How to pay less for everything

life
There’s a way to save whenever you
shop—by buying store brands instead
of the big names. Try these expert
faves and keep more of your moola.
BY AMY ROBERTS
T
hese days, some of the
products that big stores
develop in-house (what we used
to call generics) rival and even
surpass their more recognizable
counterparts in quality. At least
that’s what our picky team of
experts tells us: They’ve seen and
tried everything, and we got them
to share the store brands they buy
for themselves. Stock up too,
and stash away hundreds this year.
“Whole
Whole Foods Stir Variety 365
Everyday Value Creamy Peanut
Butter is wonderful because there
are only two ingredients: peanuts
and salt,” dietitian Laura Cipullo
says. “Other brands add palm oil,
sugar, and other unnecessary—
and unhealthy!—ingredients.”
YOU’LL SAVE About $30
per year, if your family
goes through two jars
a month.
122 REDBOOKMAG.COM
“For nails, Target’s Up & Up
Regular Nourishing Nail
Polish Remover is protein-rich,
acetone-free, and no different
from polish removers that cost
more,” says Julia Papworth, a
Hollywood hair and makeup artist.
YOU’LL SAVE $2 a bottle.
“Rite Aid’s Advanced Wrinkle
Corrector softens fine lines, and
skin stays soft throughout the
day,” says prettypublicbeauty.com
editorial director Devin Giannoni.
“I also use Ulta Cheek Stain and
Gel Eyeliner Pencil. The stain is
water-based, so it’s great for all
skin types, and the liner glides on
easily and stays put. Foolproof.”
YOU’LL SAVE $3 per jar on the
wrinkle corrector, and a whopping
$80 per year on the cheek stain
and eyeliner.
“I swear by Party City–brand
disposable goods for casual
events,” says Trudy Armand,
president and chief designer of
TCA Event Styling in Miami. “Their
selection is amazing, and the
products hold up well to kids and
adults alike.”
YOU’LL SAVE Around $5
for a pack of 100 napkins
and $4 for 20 plates.
Walmart’s White Cloud Ultra
Comfort Bathroom Tissue was the
standout store brand in the Good
Housekeeping Research Institute’s
toilet tissue tests, says Carolyn
Forté, director of home appliances,
cleaning products, and textiles.
YOU’LL SAVE $80 over 12 months.
“With store-brand sunscreen, look
at the active ingredients—you may
find they’re identical to a name
brand,” says Debra Jaliman, M.D.,
dermatologist and author of Skin
Rules. One that passes her muster
is CVS Baby Sun Lotion BroadSpectrum Sunscreen SPF 50.
“It has a nice, soothing texture, so
it’s excellent for sensitive skin, and
it has a 14.5-percent concentration
of zinc oxide—that’s very high.”
YOU’LL SAVE $1 per bottle.
“I always pick up generics from
whatever pharmacy I’m in,”
says Nicole Gattas, a pharmacist
and assistant professor at the
St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
“The FDA regulates all over-thecounter medications, so the
active ingredient in the generic
pain reliever is identical to that
of the name brand. Currently
in my cabinet I have Walgreens’
Pain Reliever Quick Gels.”
YOU’LL SAVE $3.50 per bottle.
“Sam’s Club Proforce Lemon
Fresh Disinfectant Cleaner is
manufactured by EcoLab, a
respected name in the cleaning
industry,” says cleaning expert
Janice Stewart, owner of the South
Carolina–based housecleaning
service Castle Keepers. “It’s very
concentrated and cost-effective.”
YOU’LL SAVE $12 per gallon.
TOP LEFT: GETTY IMAGES. ALL OTHERS: RICHARD MAJCHRZAK/STUDIO D.
How to pay
less for
everything
“I love the CVS/Pharmacy–
brand cotton rounds because
they have the perfect amount
of perforation and don’t
shed,” says REDBOOK beauty
expert Mally Roncal.
YOU’LL SAVE $.20 per package—
a small amount, sure, but
why pay a penny more than
necessary?