Brand Name vs. Generic

So I was browsing my new online acquaintance Andrea's blog, and she has a great post on brand-specific shopping. I was going to merely list the items I will only buy brand-name versions of in the comments section of her blog, but as I began writing my comment, it became quite lengthy and I realized it might be neat to make a similar post here at Perpetually Nesting.

At the bottom of the list is a Link-Up! Please blog about your own 10 favorite brand name or generic products and link back to Perpetually Nesting!

The following items I will only buy Brand-Name versions of. They're in no particular order...

1. HUGGIES Baby Wipes

I have to agree with Andrea on this one. Nothing compares with the thickness of Huggies baby wipes. I've tried just about every generic brand of baby wipes out there, and I wind up using more and spending more money because they're so thin and brittle.

2. BOUNTY SELECT-a-SIZE PAPER TOWELS

Nothing compares to the absorbency of these. Expensive, yes, but I use less because I can select the size. I have friends who don't use paper towels at all, and I envy them...I wish I could be like them, but paper towels have become a habit here in this household and it's a habit I'm not quite willing to break yet.

3. MRS. MEYERS LAUNDRY DETERGENT, DISH SOAP, COUNTERTOP SPRAY & OTHER CLEANING PRODUCTS.

I am totally obsessed with these cleaning products. My favorite scents are the Basil and the Lemon Verbena.

4. BABY CARRIERS - THE ERGO

What I have learned is that the GOOD ones, the ones WORTH HAVING are the brand name ones. I am a childbirth educator, and so often I hear my students complaining about the cost of these...my advice, when you're registering for baby products, register for the ERGO. Skip the Baby Bjorn. Skip those silly slings that look like purses (the ring slings are good though, particularly Zolowear or Maya Wraps)....just get an ERGO. Spend the money, you'll be glad you did. $100 bucks is worth your baby not screaming. It really is. I promise.

5. AVALON ORGANICS LAVENDER PRODUCT LINE

I discovered these products a few months ago and have been ordering them off of Vitacost.com I am so very impressed with these products I cannot sing their praises enough. Not only are they made with great ingredients, they smell divine, and they leave my skin looking and feeling better than it has in years. I will definitely be buying the facial scrub, toner, shaving cream, hand soap & shampoo for years to come.

The following items I will only buy generic versions of. They're in no particular order..

1. WALGREENS DISPOSABLE DIAPERS

Have you seen my stash????!!!!!!!!

I only buy diapers twice a year during times when Walgreens has their buy one pack get one free sale. I also have this super coupon for $2 off each pack of diapers...and when they cashier registers the coupon, it deducts $2 off each pack of diapers, even the ones I just got for FREE, making the grand total $2 per/jumbo pack. I also go through phases where I use mostly cloth diapers (BumGenius 3.0 One-Size Pocket Diapers, so there's another thing to add to my "name brand" list), and I've used the same cloth diapers on all 3 babies so far...so if I keep up my current system + only use the Walgreens sposies when we go out or go on vacation, we're talking about major savings!

2. TOILET PAPER

I go for the best deal...I really could care less what my family is wiping themselves with...does that make me a bad wife/mother/hostess?

3. OIL & VINEGAR

For some reason our family uses a tremendous amount of extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. I always buy these two things in generic form and in bulk.

4. MEDICINE

Prescription or non-prescribtion, I always buy generic. Why pay $6 for a bottle of Children's Motrin when you can get the same thing at Wal-Mart for $2?

5. VEGETABLES - I GROW MY OWN!

Does this count as "generic?" This is truly a case where cheaper is in fact better. After one season of doing this, I will never go back to eating lettuce from a bag.

So let's see YOUR list! Which items do you buy generic versions of? Which items do you insist on buying brand name? Share your Top Ten List on your own blog, join our Link Up, and link back to Perpetually Nesting!