The Scary Mommy Community is a place to find support and camaraderie with amazing moms who love to help one another. We are scattered all around the world, of all different colors and sizes and lifestyles, united by a single thing: motherhood.

Please create a profile to post and for access to all of boards. It's quick and completely painless!

Motherhood Comes Naturally (and other vicious lies) is available in stores, and online, NOW. Do you have it yet? Have you told all your friends and family about it? **Get it, share it, and spread the joy!**
Name brands
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 617Member
    Ok so I am curious to know what name brand things you use in your life that you will not budge on and why. Here are mine:

    Salt and Pepper - only RealSalt Sea salt ( mined in central Utah, unprocessed and retains all the natural trace minerals) and Watkins ground pepper ( sold online or at Target) it's better than even fresh ground pepper

    Toyota - I have owned at Least one Toyota for the last 20 years. Resale value and reliability.

    Cage free eggs - no brand but the idea of the chickens locked in those cages pooping out eggs makes me want to vomit. The visual for cage free is much better.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,052
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,757Member
    Cat Litter!  OMG, learned that lesson, never ever again will I buy the cheap stuff.  The better stuff DOES keep it from smelling like cat when you walk in the door and the cheap stuff doesn't cover up anything even if you scoop the box four times a day.

    Peanut butter -- I know it's not the healthiest but I love love love Peter Pan w/honey and everything else tastes like crap to me.

    Honda/Toyota, won't drive anything else unless it is free.  I'll take a 15 year old Honda or Toyota over a 5 year old pretty much anything else, any day.

    Toilet paper -- Angel Soft

    Shampoo -- Aussie or Dove.  Not super fancy but those are pretty much the only 2 brands for me.

    Trash bags -- Hefty, anything else just rips and frustrates me

    Soda -- I am not a big soda drinker but when I DO drink it it has to be the real deal.  No "cola" off brand, yuck.

    Tea -  Luzianne for iced tea.  I will drink the generic but I don't like it.  At all.


    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,052
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 617Member
    For sure! When we had our cat before we moved into the RV we always used the crystals, tidy cat I think.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,052
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
    well behaved women seldom make history
  • weezerweezer
    Posts: 290Member
    Shampoo and conditioner. My hair is an awkward length right now and really hard to style, so I need all the help I can get keeping it from being a frizzy helmet. I haven't found a single product that actually makes my hair look not-shitty except from a salon. I WISH I could just use Fructis or Pantene, but that is not an option unless I want people asking me "what's wrong with your hair?" I justify the cost because I've cut back to washing my hair only twice a week, so I'm not actually using a lot of shampoo and conditioner.

    Dog food. I only buy Orijen 6 Fish for my dog because she gets violently ill from most kinds of kibble. I tried everything from Iams to Science Diet prescription to Acana to homecooking, and this is the only food that I found that doesn't give her explosive bloody diarrhea.
    Photobucket
  • stinkersmommystinkersmommy
    Posts: 1,322Member
    LUCKY CHARMS that is the one thing on the planet that I NEVER buy generic of. Everything else is fair game
    Glitter Words
    [Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,762Member
    I don't buy name brand anything!! Cereal absolutely tastes better as name brand, but I only get it if its on sale big time. Everything is as cheap as can be!!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • jezebeldelilahjezebeldelilah
    Posts: 338Member
    Toothpaste I love colgate total and have to have it.
    If I do buy luchables if its a busy week then I will only buy name brand. Those off brand ones are gross. Neither are healthy.
    Diet coke my personal addiction I can not substitute. I tried all the off brands and I can tell. Hubs even blind taste tested me and I could tell every time.
  • DaBOMB
    Posts: 275Member
    Cat litter - crystal kind its not tidy cats but the other one just can't remeber, pet food - blue buffalo for the dog purina for the cats, soda - dr. Pepper, toothpaste - crest only, contact solution, and eucerin redness relief for my face.
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,617Member
    Jif peanut butter, Nestea iced tea, hidden valley Ranch, Poise liners and Always pads. Everything else I dont care about... tried off brands of all of those listed and it just didn't cut it.
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • squishsquish
    Posts: 734Member
    Tresemme shampoo and conditioner. Ive tried other brands but my hair is picky and this works best for me.

    Sephora foundation. It actually matches my skin shade and in the long run, I spend less because I only go through it every 4 months or so instead of 1 or 2 with cheaper makeup.

    And nutrigrain cereal bars. I just really don't care for the store brand. Too dry for me.
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 617Member
    I love hearing about this stuff I guess for validation lol. I think I'm encultured to be anti establishment and never buy name brands or something.

    A recent medication change forced me to look at different hair products. I have unruly, partially curly hair so have always bought expensive stuff. I started using baby shampoo and suave basic conditioner for a third of the cost and my hair looks better than ever.

    Do any of you have clothing lines or cleaning products that you are loyal to?
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 617Member
    @irishlass I bow to your frugalness:)
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,770Member
    Sunbeam bread, jiff peanut butter, scott super soft tp, pepsi or pepsi next.
    I can drink just about any ginger ale but off brand cola is yucky.
    I tried walmart peanut butter and gagged and swore not again, thankfully we don't eat a ton of it.
  • tavtas1201
    Posts: 49Member
    Dior airflash foundation.  I noticed once I turned 40, my skin changed.  all my usual foundations would end up leaving my skin flaky and aweful looking by lunch - and my eyes suddenly had crows feet!  Makeup was actually highlightin the damn wrinkles.  6 months of trying stuff from walmart, trying mineral foundations and hating all of it.  This dior stuff had great reviews and I couldn't be happier.  I get compliments on my skin now, and it's a perfect match.  One bottle/can thing lasts me almost 6 months.  
  • MistyStacy_2010MistyStacy_2010
    Posts: 491Member
    Groceries are up for grabs lol I will buy whatever is cheapest.
    Cars...meh not a big Brand girl there I currently drive a Ford Expedition
    Shampoo/Conditioner I use Tressemme
    Face wash and such I use the store brands


    okay now....
    Toothpaste has to be pronamel, I have sensitive teeth and that is all I can use
    Shoes...I am a shoe whorrrre    Sneakers have to be either Nike or Reebok or New Balance. They last longer and I save in the long run
    Clothes...Jeans I only wear levis. They make my butt look amazing!! Shirts Its whatever catches my eye but I shop smart there. I catch sales and end of season blow outs so I save there too
    That is about all I am picky about. 
    You are not my thong, so get out of my ass!!
  • etherieletheriel
    Posts: 713Member
    Only Dr Pepper. Everything else is bought by whatever is the most cost effective.
    If I'm not supposed to do it, how come I can?
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,071Member
    Toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, foundation, mascara. Groceries I refuse to buy name brand unless I can afford the good pop. Clothes and purses I prefer name brand but never pay full price, but I will buy cheap tank tops and such. Shoes have to be name brand but on sale, its not worth having them fall apart in a month but flip flops can be from the dollar store. I refuse to wear fake jewelry lol
    ~slim shady~
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,209Member
    Chips Ahoy...got the store brand once because the package was the same color...they were just nasty.

    I also only get "good" shampoo...anything else makes my scalp itch and bleed, same with make up...thank God, I don't need any right now!

    When I do buy shoes, I splurge because I've learned over the years, that yes, really good quality shoes don't make my feet hurt as badly...or smell.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,757Member
    GypsyMama said:

    I love hearing about this stuff I guess for validation lol. I think I'm encultured to be anti establishment and never buy name brands or something.

    A recent medication change forced me to look at different hair products. I have unruly, partially curly hair so have always bought expensive stuff. I started using baby shampoo and suave basic conditioner for a third of the cost and my hair looks better than ever.

    Do any of you have clothing lines or cleaning products that you are loyal to?



    Yeah, when I was younger I refused to buy name brand anything... now I've learned that sometimes it really makes a difference and saves you money.  In SOME cases only.

    I won't buy cheap dishwashing liquid.  It doesn't suds up and takes more to get the job done so ends up costing more.  So it's usually Dawn for us.   Tried Gain liquid dish soap last time thinking since we liked Gain laundry soap in the past it would be good, but it wasn't.  Disappointing.   Also tried some all natural crunchy granola dish soap that smelled like grapefruit.  Smelled great, hella expensive, sucked.

    I don't like to use bleach or much in the way of harsh stuff, I'm learning to use vinegar, baking soda, borax, etc. to clean and so far so good.   I haven't figured out a way yet to give up dryer sheets even w/all the chemicals because how else would I get rid of the dog hair and cat hair on the clothes?  So yeah I buy name brand dryer sheets (Bounce, Gain) because I found I can use half of one vs. the cheap ones where I need two!

    95% of our clothing comes from thrift stores. So whatever really on that, I am the queen of thrifting and I can get an entire outfit for $5 so if it doesn't last I don't care.  However I am weird about fabrics and buy almost everything 100%  cotton or rayon. I have sensory issues and this determines what everyone wears because I cannot stand to touch poly and blends and I do the laundry around here.   When we do buy new, I like Old Navy for tshirts and Target for cute stuff for DD9 and DW pretty much won't wear anything but Levi's but we still manage to find them at thrifts.

    Now if I had a ton of money?  I'd buy most of my stuff online from the Victorian Training Company catalog or the J. Peterman catalog or maybe Modcloth but that's about style more than anything else.  I was born in the wrong freakin' century for sure!

    With shoes though the boys and DW are Converse people and I like good leather basic boots (the more pirate-y the better) and Birkenstocks for summer. :)  I love shoes of all kinds but I have a bunion and super high arches so most shoes hurt.

    Oh and I do personally love L'Occitane but can never afford anything so... :(
    "But a lesson must be lived
    In order to be learned"

    Ani DiFranco, Manhole
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,209Member
    I like Dawn dishwashing liquid...it's usually one of the less expensive ones, and they use it to clean up oil spills/oil covered marine life with, as well as donate to those organizations that do that kind of clean up.

    And, I like Chlorox Clean Up...I like the way it smells and the way it cleans up pretty much everything.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,617Member
    When I do buy shoes, I splurge because I've learned over the years, that yes, really good quality shoes don't make my feet hurt as badly...or smell.

    ^^ me too
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,209Member
    @PurpleFlowers:  I've also learned that I probably only wear 1 or 2 pairs of them consistently, and then I wear them until they literally fall apart...Saks has great, great sales on shoes a couple of times a year, even better than Nordy's...
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,617Member
    @bellabefana thats what I do too. I wear about 2 or 3 pairs consistently until they wear out. Right now I have 2 pair of Merrell and a pair of New Balance.
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,209Member
    One of my birthday presents to myself, a very late one when I'm back to work, will be a pair of Christian Louboutin's for work, one could only hope I'll find them on sale.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • lilmissbreakmyheartlilmissbreakmyheart
    Posts: 72Member
    groceries, all off brand. i'm cheap. i do buy name brands, but it's usually only due to the off brand looks gross, or there's not one.

    i LOVE any brand of jeans from buckle. i've only bought one pair full price ($110, OUCH!) the others i get on yard sale sights for $20 or $30 for brand new jeans. i love thrift stores. the only thing i won't buy from goodwill is shoes. unless they're new. which is never for me.

    i'm gradually learning to buy better shampoo, only because my hair is crap right now.

  • complicatedmom
    Posts: 53Member
    This cracks me up! I'm not picky about anything, but dh 100% refuses/throws the biggest damn hissy fit if I buy anything but the following: clothes, only namebrand Ecko button up plaid collared tshirts.. only hanes tagless underwear AND tshirts AND socks.. only and I mean only white or blue kswiss tubes for shoes.. arm & hammer scent free dye free laundry detergent.. Heinz 57 ketchup.. suave hairspray.. garnier fructis spray gel.. sure spray deodorant.. qtip brand qtips.. and energizer batteries..
    you want to see a grown ass man throw a fit worthy of a toddler? Buy anything not on this list and try to pass it off with him!
  • nessamommynessamommy
    Posts: 671Member
    Bras have to be from Victoria secret, pinesol is what I use on my wood floors, and redeken for hair products.
    We are a Chevy family, but I (shockingly) drive a Pontiac van.
    Everything else is mostly generic, couponed, or on sale.
    If life gives you lemons, squirt lemon juice in life's eye!
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,617Member
    @complicatedmom that is my Dh too. Seriously thows a fit and wont use stuff if its not the "right" brand.
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • beachmommybeachmommy
    Posts: 2,498Member

    Food stuff, I will buy whatever is cheapest.  I am in the food/beverage processing business and often the food is similar, just a different label. 

    But clothes and especially shoes are always name brand.  I have been getting worse with the shoes lately.  Last 3 pair I have bought were Kate Spade, Chloe and Gucci. 

    I grew up very poor and always vowed to never waste money on unnecessary labels.  But now that I have the $, I have been sucked in. 

    My beach is still Sandy....
Add a Comment