Whenever possible, I opt for the generic or store brand over the national brand to save money. There are a few brand-name items I pay extra for, but in most cases, it’s what’s inside the bottle that counts.
As long as the ingredients are the same, why pay more just for the brand name? I decided to take it a step further and crunch the numbers to see just how much I’m saving.
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How much money can you save buying generics?
I decided to make my side-by-side comparison at CVS because it is a national chain. I expected that CVS-branded items would be $1 to $2 cheaper than the leading, national brand. Which adds up. But I was shocked that in many cases, the generic item was three or more dollars cheaper!
I did a side-by-side price comparison across the store.
Brand NameSizePriceCVS Brand PriceGeneric Savings
| 1. A&D Ointment | 1lb | $14.99 | $11.79 | $3.29 |
| 2. Advil LiquiGels | 80 200 mg. capsules | $11.99 | $9.29 | $2.79 |
| 3. Airborne | 10 tablets | $9.29 | $6.99 | $3.79 |
| 4. Allegra Allergy | 45 tablets | $29.99 | $19.99 | $10 |
| 5. AmLactin Alpha-Hydroxy Therapy | 14.2 oz | $26.99 | $20.99 | $6 |
| 6. Coppertone Sport Sunscreen 30 SPF | 8 oz. | $12.29 | $9.29 | $3 |
| 7. DayQuil | 16 LiquiCaps | $9.99 | $7.49 | $2.59 |
| 8. Eucerine Original Healing Soothing Repair Cream | 16 oz. | $15.99 | $11.99 | $4 |
| 9. Hall’s Triple Soothing Action Cherry Cough Drops | 30 drops | $2.19 | 2 for $2 on sale | $1.08 |
| 10. Head & Shoulders shampoo and conditioner in one | 14.2 oz. | $6.29 | $4.29 | $2 |
| 11. Hyland’s Baby Cough Syrup | 6 oz. | $11.29 | $7.49 | $3.80 |
| 12. Lactaid Fast Act | 60 caplets | $16.99 | $13.49 | $3.50 |
| 13. Listerine Ultra Clean Antiseptic | 1 liter | $7.79 | $4.79 | $3 |
| 14. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Streak-Free Self-Tanning Lotion | 5 oz. | $11.99 | $9.99 | $2 |
| 15. Pampers Sensitive Gentle Wipes | — | $3.79 | $1.99 on sale | $1.80 |
| 16. Pepcid AC | 30 10 mg. tablets | $11.79 | $8.99 | $2.80 |
| 17. Pepto-Bismal | 16 fluid oz. | $7.49 | $5.99 | $1.50 |
| 18. Tums | 72 Chewable Tablets, Ultra Strength | $6.49 | $4.99 | $1.50 |
| 19. Vanishing Scent BenGay | 2 oz. | $6.78 | $5.79 | $.99 |
| 20. Visine Tears Dry Eye | 1/2 oz. | $8.39 | $6.29 | $2.10 |
When you become a Rewards Member with CVS, you also earn money-saving coupons (I used one today for $5 off of anything $5 or more).
Drawbacks: misplace your coupon and you’re out of luck. They can’t access your account and issue you a new coupon. Also, many coupons need to be used at specific times which may not be convenient (ex. weekends) and they often expire before you have a chance to use them. Also, their receipts are ridiculously long – entire forests have been wiped out just to print CVS receipts (or so we believe).
What are your favorite generics?
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Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I load the coupon onto my rewards card which I always access by my phone number. My problem usually is that some coupons require a $20 purchase and as a single person I don’t need $20 worth that month. I’ve also had a problem where I couldn’t use the coupon on products that were on sale that week.
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