Pepsi if it is on sale. However, I refuse to buy the store brand. Can't stand the stuff!
Ketchup
Shoes - I will only buy good quality leather shoes.

 

[rockyroad]

I agree about the Hellman's mayo.
I use the light.

But about ketchup, I have always bought Heinz.
Tired Hunts once and never again.

But recently I was in Aldi and I needed some ketchup and didn't want to make another stop just for ketchup.
Got the Aldi brand and I really like it.
Even bought it again.

Most things I like to get good quality, but at a good price.

 

[mpls_mm]

I cannot skimp on....
Bras, underwear and bathing suits
Jeans I always buy on clearance but still at least $75 a pair
Make-up and skincare I have tried every brand and cannot live without Lancome and Philosophy
Shoes and Boots A good expensive pair of leather boots will last years, I just got rid of a pair of Italian leather boots that I have worn for three winters. I waited until the end of winter to replace, they were 65% off at Macys and still over $100, I'll wear em for years. I have to throw out cheap shoes after a season, but not good ones.
Kids Clothes (I get on sale and off season but only certain brands because they wash better and last longer)
Liquor (I am too old for cheap vodka)
Cascade
Eating out ( I go out at least 5 times a week )

However, I never wash my clothes in hot or warm water, I reuse fabric softener sheets, don't have cable, don't buy video games and systems and use nearly storebrand everything, cut and color my own hair. (I look good)

So picture me in $100 jeans eating store brand mac and cheese and drinking generic soda watching a TV with rabbit ears. I am weird.