BUY GENERICBRAND STAPLES

Buying generic brands is a key principle of the $50 weekly shop challenge. In the past, people tended to look down on generic products. Thank goodness times have changed. We all want quality at a good price, and generic brands are usually 15-25 per cent less than the branded items. Many genericbrand staples (flour, sugar, oats etc) are made in the same factories as the branded ones and contain the same ingredients, although this doesn’t apply to processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, pies and pizzas, which are not only unnecessary, but usually don’t taste anywhere near as good as the real deal.

Sometimes it’s hard to choose between the generic and name brand, even for staple items. We might feel attracted to pretty colours or cute images on the packaging, or we might like the idea that our favourite celebrity uses the same item. Or we might be swayed by words such as ‘organic’ or ‘low-fat’ or 'gluten free’.

Each supermarket chain has its own generic brand, but I personally prefer Black & Gold from IGA. The only way to find the one you like is to try them all.