Choose or Refuse

For many people, me included, the current economic situation has caused them to change from their favorite name brand items to their off brand counterparts. We know there are some items you can't skimp on, like toilet paper, paper towels, and trash bags. But what about those other items on your grocery list. What are some items that you've switched to in order to save money? And what items are so important to you that you just refuse to buy the off brand, no matter what the savings?

Refuse to Switch

JIF Peanut Butter - Far and away the best peanut butter on the market. I have been eating it for the past 20 years and have no plans to start buying anything else. Sorry Peter Pan. And don't give me any of that crunchy stuff either. Nor do I want to hear about how all natural peanut butter is better. That's just nonsense.

Pop Tarts - I've tried Walmart brand pop tarts, and I have to say there's no comparison. Walmart brand is like eating cardboard. Right now my cabinets contain very little food, but one thing I make sure to have is my Cherry flavored Pop Tarts, along with my Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts. Yes, two different kinds, I like variety.

Captain Crunch, Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Etc - I have to have name brand cereal. You can say the off brand is exactly the same, you can show me the ingredients, I don't care, I still don't believe you. And yes my cereal selection is still the same as a 12 year old. My wife makes fun of me, I don't care, give me the sugar and the marshmallows.

Choose to Switch

Soft Drinks - No more Mountain Dew, Coca Cola, or Dr. Pepper for me, no matter how much I love them. Give me the Walmart Brand or whatever is on sell. To me its just something to keep my mouth from being dry, and keep my body full of caffeine.

Chips - We only buy chips occasionally because we don't snack that much, but now I buy the off brand. My wife loves the Cheetos Puffs, but I think the off brand Cheesy Puffs is just as good if not better. Anyway I'm just looking for something to get me through to the next meal.

Pizza - Digiorno, I don't think so. I don't care if it's delivery or not, it's not worth it. Give me one of those small ninety-nine cent pizza's that one person can eat by themselves. You can get medium pizza's from Domino's or Pizza Hut now for $5 so why in the world would I spend that much for a frozen pizza.

So there's my choose and refuse list. What's yours?