Facial Tissue: Store Brand or Name Brand?

Product #15 - Facial Tissue:

Facial Tissue is one of those products that everyone just calls by the most popular brand name, Kleenex. "Quick, I'm gonna sneeze - pass me a FACIAL TISSUE!!" Another example of this would be Band-Aids. I don't even know what else to call them. Anyway, today I will be comparing the good old Kleenex brand to Target's Up and Up brand Facial Tissue. Both come in a box of 100 and in a variety of colorful patterns. Both have the plastic sleeve that you tear off and the oval opening that you try and rip off without tearing the rest of the box. I found this equally challenging on both boxes. Once you manage to not destroy the box, both tissues come out just as well. There doesn't seem to be a huge difference between the two. I would say that the Kleenex brand is a little softer and the Up and Up brand feels a little thicker. I don't think that the difference is enough to stick with the Kleenex brand, in my opinion.

The Cost Comparison: Kleenex vs. Target's Up and Up (as of 4/27/11 at Target):

Kleenex (100 count) - 1.62
Up and Up (100 count) - 1.39

If you switched to the Target brand, you could save .23 a box. Doesn't seem like much but when you add up these small savings over a whole shopping trip, it really makes a difference in your wallet.

Children's Gummy Multivitamins: Store Brand or Name Brand?

Product #14 - Children's Gummy Vitamins:

Today I am comparing L'il Critters Gummy Vites to Target's Up and Up Children's Gummy Multivitamins. Both come in different sizes but I have the 190 count bottles. I have always purchased the L'il Critters but since our bottle is almost empty I picked up the Target brand to do a comparison and see if it is worth the savings. Both bottles are the same size and shape. The vitamins are the same colors and shape (little bears). Remember to keep these high up and out of reach of your little ones because these look and taste just like gummy bears. The vitamin and mineral content is identical. There is 1 gram less sugar though in the Up and Up brand which is nice. The ingredients are almost identical with a couple of minor differences as you get further down the list. Both use natural colors and flavors which is great. I really don't see much difference at all. They taste the same, look the same, have the same amount of vitamins and minerals and are almost the same when it comes to ingredients so therefore I would say Target's Up and Up brand is a great buy.

The Cost Comparison - L'il Critters vs. Target's Up and Up (as of 4/22/11 at Target):

L'il Critters Gummy Vites (190 count) - 10.69
Target's Up and Up Children's Gummy Multivitamin (190 count) - 9.24

That's a savings of 1.45! Well worth the switch, in my opinion.

Organic Squeeze Yogurt Tubes - Store Brand or Name Brand?

Product #13 - Strawberry Squeeze Low-fat Yogurt Tubes:

Today I am reviewing and comparing Stonyfield Organic Yokids Strawberry Squeezers and Trader Joe's Organic Strawberry Squishers. Both come in packs of 8 - 2oz tubes. Both have the same packaging and are easy to open. The ingredients are identical. I actually can't tell any difference between the two. Both taste great and my 3 year old loves the yogurt. They are also great in the freezer for a frozen treat. So far my Trader Joe's only carries the strawberry flavor but perhaps in the future they will make the other flavors that Stonyfield makes. Though Strawberry is best as it has less sugar than the other varieties. Anyway, I highly recommend the switch!

The Cost Comparison (as of 4/19/11 at Trader Joe's and 4/14/11 at Target):

Stonyfield (8-2oz tubes) - 3.79
Trader Joe's (8-2oz tubes) - 2.79

That's a difference of 1.00!! That is huge in my opinion. Especially since the ingredients are the same and they both taste identical. Well worth the switch....

Sandwich Bags - Store Brand or Name Brand?

Product #12 - Sandwich Bags:

Today I am reviewing disposable sandwich bags. I am comparing the Ziplock Brand to Wal-Mart's Great Value Store Brand. These little baggies are staples in most households. I decided to see if it is worth it to switch to the store brand or if the trusty Ziplock brand holds true.

Both baggies are about the same size and can hold a peanut butter and jelly sandwich just fine. However, when it comes to the zip top closure, there is a difference. The Wal-Mart brand is more difficult to close and get a good seal. The Ziplock brand closes with one swipe where you have to go over it a couple of times to be sure you have a good seal with the store brand. This may or may not be a big deal to you. I suppose it is a personal decision.

When you compare the prices, there is not much of a difference at all so I think I will stick with the name brand on this one.

The Cost Comparison (as of 4/2/11 at Wal-Mart):

Ziplock Sandwich Bags (120 count) - 2.67
Wal-Mart's Great Value Sandwich Bags (100 count) - 2.18

When you do the math, there is really only about a 5 cent difference between the two, taking in consideration of the different counts in the packages. Therefore, I would stick with the name brand, in my opinion.

Brown Sugar - Store Brand or Name Brand?

Product #11 - Brown Sugar:

Today I am reviewing brown sugar. I am comparing Wal-Mart's Great Value to the C & H brand. Both come in 2 lb bags. There is no difference between these products besides the packaging and the name. They are the SAME. There is a huge price difference. Why are you still buying the name brand?

The Cost Comparison (as of 4/2/11 at Wal-Mart):

C & H Light Brown Sugar (2 lbs) - 2.12
Great Value Light Brown Sugar (2 lbs) - 1.36

There is a .76 price difference. That is a big savings in my opinion. Since the products are the same, it's a no-brainer!