When I started budgeting, I discovered I spent $800 a month on food just for me and my son. I know he's a growing boy, but let's face it — $800 a month for food is a lot of money for the two of us. I knew it was one area where I could make the most improvement, and I decided to buy generic brands to save money.
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I am by no means a blazing a new trail here. A lot of people save money every month when they buy generic or store brands. I know some people swear by brands, and that is OK. We like what we like. If you know somebody who loves Jif peanut butter, then you know they are not going to eat another major brand, never mind a generic or store brand. But you should at least try them, here's why:
When I say generic brands, I am also referring to store brands or private labels. Back in the s, grocery stores started selling a no-name brand. It didn't matter if it was a can of peas or a box of cereal, the packaging was the same: A white package with black lettering. While the packages were not attractive, the prices certainly were. And, people bought the, allowing them to pocket savings every time they picked up one of those no-name products.
Retailers, grocery chains in particular, started creating store brands. Food distributors started their own private labels that they offered to grocery stores that didn't have their own line. The Private Label Manufacturers Association did a survey and reported in that private label sales reached $5.5 billion. This was a jump of 4.4 percent. Would you be surprised to learn it was four times the growth of major, national brands? When you look at sales figures for store brands, it was $129 billion. The PLMA believes there might be another $40 billion in sales that were not included in the survey. That's a lot of money being spent on generic, store and private label brands.
The survey also showed most people like us regularly buy generics, store brands and private labels. Part of the reason why is because they are produced under very high standards. They are made following the same quality standards at the national brands. What I find funny is when you look at some of these relatively unknown brands sold at discount grocery chains, like Save-a-Lot or Aldi, is that the packaging sometimes have the same colors and similar designs as the major brands. This is kind of funny because when generics burst on the scene, the package design was non-existent.
Here is something you might not have known: Sometimes those national brands manufacture products for store brands. So, you are getting the same, exact quality as the major brands. There are some Walmart stores, and it depends on what region the stores are in, that sell Great Value salty snacks like potato and tortilla chips that are made by Frito Lay. So, instead of paying $3 or $4 a bag, you will pay closer to a buck a bag. Not bad, right?
So, you might be wondering, how in the world can companies make these products that have a similar taste and similar quality for 30 to 60 percent less. It comes down to this: Marketing. Think about how expensive it is to hire a creative team to come up with a marketing and advertising campaign; then produce high quality video for ads that will run across the country on national television networks, regional networks, local stations, cable channels, and the internet. Then, think about all the radio networks and radio stations. Then, there are national, regional and local magazines and newspapers. This is millions and millions of dollars each year. Guess who pays for all of that marketing and advertising? That's right, we do.
The companies that manufacture the products under generic, store or private labels do not have to spend money marketing. They just need to get to trade shows and pitch their products to food distributors, wholesalers, brokers and grocery chains. They pass these savings on to you.
I hope you are beginning to see that when you buy generic brands, you are not really sacrificing taste or quality. In fact, sometimes the generic is the exact same product as the national brand. Here is my recipe for saving money with generic brands:
If you are in the minority and have issues with buying anything other than a national brand, do yourself (and your budget!) a favor by at least trying them. You truly have nothing to lose.
Where I live in Washington state, there is a major dairy producer that sells half-and-half cream. You know that I love a little coffee with my half-and-half. Well, when I went to Walmart and compared the ingredient lists of the Great Value brand with the major brand in this area, the nutritional information was the same, and the ingredients were the same. It's not too much of a leap to think they are the same product. The Great Value brand has a great taste, and I can save about 30 percent when I purchase it.
If you have a child in school like I do, then you know how frustrating it can be having to buy over-the-counter medication all the time to help your child battle the germs and illnesses at school. I buy generics and save 20 to 30 percent. The same applies to napkins, tissues, toilet paper, freezer bags, and other staples.
Grocers really want you to try their store brands that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Many of them have a guarantee that if you try their store brand and do not like it, then you can return it, and they will replace it with the national brand. There might be some national brands that generics might not be able to touch in terms of taste, but at least try. That's all I ask.
Think about it, if you are saving from 50 cents to $4 on every generic you purchase, that quickly turns into real cash. That means there is more money you have to pay off your debt, invest in a mutual fund, or save for a rainy day or vacation. When I look at the generic vs. major brand, it just makes sense (or should I say “cents”) to buy generic brands.
My son loves to eat a fruity cereal for breakfast. The price tag for the major brand is actually about $2 less than the generic, but I always buy the generic. This is why: The national brand cereal is 20.5 ounces, and the generic is 40 ounces. If I am just looking at the price tag, I would ignore the generic. However, when I compare the price per ounce, the name brand is 18.4 cents per ounce, and the generic is 14.5 cents an ounce. So, I am saving more than 20 percent when I buy the generic that tastes just as good. It's a no-brainer decision in my house.
I have found generic canned vegetables for about half the cost of the major brand. If you can tell the difference between the two, your taste buds are way more sophisticated than mine. I realize when it comes to food and taste, we have different personal preferences. I get it that the final decision is going to be up to you and your taste buds, but it doesn’t hurt to try these generic brands. You will end up saving money like I have.
If you are willing to try these, the good news is there is no shortage of retailers who offer generic products, whether it is a regional grocery chain in your area, a major retailer, or a drug store. There are so many opportunities to save.
What are some of the discount stores you like to shop and find good deals? I do shop a lot at Walmart because their Great Value and Equate brands can save me money. However, Walmart doesn't have sales — they boast about always having low prices. But, there are times when your local grocery store will have nice sales where you can buy name brands cheaper than the generics. So, be good shoppers and always look for the deals … and savings! And don't forget to download the Ibotta app to save money, too.
One place I look for deals and savings is Dollar Tree. Don't laugh and don't judge me! You know you like Dollar Tree, too. There is just something about being able to buy all this stuff for a dollar. If you have been in a Dollar Tree, which has been growing ever since the Great Recession, then you know you can get national brands, regional brands, and generic brands. Part of the fun of going into a Dollar Tree is to see what deals you can find.
For most of the cleaning industry’s history, chemical dispensing and control was scattershot at best. Building service contractors had to deal with complex dilution ratios, big jugs of highly concentrated chemicals, and janitors mixing chemicals using guesswork, also known as the “glug-glug” method.
This was, and is, a problem for may reasons — too high a concentration and the chemical can damage a surface, cause health and safety issues, and waste money. If the janitor doesn’t use enough concentrate, it won’t be effective. In both cases, workers will likely need to re-do the task, generating lost productivity.
“With chemical proportioners, there is no more guessing when it comes to diluting concentrated chemicals. And without that guesswork, cleaning professionals should see a cost savings on their chemical purchases. For typical users, bulk chemical savings average 15 percent, but for large facilities, savings could go as high as 40 percent.”
“Since chemicals will always be diluted at the correct ratio, chemical waste will be reduced. Units will also eliminate improper mixing, which can either be ineffective or damaging to surfaces, causing more work and additional product. Also, chemical proportioners are often free with the chemical purchases, so there is no upfront cost that could offset savings.”
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“By knowing the proper dilutions, end users will know how much product is going to be used in a given amount of time, allowing purchasers to lock in costs for their budgets.”
“If you’re still not convinced, start tracking your chemical usage. Look at how much was spent before implementing proportioners and compare it to how much chemical was purchased after the introduction of the dispensing unit. Track costs for six to 12 months. If dispensing correctly, you should see a savings.”
-Dan Welton,
Editor, Contracting Profits Magazine
Resource for Janitorial Contract Professionals
Since the s, when the first chemical proportioners came on the market, BSCs have had a variety of choices for ensuring their cleaning chemicals were diluted, dispensed and used properly. These include closet or wall-based proportioning systems; point of use proportioning systems; pre-moistened towels; and ready-to-use chemicals.
Which devices to use in your business is largely a matter of personal and business preference, says Dave Frank, president of KnowledgeWorx, and founder of the American Institute of Cleaning Science in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
“Common sense and safety must prevail,” Frank says. “Control mechanisms as a whole have been one of the top five significant cleaning innovations in recent history. Control helps with quality, safety, cost-effectiveness, training and communication.”
One common method for ensuring bulk concentrates are diluted properly are closet- or wall-based proportioning systems. These systems mount on a wall or table in a janitor’s closet or supply room, and are connected to a water supply. Users load concentrate into the machine (often in a bag or other container that ensures janitors don’t have to touch the concentrate), and the machine dispenses the concentrate, diluted with water, into a bottle or bucket.
“Concentrates are cheaper; you’re not buying water,” says Rick VanderKoy, president of Secure Clean Building Services Inc. in Marengo, Ill. “You can avoid problems with [closet-based] devices; the user doesn’t have the ability to override the dispense, so it’ll all be diluted properly.”
Another method of using concentrates is a point-of-use dilution system. These include bottles with built-in dilution mechanisms; pre-measured packets that are mixed with water in specially sized bottles or buckets; and liquid- or powder-filled packets that dissolve right into the water, wrapper and all. Some systems even include hoses that attach to standard sinks, so the janitor doesn’t need to return to the closet to refill a bottle.
“I see closet-based solution centers, as well as point-of-use mixing devices, being used well into the future,” Frank says. “Chemical control has been around since the s; since then, most daily-use chemicals are dispensed through chemical systems. There aren’t a lot of people using the glug-glug method anymore.”
With most of these methods, concentrates are mixed with water and dispensed in a secondary container, such as a spray bottle, which must be properly labeled according to guidelines from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Labels must include product name, usage guidelines and safety concerns, as well as other information.
“Users are looking more at the [secondary] bottles,” Frank says. “They’re seeking silk-screened labels, that are both color and number-coded. Many people in the cleaning industry can’t read, or can’t understand English, so you need a common, non-lingual communication device.”
Besides cost, another reason BSCs use concentrates is environmental. They want to cut down on packaging, and the fuel involved in shipping water; also, cleaners working in buildings that are involved with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program must use concentrates in order to earn points toward certification, adds Frank.
Even though chemical concentrates are fast becoming the norm in most cleaning operations, ready-to-use (RTU) spray bottles and aerosol cans still are in common use, especially for specialty products which don’t need to be used in large quantities, and for odor-control applications.
For instance, Rich Short, owner of North Shore Office Maintenance in Deerfield, Ill., has a very small company, and he finds RTU chemicals fit his needs. What they cost in added price, they make up for in convenience.
“I’ve never really gotten into the concentrate — I think ready-to-use works out well,” says Short. “I think the chemicals and dilution get too complicated otherwise.”
Although he uses a wall-mounted proportioner for most chemicals, VanderKoy also uses ready-to-use bowl cleaners and acids in his small operation due to their simplicity and efficacy.
“We try to use stuff that works well, for one thing – we try to give people the tools to do the job,” he explains. “We started off doing the cleaning ourselves and we know how frustrating things can be if they don’t work.”
Another RTU method BSCs use to control their chemicals is pre-moistened towels. These paper or cloth towels are shipped with glass cleaner, furniture polish, disinfectant or other chemicals impregnated right into the towel. Users then wipe the towel directly on the surface, and dispose of the towel when they’re finished.
Most BSCs agree that pre-moistened towels are useful for specialty applications only, because they’re generally quite expensive compared to liquid chemicals, especially concentrates.
Even though Short uses disposable paper towels in medical facilities to avoid cross-contamination, he avoids disposables in general, because they become too expensive.
Regardless of the methods used to keep chemicals under control, training and hiring good people is vital to ensure the chemicals are used correctly and aren’t pilfered or wasted.
“The only thing we can really do is teach janitors how to use or apply chemicals properly, and hope you’re training as well as you can so they do use it properly when they’re on the job,” Short says.
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