looking for cheaper alternatives

In most cases there's nothing wrong with using and buying store brands. I do like my Downy but so I don't spend as much I limit how much I use it or if I do use it I use half of the recommended amount. You can also cut a dryer sheet in half and that works fine too. I've also heard of people taking the used sheets or a old washcloth and spraying it down with a diluted fabric softener like downy to get the same effect. I've bought store brand milk for a long time, I don't find it much different than the brand names except chocolate milk well one can be picky about that sometimes too.

I used to go for the cheap alternatives but even these alternatives are not good at all. It leaves me shopping nothing unless I really need them. I used to use fabric softeners but not anymore. Most detergents have fabric softeners nowadays.. I use soya milk as cow milk substitute and I make it at home. It's cheaper, more nutritious and safety is guaranteed!

Yeah, it depends really on what you are willing to sacrifice to be able to save money in groceries. what we do actually is to buy cheaper alternatives too, but in products like dishwashing soap and in sponges... we are not using toilet cleaners anymore but would resort to just using regular soaps in cleaning the bathroom. we also are buying products with freebies especially for downy and we had a lot and they are still in the house right now. so it is pretty good to be buying wisely. as for food, we rarely buy the cheaper ones if the taste does not match what we are used to, otherwise it won't be consumed and will just be left to rot or expire.

hi there hotsummer, well, what you have done is a superb way to save. aside from savings, you are also giving an opportunity to those manufacturers who are trying to introduce their products to the market. as you are giving them a chance to penetrate in the industry by means of patronizing their goods. giving them a chance to prove that their products are also on good quality same as those with high prices. one more thing, you have also proven that quality is not really based alone if the goods are having a high price. pretty good move.

Hi hotsummer! My saving strategy is that if I could go on without having that thing, I would stick to it. Like on your example of using fabric conditioner, for me that is still additional expenses so I would buy a good brand of laundry powder rather than using a fabric conditioner. But I won't compromise the health of my family by going with a cheaper brand. I will go for the product with a good quality without considering the price. I will just save on other matters but not on my family's health because that is the most important thing for me.