Saving money is always a good thing. There is nothing wrong with being financially conscientious at times and buying second-tier or discounted items rather than big-name brands. As with most things, however, some exceptions do exist; in certain cases, brand names are definitely your best bet. Find out which products are worth big bucks and which ones aren’t.
Bottled water
Among man’s most basic needs, water is a very common supermarket purchase. The bottled water industry is so lucrative today that more brands and variations of the stuff exist than ever before. As long as it does not appear tinted or impure when you grab it from the shelf, go for the generic brand; it can add up to a surprising savings each month.Milk
There isn’t a huge difference between brand names such as McArthur or store versions for a lesser price. The USDA regulates the homogenizing process necessary to bottle and sell milk, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t save a few bucks by opting for the store brand.Knives
This is a touchy category for many. On the one hand, only a moderately experienced amateur chef would be likely to notice and have an appreciation for a world-class set of cutting instruments. Therefore, one could argue that lower-end, inexpensive cutlery is the way to go for guys who don’t do that much cooking. If you prepare meals a few times a week, however, it is a much smarter move to invest in good brand-name knives. You only need one or two versatile, high-quality pieces, such as a Henckels Santoku, rather than an entire set of cheap plastic ones you will have to replace every few months.Athletic shoes
This is a category in which you should really spring for a reliable brand name. Whether you exercise occasionally or run marathons on a regular basis, injury prevention is key. High-quality athletic shoes are designed to offer you support and keep injuries at bay, so avoid cheap knockoffs at all costs.Cordless phones
With the advent of cell phones, home-based cordless phones have fallen by the wayside in the last few years. The good news is that prices have gone down considerably. Then again, you don’t need a high-end model, either. Opt for a brand with a reliable warranty, such as GE, but there’s no need to get their most expensive model.Medications
Most major pharmaceutical companies have subsidiaries that distribute generic versions of their products. These no-name versions can be 50% to 75% cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, and since the U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulates and monitors these products for your protection, there’s generally no reason why you shouldn’t choose them.When it comes to prescription drugs, the smartest thing to do is to ask your doctor if generics are an option. Ask your pharmacist for his opinion as well, and if both agree that the generic brand is just as good, go for it. Once in a while, both may tell you to not cut corners on a particular medicine for your condition, but health care professionals will generally work with you to help you save a few bucks.
Computers
In the late '90s, computers were much more costly than they are today. If you had a little know-how and patience, you could save a bundle by building your computer from generic parts and loading your own operating system. In today’s global economy, however, that approach is probably a waste of time.Dell, the world’s No. 1 manufacturer of personal computers, has set the tone in terms of prices, and its peers have followed suit for the most part. Today, computers are so relatively inexpensive that most IT professionals will advise customers to replace rather than repair them. Don’t waste hours toying with drivers, optical drives and countless operating system reinstalls; simply go with a brand name and a good warranty.
Tires
With most auto makers competing for market share by boasting warranties that range from 36 months to 10 years, consumers are only responsible for maintenance in a few basic areas -- one of which is tires. When it comes to high-performance, speed-demon types or if you live in an area where snow and ice are common, specialty tires are probably a good bet -- even though they’re a bit pricey.On the other hand, for your day-to-day routine, most manufacturers have subsidiaries or partners that put out off-brand versions of their more recognized product lines. You can typically save about one-third of the price by buying reliable tires from KUMHO, an award-winning company that supplies Formula One race cars all over the world. The key is to have access to an independent tire specialist who won’t try to push you toward his own brand.
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