Product #10 - Toilet Paper:
Today I am reviewing toilet paper. I am comparing Cottonelle to Target's Up and Up brand. There is a clear difference between these two brands in my opinion. The Cottonelle is much thicker than the Up and Up brand. Both feel equally as soft but since the Cottonelle is so much thicker, one could safely assume that you could use much less to do the job. In that case, you could also assume that the name brand would last longer than the store brand which hypothetically could cancel out any savings. Trying to tell my 3 year old to use less could be challenging though. Anyway, TP is a very personal preference so I will go ahead and say the name brand is probably the best choice but again, it is subjective.
The Cost Comparison (as of 3/19/11 at Target):
Cottonelle 18 roll pack (545.4 sq ft) - 11.99
Target's Up and Up 18 roll pack (572 sq ft) - 9.99
There is approximately a 2.00 savings with the store brand but since the name brand is so much thicker, it is a wash, in my opinion and the name brand just seems better to me.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Paper Towels - Store Brand or Name Brand?
Product #9 - Paper Towels:
Today I am reviewing paper towels to see if the name brand does the best job or if the store brand can be a great substitute. I chose the Bounty brand and Target's Up and Up brand. Both have almost an equal thickness. If I had to be really picky, I would say that the Bounty brand is a little bit thicker. Both worked great on glass and both were comparable in absorbency. I actually got the two mixed up during my tests and thought that what was the Target brand was actually the Bounty brand. Once I looked back at the package, I saw the pattern and realized my mistake. That should be proof enough that the store brand can be purchased instead of the name brand without sacrificing quality.
The Cost Comparison (as of 3/15/11 at Target):
Bounty (8 roll pack - 495.7 sq ft) - 12.49
Target's Up and Up (8 roll pack - 462 sq ft) - 9.99
With approximately a 2.00 savings, I would say that the store brand is very comparable to the name brand and is a great buy.
Today I am reviewing paper towels to see if the name brand does the best job or if the store brand can be a great substitute. I chose the Bounty brand and Target's Up and Up brand. Both have almost an equal thickness. If I had to be really picky, I would say that the Bounty brand is a little bit thicker. Both worked great on glass and both were comparable in absorbency. I actually got the two mixed up during my tests and thought that what was the Target brand was actually the Bounty brand. Once I looked back at the package, I saw the pattern and realized my mistake. That should be proof enough that the store brand can be purchased instead of the name brand without sacrificing quality.
The Cost Comparison (as of 3/15/11 at Target):
Bounty (8 roll pack - 495.7 sq ft) - 12.49
Target's Up and Up (8 roll pack - 462 sq ft) - 9.99
With approximately a 2.00 savings, I would say that the store brand is very comparable to the name brand and is a great buy.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Store Brand or Name Brand?
Product #8 - Sharp Cheddar Cheese Block:
Today I am reviewing Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I compared three different brands. Costco's Kirkland Brand, Target's Market Pantry and Kraft. I purchased the Target and Kraft brands in the same 8oz package (though the Market Pantry comes in a 1 lb block as well at my Target) and Costco's in the only size available, 2lbs. After a blind taste test between my husband and myself, we agreed on the following: The Kraft brand came in first place, having a creamy texture and a strong sharp cheddar flavor. The Target Market Pantry came in second having also a nice sharp flavor though not as nice of a creamy texture. The Costco Kirkland Brand came in third place having not as strong of a sharp flavor and also not as creamy as the name brand. So, in conclusion, we would rate the name brand the highest. When considering the huge savings though on the Costco Brand, I will continue to buy it as I think it tastes great and the price difference is amazing.
The Cost Comparison (as of 3/15/11 at Target and Costco): Target, Costco and Kraft:
Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8oz) - 2.49
Target's Market Pantry Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8oz) - 2.09
Costco's Kirkland Signature Sharp Cheddar Cheese (2lbs or 32oz) - 4.99
The Kraft brand (purchased in the 8oz package) is almost twice as much as the Costco brand. Therefore, if savings is what you are after, I would definitely recommend the Costco Brand as there is not a huge taste difference. If you are going purely on taste and texture, I would recommend the Kraft brand.
Today I am reviewing Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I compared three different brands. Costco's Kirkland Brand, Target's Market Pantry and Kraft. I purchased the Target and Kraft brands in the same 8oz package (though the Market Pantry comes in a 1 lb block as well at my Target) and Costco's in the only size available, 2lbs. After a blind taste test between my husband and myself, we agreed on the following: The Kraft brand came in first place, having a creamy texture and a strong sharp cheddar flavor. The Target Market Pantry came in second having also a nice sharp flavor though not as nice of a creamy texture. The Costco Kirkland Brand came in third place having not as strong of a sharp flavor and also not as creamy as the name brand. So, in conclusion, we would rate the name brand the highest. When considering the huge savings though on the Costco Brand, I will continue to buy it as I think it tastes great and the price difference is amazing.
The Cost Comparison (as of 3/15/11 at Target and Costco): Target, Costco and Kraft:
Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8oz) - 2.49
Target's Market Pantry Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8oz) - 2.09
Costco's Kirkland Signature Sharp Cheddar Cheese (2lbs or 32oz) - 4.99
The Kraft brand (purchased in the 8oz package) is almost twice as much as the Costco brand. Therefore, if savings is what you are after, I would definitely recommend the Costco Brand as there is not a huge taste difference. If you are going purely on taste and texture, I would recommend the Kraft brand.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Oat and Honey Granola Bars - Store Brand or Name Brand?
Product #7 - Oat and Honey Crunchy Granola Bars:
Today I am reviewing and comparing Oat and Honey Granola Bars. The Nature Valley brand and the comparable product from Target and Wal-Mart's store brands. All three come in 6 - 1.5 oz/2 bar packs. While the ingredients are similar in all three, there are differences which I believe affect the taste. In my opinion, the Nature Valley brand is the most "natural" and has the most "whole" ingredients. Target would be next in line in this category with Wal-Mart in third place. On a taste level, I would rate them in the same order: Nature Valley, Target then Wal-Mart. I would definitely buy the Target Market Pantry brand as it does compare well and is close to the Nature Valley brand. I would take a pass at the Wal-Mart Great Value Brand however. The taste is too dissimilar and the ingredients are not as "natural" as the other two brands. There is not a huge difference in price but neither is there in taste with the Target brand so I would choose the Target brand unless the Nature Valley happens to be on sale which it often is.
The Cost Comparison - Nature Valley, Target's Market Pantry and Wal-Mart's Great Value Oats 'N Honey Granola Bars (as of 2/12/11 at Wal-Mart and 2/18/11 at Target):
Nature Valley: 2.50 at Wal-Mart and 2.69 at Target
Target's Market Pantry: 2.44
Wal-Mart's Great Value: 2.00
You would save .25 while shopping at Target and switching to the Market Pantry brand. This is a decent savings and in my opinion worth the switch though the savings is not as dramatic as it is with other products. Though the Great Value brand is a much larger savings, I would not recommend the switch as the taste is too different.
Today I am reviewing and comparing Oat and Honey Granola Bars. The Nature Valley brand and the comparable product from Target and Wal-Mart's store brands. All three come in 6 - 1.5 oz/2 bar packs. While the ingredients are similar in all three, there are differences which I believe affect the taste. In my opinion, the Nature Valley brand is the most "natural" and has the most "whole" ingredients. Target would be next in line in this category with Wal-Mart in third place. On a taste level, I would rate them in the same order: Nature Valley, Target then Wal-Mart. I would definitely buy the Target Market Pantry brand as it does compare well and is close to the Nature Valley brand. I would take a pass at the Wal-Mart Great Value Brand however. The taste is too dissimilar and the ingredients are not as "natural" as the other two brands. There is not a huge difference in price but neither is there in taste with the Target brand so I would choose the Target brand unless the Nature Valley happens to be on sale which it often is.
The Cost Comparison - Nature Valley, Target's Market Pantry and Wal-Mart's Great Value Oats 'N Honey Granola Bars (as of 2/12/11 at Wal-Mart and 2/18/11 at Target):
Nature Valley: 2.50 at Wal-Mart and 2.69 at Target
Target's Market Pantry: 2.44
Wal-Mart's Great Value: 2.00
You would save .25 while shopping at Target and switching to the Market Pantry brand. This is a decent savings and in my opinion worth the switch though the savings is not as dramatic as it is with other products. Though the Great Value brand is a much larger savings, I would not recommend the switch as the taste is too different.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Men's Shaving Gel: Store Brand or Name Brand?
Product #6 - Men's Shaving Gel:
Today I am reviewing and comparing the Edge Brand's Sensitive Skin Shaving Gel to Target's Up and Up Store Brand's Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin with Aloe. Both products are very similar however my husband says that the Up and Up brand doesn't lather up quite as well. It does moisturize quite well though he says and other than the lathering, he doesn't notice a difference. I think the packaging on the Up and Up brand isn't quite as nice. The plastic "button" on the top that you press to release the gel seems cheaply made, like it could break easily. However, my husband believes that these two issues are not enough to keep him from switching from the name brand to the store brand and therefore, we will be switching to the Up and Up brand as the savings are great.
The Cost Comparison: Edge Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin to Target's Up and Up Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin with Aloe (prices as of 2/18/11 at Target):
Edge (7oz): 1.97
Up and Up (8.75oz): .98
The Up and Up shave gel costs approx. .11 / oz and the Edge costs approx. .28 / oz. Therefore, the Up and Up is a much better buy and in my opinion, worth the switch.
Today I am reviewing and comparing the Edge Brand's Sensitive Skin Shaving Gel to Target's Up and Up Store Brand's Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin with Aloe. Both products are very similar however my husband says that the Up and Up brand doesn't lather up quite as well. It does moisturize quite well though he says and other than the lathering, he doesn't notice a difference. I think the packaging on the Up and Up brand isn't quite as nice. The plastic "button" on the top that you press to release the gel seems cheaply made, like it could break easily. However, my husband believes that these two issues are not enough to keep him from switching from the name brand to the store brand and therefore, we will be switching to the Up and Up brand as the savings are great.
The Cost Comparison: Edge Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin to Target's Up and Up Men's Shaving Gel Sensitive Skin with Aloe (prices as of 2/18/11 at Target):
Edge (7oz): 1.97
Up and Up (8.75oz): .98
The Up and Up shave gel costs approx. .11 / oz and the Edge costs approx. .28 / oz. Therefore, the Up and Up is a much better buy and in my opinion, worth the switch.
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