Do you shop at Rite Aid Pharmacy?   Then you'll definitely want to sign up for their Wellness + Reward Program.  By signing up, you'll receive up to 20% off of your non prescription purchases everyday. It's free to sign up! Just click the banner to get started for great savings at Rite Aid.

I receive a lot of emails asking my opinion of store brands. My answer in a nutshell is they are usually just as good as the higher priced name brands. Here's why:

Most store brands are manufactured by the same manufacturers as the more expensive name brands. For example, Sam's Choice soft drinks(one of the store brands found at Walmart) is manufactured by Cott, the same company that manufactures RC products or as some of you may remember when Peter Pan Peanut Butter was recalled this past year so was Walmart's store brand Great Value peanut butter right along with it. I've always found the two taste alike.

Ol' Roy Dog food found at Walmart is their store brand dog food. It is manufactured by Doane Pet Care, Doane is a division of the privately held, McLean-based Mars Inc. manufacturer of candy, pet foods, and more

So what's really in a name? Well, the cost of advertising, marketing, and packaging to name a few. The store brands are usually the same product in less flashy packaging although some store brand packaging is just as evolved as some of the brand names nowadays (no more white labels with black writing). So next time, before you reach for that name brand product because of its name, perhaps grab the store brand, look at the ingredients, you'll see that they're usually the same as the higher priced name brands, do a taste test at home between it and your usual name brand---you'll notice some taste exactly the same, and do a quick internet search on the manufacturer's infomation found on the label, you'll usually find that they are divisions of the manufacturers who make the name brand products.

When I did a search of some of my favorite store brands from both Kroger and Walmart I found that most of them were manufactured by Con Agra, Unilever, Mars, and many other well known product manufacturers.

And store brands are not just limited to food. You can find store brands or less expensive brands in all types of products. For example, Durabrand is a store brand of electronics carried by Walmart. When I did a search on this brand, I found it Durabrand is chained with Lenoxx Sound, Alco, Funai (which would also include Emerson, Sylvania, and Symphonic), Orion, Maxell, Resonance, Initial Technology, and many other different well known companies.

Just as the old saying goes "Don't judge a book by its cover" same is true as "don't judge a product by its name." So before you reach for that higher priced item just because you think it's better-perhaps give it a second thought. Think that perhaps your paying for the cost of marketing not necessarily quality or taste when you're grabbing a name brand. Store brands can offer you the savings not because their products taste bad or of less quality, but instead, because their overhead (cost of advertising) is low and marketing costs are nil and these savings transfer to the you, the consumer. So, the less flashy package right beside your usual pick might just be your usual name brand in disguise with a different label and much less expensive price tag. And who knows, it may become your new favorite brand!

What are some of your favorite store brands? In your opinion, what store brand products tasted just like the name brand products? I would love to hear your opinion!

Coupon
Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupon for fruit sense


Kids Freebies
Free Pencils, coloring books, etc.

Join the Knack Kids club at Michael's craft sores (ages 5-12)

Free Magazine Subscriptions

3 Free Issues of Town & Country Magazine

Free Subscription to Sound & Vision Magazine

100's of free magazines & newsletters here

Centsible Buys
Use these coupons at Office Max to Sharpie Highlighters & Markers for $0.01 each!-expires 8/21

Another deal from Office Max. Christine emailed: "Office Max is having their Teacher Appreciation Event 8/13-19 for MaxPerks Teachers. Note: homeschooling parents qualify as well. You can show the cashier your MaxPerks Teachers Card or sign up there (at no cost). I received a black bag with:-Office Max coffee traveller cup-Expo Marker Minder (stores markers at the whiteboard)-Expo Dry Erase Pen-Crayola crayon sample-post-it samples-reward stickers (for students)-Office Max coupons (15% off next purchase, $10 off next purchase of $50 of more, 15% printing services)-Crayola coupon Items may vary from store to store."

As always, call your local store to see if they are participating Thanks, Christine!

Birthday Freebies
Register with Blue Bell for Free 1/2 Gallon Ice Cream on your Birthday! You'll receive other coupons as well!

Consumer Panel & Contest
Taco Bell Taco Entourage

Other Freebies

Promotional Gift from Healthy Balance (Old Orchard Juice)-Sippy Cup or Thermal Bag

If you join Home Depot Movers, you you get everything you need to make your move easy before you even pack a box, including 10% off of supplies–like tape, boxes, hand trucks and more. The Home Depot has organizing tools, advice to get unpacked and settled quicker, tips on making your new place as much of a home as your last.

Updated: Renee has asked how long I have been participating in this program. I have been participating in this for a few months and have used it a few times when making online purchases. I have saved money using the various coupons offered to members and have gotten free shipping on several orders using the promotion codes and have gotten a percentage back for my purchases. You will save money using this program-depending which stores you use as some are as high as 25% back and some as low as 4%. But anything back on a purchase you are planning to make is well worth it. You get $5 cash or $10 gift card after making your initial purchase, that in itself is worth it as it is free to join!

I received an email from Kmart this afternoon advertising their Yard Sale. You can save on outside furniture, etc. Click here for more details!

Also at the bottom of this page there is an additional offer for Free Indiana Jones Movie tickets with purchase of four 2-liters of Dr Pepper. Click here for more details!

Update: I called my local Sam's Club and this offer is legit! However, the nice gentlemen on the phone seemed confused by this offer and as desperately as he tried to explain it, couldn't. So best bet, either call your store for more details or stop by the service desk for the scoop! However I dug deeper into the website and found this: Click here to see details


Well, it is rumored that in an effort to help families stretch their economic stimulus checks further, Sam's Club will offer annual memberships for non-members and a $40 gift card for existing members with the purchase of select merchandise in its 593 clubs nationwide.

In addition, Sam's Club will also cash economic stimulus checks for members at no charge. The Sam's Club economic stimulus bonus membership and $40 gift card are available with the purchase of any one of a dozen items, while supplies last, beginning May 18 through May 31.

Here is the article I came across, click here for all the details.

Note: I couldn't find anything about this on the Sam's Club website (maybe I overlooked it), so I advise you to call your local Sam's Club for further information and to find out the full details of this offer.

Sounds like a great deal if you were already planning on buying these qualifying items!

Did you see this at Sam's Club or another reliable source? Please leave your two cents!! (Click on comments below)