We all love brand spanking new stuff, but we can’t all afford it.  So if your credit card is almost at its limit, and

the money in your account is running out, then its obvious that you will need to stop spending.

If you really need the necessities, like a fridge or washing machine, then I suggest you buy them second hand.

Buying a new fridge on credit is going to cost top dollar, plus interest charged on your credit card.  Admittedly

second hand won’t look as good as new, but the minute you walk out of the store with your new fridge it

becomes second hand anyway.  So try looking around for a second hand fridge that is in great working order

and looks in a reasonable condition.  Your visitors won’t even notice, so its pointless trying to impress them.

Its easy to become dazzled by a good salesman, but buying within your means will give you a lot more peace of

mind.

If you are strapped for money, try shopping in one of the charity shops.  You would be amazed at the quality

and price of some of the clothes.  No-one will know where you bought your outfits.  The clothes are still

fashionable, because some people who donate to charities, like my sister for instance, wear their clothes for 3

months, become bored with them, and give them away to charities.  I am sure there are plenty of well off

people out there, who have more money than sense, and pay exorbitant prices for clothes with a brand name,

and then get sick of them after a few months and donate them to charity.

Second hand clothing

All it takes is a bit of spare time to sort through the clothes and find something you like.  My 9 year old son

bought me a $3.50 blouse for Christmas at a Charity Shop and I loved it and wear it all the time.  It had a brand

name and looked new, and I have had a number of compliments when I wear it.  My son was very proud of

himself that he had found such a good bargain.

I also have a friend who always looks stunning and when I asked her where she buys her clothes, you guessed

it, she said from Charity Shops.

So why not go into the Charity Shops like St Vincent De Paul or Life Line and see for yourself.  They don’t just

sell clothes, they sell furniture, books, toys, cutlery and crockery, etc.  You can save yourself a heap of money

and plus its beneficial to you and the wider community who may need help desperately.

This is a guest post from Deb Diplock from Woodford Newspaper.

The biggest and most advertised temptations are the special occasions that were originally invented to entice people to buy items. Christmas, Easter, Fathers Day, Mothers day, and Valentines Day are just a few I can recall. I am not saying that they are not celebrating worthy causes, however are they necessary. Most people feel obligated to buy Christmas presents for more than just their family. And now days the gifts people give are not small either. 

On Sale or a gimmick?

Sometimes, if you research your product, an item that says it is on special, isn’t actually a bargain at all. There is a huge sign saying that it has been reduced by 50%..People instantly ask themselves in their mind…”hmmm do I need one of those, because it is so cheap now, and won’t be the same price tomorrow.” Have you ever said that to yourself?

The supermarket isle.

Supermarket isles are stuffed with special price tags which over exaggerate how much you actually save. There are also items placed around and at the checkouts to satisfy your last minute impulse buying. Sometimes you can’t help but spend more money by purchasing a little magazine or maybe some breath mints. And those of us with children, it can become a nightmare to get your child to pass these items without wanting something.

How big are the shopping carts and trolly’s?

Big shopping carts are now in all the big department stores that sell everything from electrical to clothing and underwear. They are definitely there to entice you to spend more money, as some people do almost feel guilty for not filling it up with items. What are they implying?

Cash is available 24-7

Gone are the days, when you used to have to wait for the bank to open to get your money. Automatic Teller Machines scattered on the streets, in the shops and even the pubs, make it very easy to grab that extra bit of cash when needed. How easy is it to buy what ever you want and pay with a credit card or debit card. Who needs to have cash in their pocket when almost everyone has a card of some sort.

No wonder people spend more money than they have. I hope these simple facts will help you realise that you may not need what you are buying. Open your eyes to these misconceptions and you will save money easily.

Why is everyone keeping up with the Jones’s.

15 Quick Tips On How To Save Mone

How successful your business might end up depends upon your marketing strategy. Making people aware of your existence in the market requires a promotional product campaign. Promotional products usually used are pens, mugs, t-shirts, key chains, and others. They are used to deliver your message to the audience about your product or your organization.

When you start a promotional campaign one thing you must be is patient, as the results might not be as early as you might think. The promotional items should be given as a gift or at a very low price, as the person who is buying it will be doing you a favor. Almost everyone loves a gift and will result in a positive feedback from the customer and might lead him/her to recommend your business to others. This always happens no matter how or what type of promotional product a customer receives. You can give away a promotional item at the end of a purchase or you can offer a buy one and get two items free deal.

If you have organized an expo or a launching conference you can give away mugs or pens to people in attendance or you can ask them for their email ids for future promotions. You can also give away promotional products to your employees such as t-shirts or notepads or wall clocks to promote your brand name. They will also feel proud working in an organization they are promoting.

Over the years, statistics and studies have shown that giving away promotional items is not only a great way to gain a customer base but it also helps to strengthen employee loyalty. When you give gifts to your staff, they feel more and more like a part of the team and gives them more drive and determination and creates a positive atmosphere within the organization. And at the same time, whenever the staff wears clothing items with the company name and logo on them, they are marketing your business.

Promotional products help you achieve your marketing goals for a long time. Pens circulate from one person to another, coffee mugs either at your home or your office desk will be serving its marketing purposed as long as it is used.

Clocks in offices, homes or other place will be seen by anyone working or moving past the place, magnets on refrigerators are also a similar item but are not watched as often as a clock. All in all, each and every time your promotional item is seen, your business will be advertised and a step towards your marketing goal will be taken. The customer will remember your name and the message (if any) advertised by the item and might be able to help their friends or others give information about your company and its services.

Once these promotional products are distributed successfully, their advertising message can last for years. In today’s highly competitive market a promotional campaign offers a unique opportunity to get your organization’s name out to its target market.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Black is a promotional and marketing specialist by trade.He has contributed a large range of articles on Promotional Products Australia and personalised promotional bags.

It is very difficult to control your urges to spend when going shopping with peers because they are the most influential people you know. You must realize that you can still earn your peer’s respect, even if you have a clear state of mind to completely control your personal finance, by also helping them to resist peer pressure and the impulse to splurge.

In order to resist the pressure to shop for more than you need, you must find it in yourself to appreciate the things that you do have, and not always lust for those which you do not possess. Everyone can cut back a little on their spending and your friends will appreciate a little help from time to time. Remember that when shopping with peers, you put a pressure on them as much as they do on you. You need to voice out your goals about your personal finance and encourage them to do the same. Learn to enjoy the pleasure of your peers’ company by striving for the same goals when shopping, you’ll not only save money but also earn their respect.

One lesson we all know is that friends and money do not mix.

Here are some great ideas to share with your peers when you go shopping:

1. Make a Shopping List.

By planning and using a shopping list, you can save money while shopping with your peers because your list will help you prevent impulse purchases and ensures you only buy what you really need. If you are tempted to buy something, try to check your list first, there’s a chance that you’ll lose interest when your list reminds you that it is not one of the things that you need.

2. Only Bring the Cash You Need.

If you only have in your pocket a small amount of cash enough to cover all the things in your shopping list, then that is all you will be able to spend. There will be no impulse buying because it causes you to be more careful and thorough when you are spending our money. You can’t really do this with a credit or debit card on hand because it is too easy to not worry about the money until you get the bill.

3. Always Compare Prices.

Just because something is on sale does not mean that it’s cheap. Give shops a quick call to compare prices of the items you’re looking for. Given the high cost of living these days, you can’t be accused of being cheap for looking to browse around to save a few dollars.

4. Buy Fashion Basics and Classics.

It’s best to purchase and spend more money on classic pieces that will stay in style for years to come, rather than trendy pieces that will only last you a few months. Before you buy anything, ask yourself if you can mix and match it with your current wardrobe and then figure how often you’ll actually wear it. By shopping for and selecting certain classic pieces that you can make special every day with layering and accessories, you can have an all purpose, tasteful wardrobe that will suit your fashion needs.

5. Don’t shop when you’re bored.

Sometimes when you have nothing to do, you find the most ridiculous excuse to fill that void by buying something you don’t actually need. Only shop when you have a valid reason; besides, taking the extra time to evaluate merchandise is a good way to escape boredom and save money.

6. Sleep on it first.

You think that really want to buy something? Put it down, leave the store, and buy it tomorrow. Sometimes the excitement of seeing new things and the effect of the beautiful displays makes people think that they need it otherwise. Sleep on it first because chances are, you’ll realize you did not really want it and you’ll be delighted you saved money by skipping that buy.

7. Find great deals online.

Shopping online has become very popular because you can usually find great shopping deals online. Internet Stores have lower prices and better deals on just about anything compared to brick and mortar retail stores because they have lower overhead expenses and they can pass on their savings to the consumers. They are extremely convenient and can offer a large selection of products.

8. Do it yourself.

You can save a lot of money by learning how to do things yourself (DIY to save money). In these times of economic crisis, change your way of thinking and get creative. Instead of rushing out to buy something new, learning to work with what you’ve got.

9. Know your Sales.

Store sales always entice you to spend a little more than they mean to, whether it’s a marketing gimmick or real slashing of prices for product movement. Regardless of the amount that has been cut off from the original price, it is not worth spending you money if you have no use for it. Know what sales are applicable to you and only take advantage of that.

10. Shop Out of Season.

If you’re really interested in saving money while still wearing stylish clothes you need to learn how to shop out of season. This way, you’ll be able to get all the clothes you need for the next season at an amazing discount, and you are not as likely to go over your budget. Remember to buy classic pieces so that it will not look dated by the time you wear it.

11. There is no shame in Haggling.

If you think you’re not really getting the best deals, talk to the salesperson or shop owner and ask if the price can be lowered. Do not haggle if you’re not really interested in the item; simply ask for their best price if you’re just looking around. If don’t get the price you want, just walk away. Try looking for a better deal or just come back when the item goes up on sale.

12. See if Your Peers Will Split It.

If there are any shop that offer ‘buy one take one’ items that you really like, ask your peers if someone is willing to split it with you.

13. Borrow, barter, or buy thrift.

One way to save and stop possessions from accumulating in your life is to not own everything you use. You can swap for things you don’t need for things that you do. Borrow items whenever you can. And if you can’t, consider buying second hand first and you’ll be able to save a significant amount of money.

14. Save Your Receipts.

Sometimes when you buy something at the store and you take it home, you realize that it’s not really what you want. Give yourself a chance to change your mind by getting into a habit of keeping the receipts and tags on until you are sure about the purchase.

15. Give honest opinions.

When you feel like your peers are buying something they don’t really need, don’t encourage them to spend money just so you don’t feel guilty about your own purchases. By doing this, your peers will trust your opinions more and eventually respect your practicality.

Ally is part of the team that manages Home Loan Finder, a free mortgage broker and home loan interest rates comparison service in Australia. Before joining HLF, she was a Media Planner with McCann Worldgroup Philippines, Inc., with award-winning executions, including the Levi’s 501 “Live Unbuttoned” global campaign.

Being female, (I am told by my male acquaintances) means that I can get what I want by just wearing a skirt! I agree, to a certain degree. If you have a good pair of legs and a nice cleavage, you have a good chance of sending the male into a frenzy, and he’s likely to do almost anything for you.

I’ve got to say that we females are not much different, we also go a little ‘ga ga’ for a bronze, muscled hunk. Personally, I believe if you have these assets then use them. It can put money in your pocket and also save you money. By this I don’t mean you are sitting on your purse!!

However, if you walk into a shop and find yourself a male salesman, I guarantee a bit of charm and sex appeal will get you a better deal. So it might pay you to dress up a little before going shopping, put on that cheeky, flirty sex appeal that you may have forgotten that you had, and you will not only get a good deal, but it may even boost your ego.

Getting the best deal

If the circumstances were reversed, wouldn’t you want to give a charming male, with a sexy smile and flirtatious way, the best possible deal? We are all sexual beings, who want to be liked, and most of us will fall for a charming individual.

Of course some of us may not feel so young or flirtatious anymore. Like me, you could be an aging mother of three, but you can also use this to your advantage. Treat the young male or female salesman like you would your son or daughter. Show them warmth and charm and you never know that friendly motherly charm might just get you a good deal. We all respond to a friendly smile, and if it can win them over, we may get a better deal.

I have found it an advantage having 3 noisy children, as they seem to realize the sooner I’m served, the quicker we will get out of their shop and leave them in peace and quiet. So use those God given gifts to your full advantage. The friendlier you are, the more chance you will have of getting a good deal.

The same applies to those looking for work. Dress well, put on a friendly smile and try to act confident. You will have a far better chance of landing the job than the nervous, fidgety person who forgets to smile. Put on your hidden charm ladies and gentlemen. It’ll make you feel happier in yourself and its also likely to find that perfect job or get that better deal.

With over 609 Millions cards issued in the USA only, credit card payment is one of the most used payment system in the World. Although very useful and highly convenient, this little piece of plastic can also lead to debt and financial difficulties.
Knowing your credit card a little better can help you maximise its benefits and avoid any bad surprise.

1. Do not over-use it: As most things, credit cards need to be used with moderation. It will avoid to pay a large amount of interest.
2. Keep it safe: Your credit card should be kept in a safe place at all time. The best place to store it is your wallet. When you use you card, make sure you replace it in your wallet. Do not leave it on your desk or on a table as it could be lost or stolen.
3. Car Insurance: You might be eligible for free rental car insurance: It is worth checking this with your card provider because you can easily save a few hundred dollars in the process of hiring a car for a longer holiday.
4. Adjust Your Credit Limit: If you have a large credit limit that you do not use, reduce it. If you are planning on going on holiday or making a big purchase, make sure to increase your limit.
5. Benefits from Warranty: It is quite common that credit card companies offer warranty. This saves you from having to pay for extended warranty periods. Check with your lender to be sure.
6. Keep your Statement & Dockets: Sending your credit card statement to the rubbish bin at the end of the month, could be a risk . Scammers can then find it and use it against you. Dockets look pretty safe, but they contain information (numbers) that can be used. Using credit card number generators, scammers can use it against you.
7. Interest Free DaysMost credit cards will offer you an interest-free period of around 55 days. This means that you can make purchases on your card and not be charged interest for up to 55 days if you have paid the balance to zero during the previous interest-free period.
8. Maximise Your Rewards: Reward credit cards offer incentive programs to make you pay more on credit cards. These rewards can get you discounts.
9. Think about a Debit Card: If you do not need a credit card, opt for a debit card. They offer some advantages.

After spending you money on holiday, September is more about saving than spending money. Summer is over and Autumn is coming fast ,so you might need a few new garments to stay warm and trendy. Do not worry if your clothing budget has taken a hit, follow our shopping tips and you will be able to renew your wardrobe at low cost.

1) Spend more time and Less Money

Time is money! So spend more time and you will save money. Very often, we tend to rush our purchase. It is quite hard to resist to buy clothes you like, when they are in front of you, but a little patience can save you money. Prices vary from shop to shop, so spend a bit more time shopping around and you will be able to save money. Quite often, shops on less crowded street as less expensive than those on big shopping malls.

2) Update your Negotiating Skills

With the rise of clothing franchise, negotiating is not as popular as before. Franchise and big chain stores won’t often accept to negotiate prices, however independent and small shops are more open and are often likely to knock off a few bucks if you buy 2 or more items in their store.
Remember, the hardest thing in negotiating is to dare doing it!

3) Recycling also works with Clothes

Recycling is good for the environment , but it can also be a good thing for your wallet. It is quite amazing a to browse second hand clothes because the range is huge, colorful and clothes are often in very good condition. You might not find clothes from the latest fashion, but you might be able to find one of these vintage piece of garment that will amaze everyone.

4) Check Online

Most online stores have lower margins than traditional retailers, so shop online and benefit from proper discounts. For example In City Fashion, offers women’s dresses up to 40% off.
You will be amaze how quick your order will arrive and you will not only save money, but a lot of time too. To take advantage of free delivery you have to buy a certain amount, so make sure you do all your shopping at once.
To be sure that the clothes will fit you, do not hesitate to go to a traditional shop to try the clothes. Remember the size and purchase it online.

5) Wait a bit, it will get Cheaper

Shopping off-season is great way to save money on clothing. Once the rush is finish, shopping centres often discount the remaining stock to clear it. Shop for your winter clothes in spring and get your summer clothes in advance when Autumn hits.

There is no denying that buying new things for yourself or others feels great…kind of like a therapy…

However, the true meaning of therapy is ongoing benefit and while impulse purchases make you feel good at the time, they can make you feel worse later. This is often because when you make a purchase on impulse you are thinking about fulfilling an immediate need, rather than thinking about how practical the item is, or whether you can really afford it. As a result you can end up spending money on an impulse which could have been put to better use elsewhere, or you charge the impulse buy to your credit card when you can’t afford to repay it and as a result you pay for the purchase many times over in interest charges.

How to Spot an Impulse Buy

The first step to curbing a behaviour is recognising it, and impulse buying is much more than just those people who sit on the couch ordering from infomercials. Impulse buys can also catch you out:

At the supermarket. Supermarkets are designed to encourage you to buy on impulse, that is why the milk is always at the back of the store. You can also save hundreds of dollars every year on groceries simply by making a list before you leave home, and sticking to that list once at the supermarket. You avoid filling your trolley with ‘I think we need this’ and you can exercise discipline by buying only from your list, not from something which is on special but which will go off in the cupboard waiting for you to use it.

At a sale. Clothing, shoes and other nonessential items are easy to pick up on impulse because there always seems to be a sale. However, even if you really do need a new pair of jeans or a suit for work, if you buy in impulse without considering if you can afford it, you can pay for it in the long run.

For the kids. Wanting to spoil your kids is another easy way to get into impulse buys because you pick up clothes or toys or lollies when you’re on a shopping mission for something else without considering if the purchase is in the budget.

As a romantic impulse. Finding the opportunity to spend time with your partner can be hard so if you decide on an impulse to go on a weekend away you may think you’re doing everything right. Unfortunately one of the biggest sources of tension in relationships is money, and if your romantic impulse buy costs more in interest charges or late bill payments down the track, you could be causing more problems.

How to Avoid Impulse Purchases

Sometimes it is nice to be impulsive but there is a difference between being impulsive and making impulse purchases. Impulse purchases are not in the budget, and are often charged to the credit card. Being impulsive shouldn’t have negative ramifications, so you need to know how to avoid making costly impulse purchases.

Luckily avoiding the negative side of impulse purchases can be avoided with a few simple rules:

Don’t keep your credit card in your wallet. You’ll be less likely to deem a sale as an emergency if you don’t have any way to pay for the purchase. If you choose a credit card as your emergency fund then it will only work if you keep it for emergencies only, otherwise you are just accumulating unnecessary credit card debt.

Have a non-linked savings account. Keep your savings in an account you can’t access with your ATM, EFTPOS card or debit card. Ideally an online savings account held by a different institution to the one which holds your transaction accounts will require several days to transfer funds out, restricting your access to fund an impulse.

Make a budget. If you have a detailed budget you know how much money is coming in and going out, you have allocated funds to your savings plan and you know how much is left over for incidental spending. This turns an impulse buy into a one off expense you can afford, because there is room in the budget.

Cost vs use. Use this method at the point of sale to determine how much you really need the item. Divide the cost by the number of times you expect to use the item, and then consider whether the cost per use of the item is reasonable. This forces you to stop and think about your purchase and whether you really need it.

Plan an impulse. You don’t have to give up on impulsive indulgences, just plan for them. Plan a shopping trip once a month with a budget in mind, plan to buy the kids one new toy a month or plan a movie night at home where you can indulge in some snacks and chocolates which were once expensive impulse buys at the supermarket. And of course don’t forget to plan for your romantic impulsive indulgences.

Alban is personal finance writer at Home Loan Finder, he helps people to choose the best investment home loan

If spending money, frequent shopping sprees, and the sound of a cash register ringing makes you happy, then you have a problem. If you actually like handing money over to the shop assistant to see them smile, then you have a problem. If you are constantly buying items that you had no intention of buying, then you have a problem. Here are a few sure signs to confirm that your money spending habits are out of control.

Do you have a shopping and spending problem?

1. You are constantly trying to justify what you have spent on the most recent spending sprees with new excuses..

2. You hide things such as bank statements, credit card statements, purchase receipts.

3. You have clothes in our cupboard that still have prices tags on them. Some are even in the shopping bag they came in.

4. You are always redecorating your house in order to justify shopping sprees and spending money.

5. You were always an honest person, until someone started to get curious about you spending money, and you had to lie.

6. You remove price tags and say you got the item on sale.

7. You see things when you are shopping, then decide you desperately need it? There was no plan to spend money on something you actually need.

8. You juggle your families finances to hide the fact that you have spent so much money shopping.

9. You buy things for other people and then convince them that they need it.

10. You are the happiest when you are shopping and spending money.

Here’s some ideas to help you stop spending money.

1. Stop the secrets. Tell people you have a problem and they will help you.

2. Find out why you feel the need to go spending money even though you cannot afford it.

3. Get your spouse or a friend to do your shopping for you. Don’t go to the shops until you can control yourself.

4. Cut up your credit cards. Do not carry cash in your pockets.

5. Write a list of all your purchases so you can see clearly what you have spent.

6. Stop and think about it. Do you want to end up in debt up to your ears, risking everything you have.

7. Get some self control. Do not let yourself get into financial trouble.

Having $100 in your pocket always will make you feel better than just having spent it on something you really didn’t want? Curve your shopping habits and stop spending money. If you can’t possibly stop spending money and going shopping then you should probably seek professional help.

People cringe at the thought of buying food that is packaged with a generic brand such as Black and gold. They have this predetermined idea that the food in these packets is somehow sub-standard and is uncool to be seen buying. Even though it is so much cheaper than the regular branded foods, it is still avoided like the plague, unless of course you really are can’t afford anything else. In this day and age with most countries caught up in a worldwide recession, I believe it is better to save money even if you have plenty.

Just to have a bit of fun I invited some rather snobby friends to dinner, cooked 90% of the meal with no name goods, and then watched them eat it. They liked it.

Here they were raving about how nice the meal was and one guest even asked for the recipe. When I told them that it was all no-name food they would not believe me. Unfortunately I was not going to get the packaging out the the rubbish bin to prove my point. Their reaction really shocked me because it was like they had never had no-name food. I hate to see them actually end up poor one day and have to eat this stuff. Unfortunately they all are trying to keep up with the Jones.

Anyway, as far as experiments go, it was a success. I really never had a problem with using no-name foods before, and this just reinforced my views.

Reason why people do not buy Black and Gold or No-name food

1. People might see them buying it and think they are poor Well that’s all about their personal image. If they care what other people think of them, then that is their problem. Rich people did not get rich by wasting money.
2. They think the food is of substandard quality It’s like anything you buy. There are good things and bad things in every product range.
3. It is too cheap Sometimes people think that you get what you pay for. But I also know that if you shop around you can always save money.
4. It might be imported It may well be imported but how do you know the brand name items are not also imported. The companies have sneaky techniques when labeling the products origin.

My children absolutely love two minute noodles in a cup which cost anywhere from $1.00 up to 1.50. This doesn’t sound like much, however when you buy a bulk pack of no-name two minute noodles they are around $1.40 for 6 times as much food, minus the fancy cups. There is an easy saving of $5.00 just on two minute noodles. For the basic ingredients of cooking, you cannot go wrong with the cheaper no-name brands. For example, baking a cake needs flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. As far as I am concerned these ingredients are all the same. Milk, cream, and cheese all come from a cow, and the taste is irrelevant when using these ingredients for cooking.

Everyone at one time or another will find something they like and will buy in the no-name range. Here are some of my ideas on what to buy or what not to buy.

Things you shouldn’t buy in the no-name product range

1. Easter Eggs or boxed chocolates The no-name or cheaper chocolates or Easter eggs taste like sugar and sometimes have granules in them. For the chocolate lovers you could never have an un-branded chocolate in your mouth.
2. Toothpaste For some reason they always taste funny and leave a chalky film on your teeth. I consider my teeth to be very important and therefore will not compromise on toothpaste.
3. Shampoo and Conditioner Correct me if I am wrong, however the no-name shampoos and conditioners do not do anything! Maybe if you are bald they might work for you.
4. Baked beans and Spaghetti All the no-name branded baked beans and spaghetti I have had was filled with a lot of sauce. Once you drain this out you might be left with half a can of the actual food.
5. Some biscuits Some biscuits taste like cardboard and others are fine. It’s trial an error for the biscuit section. I usually buy crackers that will be used with dip but will not buy fake tim tams covered with fake chocolate.

Items you should buy in the no-name product range

1. Noodles Surely a noodle is a noodle. Do I need to say more? Save your money and buy the cheaper noodles because they will all end up the same way.
2. Rice I have tried both branded and no-name rice and have find the cheaper one to turn out just the same. If you overcook the rice it will turn to mush anyway.
3. Toilet Paper This is something we are going to flush down the toilet. Don’t be too fussy about what brand you get. Add up your savings when you buy a cheap brand.. It is amazing..
4. Medicines and tablets Now days when you get a prescription the chemist or pharmacy assistant may ask if you would like to try a generic brand of medicine. I have done this a few times as most of the time they contain identical ingredients and do the same job. You can save between 5 and $10 sometimes.
5. Flours, sugar, Salt, pepper These items are usually used as an ingredient in cooking. Who cares what brand they are. If you are a bad cook anyway, the food will still taste bad.
6. Bread I don’t know about the quality of the individual store brands, however there is no problem using this bread for making toast. I am a little bit fussier with a fresh salad sandwich, it has to nice bread for that.
7. Milk, cream, and cheese Any of these dairy products are great to buy, especially if used in cooking. However, if you wanted cheese for a platter you may need to buy a more mature cheese, which will cost more.

Generally I go for the cheaper brands that have proved to be up to the same standard of the branded items. I also try to buy local products if possible. However in the end it is a personal choice, and I know that you can make drastic savings on your grocery bill by using even a few no-name food items.