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StitcherMany of us think buying generic brands means we’re being responsible with our finances, but navigating when to opt for off-brand versus name-brand can be a strategic decision between quality and savings. So today we’re replaying one of our most popular episodes of 2024, looking at what experts in their field buy and Tiktok product review videos to know which is worth our money.
You can do the best of both worlds without sacrificing either buying for quality vs. buying for saving money
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Email. As we abandon the cesspool that is social media, we’re turning to email to stay connected. First up: Worse on Purpose, a free newsletter that deep-dives into consumer brands, corporate buyouts, and why our favorite products keep getting worse. Subscribe at worseonpurpose.com.
And if you’re not getting The Friendletter, you’re missing out! I shared Worse on Purpose there a few weeks ago, plus our favorite Budget Toolkit on the last Friday of every month. Want to get on the list? Head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/meals for our 15 emergency meals that are easier than takeout—and you’ll automatically get The Friendletter, too!
When Do Chefs And Doctors Buy Generic?
This article is a study summary by NPR revealing the products pharmacists, doctors, and chefs buy generic and name brands.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
Jill likes the found report last year on pharmacists and doctors being more likely than the general public to buy generic medicine. It was revealed that Chefs choose generic brands for baking supplies, canned goods, frozen foods, condiments, and more. Doctors similarly opt for generic pain medication and certain health products more frequently compared to average consumers. Jen notes that organic generic food is the same as the organic brand name food which can save you money.
Product vs Brand: @orenmeetsworld
Oren John (@orenmeetsworld) is a creative director for luxury brands and e-commerce. He has a Tiktok series called, “Product vs. Brand,” where he gives a summary review on whether you’re buying the product for its quality and functionality or you’re buying the brand.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
For pans, he reviewed popular cookware brands like All-Clad (the best but expensive), Our Place (selling lies), Staub (a product and less expensive than Le Creuset), Caraway (brand), Hex Clad (both), and Le Creuset (both).
Jill mentions water bottles, reflecting on the current trend of seeking sustainability and the choice between buying a product for its unique qualities versus buying a brand for its status or affinity. Water bottle brands like Owala (product), Hydro Flask (brand), Simple Modern (paying for their Amazon SEO), Yeti (brand), Stanley (both), Camelback (product), and Nalgene (brand) were also reviewed by Oren. Jen discovers lesser-known phone brands from Oren’s video such as OnePlus, Motorola Razr, and more.
You can find Jen and Jill’s recommended books at frugalfriendspodcast.com/books and makeup at frugalfriendspodcast.com/makeup.
What branded products wouldn't you mind spending a couple of dollars on?
Jen expresses her loyalty to Apple products, noting their reliability and how they’ve consistently served her well. On the other hand, Jill mentions her preference for the name-brand Ritz crackers specifically for snacking purposes.
Bill of the Week
Thank you Kate for sharing your bill about grandfather, father, brother, nephew, AND student loan debt forgiven – now able to get married.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews and we especially loved this one from:
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Frugal and funny
This podcast is both entertaining and informative. Jen and Jill have a great dynamic and the tools and tips that they provide have been extremely helpful!
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
And keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 