Name Brand or Store Brand

When my son Tyler was younger, I purchase a store brand cereal in a bag.  I couldn't tell the difference between the cereal in the bag and the boxed cereal, but my son said he could tell the difference, I think he just wanted the cheap prize from the box.  That was the last time I purchased off brand cereal  for him, until his first visit home from college.  I was so excited that he was home, and I wanted to spoil him with all his favorite foods, so we went to the grocery store to stock up.

When I grabbed a box of his favorite name brand cereal, he told me if I would purchase the cereal in the bag, I would get the same cereal for less money.  I didn't remind him that I had tried to tell him that when he was little, I just let him tell me about all the money saving tips he had learned in college.   It was so much fun! 

Our son Tyler

A few weeks ago I saw a news story about name brand spices verses store brand spices.  They found that the expensive name brands were the same as the cheaper store brands.  I decided to do my own investigation and see if Tyler and the reporter were correct.

I had some surprising results.  I purchased name brand and store brand stuffing mix (Thanksgiving is just around the corner) and also name brand and store brand Cream of Mushroom Soup.

I made two separate batches of each.  Then my husband Stan and I taste tested them, just like they do on TV.  I didn't tell Stan which one was store brand and which ones were name brand, of course I knew which was which because I had to make them.

When we compared stuffing mix, we found they had the same look and taste.   The soup was a different story.

The name brand soup looked slightly different from the store brand, but there was no noticeable difference in the flavor.  

With today's economy, everyone is looking for ways to save a few bucks.  If  you can get the same quality at a lower price, why not do it?  Below is a break down of the price difference between three store brand and name brand items that I use often during the holidays.

Soup:
Name Brand $1.00
Store Brand $0.92

Stuffing Mix:

Name Brand $1.92

Store Brand $1.16

Heavy Whipping Cream:

Name Brand $5.27

Store Brand $2.86

Total cost for name brand products: $8.19
Total cost for store brand products: $4.94
Total saved by purchasing store brand products: $3.25

Check back on Friday, to see 

Tyler's favorite Apple Stuffing recipe.

I will be drawing a name from my followers to win a copy of, MY KIND OF COOKING COOKBOOK and the aprons, this Friday, November 5th.   The contest is open to all of my followers, regardless of where they live.   If your name is drawn and you have a blog, I will mention your blog address on my "Fast Food Fridays" radio show on the The Passion Radio Network, and then post your blog address on my blog.

For more great giveaways, visit my friends blogs!

Bo, at Bo's Bowl, is giving a way a, Barefoot Contessa Cookbook!   You will love his blog!  Not only does he have great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner, she is giving away a, John Besh Cookbook.  You will love Pam's delicious recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!