One of the first rules of successful couponing is, barring allergies, brand loyalty is GONE! One brand of detergent works as well as the next brand, one brand of toothpaste cleans your teeth as well as the next brand, shampoo is shampoo and…
Well, sorta.
I know all about “the rules”. Heck, I wrote up a bunch years ago . But we all know that “the rules” or “coupon tips to save” don’t exactly hold true for all. Sometimes products just do not work with our skin/hair/body type. Sometimes we just don’t care for a flavor/texture or scent. Sometimes, against all recommendations, we find products we absolutely love and cannot do without.
Brand Loyalty. A dirty little secret.
It happens.
I have two brand loyalties. One is a Kotex product that I have used for nearly 30 years (wow, am I old!). This really is not a problem since coupons abound; it is always free/cheap and I can occasionally make money on the product. I now have a six year supply it will be a race to see what happens first: my supply is exhausted or menopause.
The other brand loyalty I have is something I only admit to by the light of a full moon on the eve of summer solstice.
*Looks out window at the sky.*
*Checks calendar.*
Eh, close enough…
I love, love, love and am firmly brand loyal to Land O’ Lakes fat free half and half. For some reason it tastes best to me with home brewed coffee. I drink at least one pot of coffee per day, and use a lot of the LOL.
The LOL fat free half and half does go on sale at some store in my area once a month. I seldom, if ever, pay full price. The problem with this particular brand loyalty is coupons are few and far between. They are out maybe 6-8 times a year and distributed in varying markets so I have to hunt them down and trade for these coupons. Land O’ Lakes offers printable coupons and sometimes the half and half is on the list. I got a $1/2 two months ago that was so regional I swear only my market received it. Buuuuuut there is a 55¢ off one this upcoming Sunday! I have order(s) in already hoping it shows up in a lot of markets. This stuff has an expiration date six weeks out (I do not want to even think of the preservatives, I’m imaging it is more like organic milk that lasts a month. Hey, I can dream!) I’ll stock up twenty at the end and drink more coffee to use it all up! Any excuse for a cuppa java I say.
So, what is your dirty little secret? Find any coupons or sales or are you so hardcore brand loyal you pay full price? Don’t worry, you only have to admit it by the light of a fill moon on the eve of summer solstice.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Try freezing it! Works great with coffee creamer. I also freeze milk!
How ironic you call it a : “Dirty little secret”. LOL
Mine is: ZEST bathsoap. Been using it for over 30 years. There is no substitute because…
I am a cheapskate concerning deodorant-don’t buy it. Thanks to ZEST!
I am lazy about cleaning the tub-once a month. Thanks to ZEST!
I have found that ZEST (original formula) controlls BO enough that I do not use any additional spray, rool-on etc. Of course, each individual has his/her own unique body chemistry but for me? ZEST!
Also-I have found that their claim of less soap film and residue is true. I waste less time and money (on b-room cleaners) having to clean soap scum off of the tub….
This is totally unlike some OTHER brands (who shall remain un-named) which seem to have been develpoed for the EXCLUSIVE purpose of selling Heavy-duty deodorants and bathroom cleaners.
(P.S. Thanks for the tip on LOLakes creamer-will try it this week.)
I don’t drink coffee, but I understand about brand loyalty. Dial is the only brand of bar soap my family will use.
This post is cute! If I get any of those LoL coupons I’ll let you know and be happy to send them to you.
As for me, I have been buying Doc Bronner’s organic/all natural soap lately. It was something like $30 for a gallon that is supposed to last a year. I know, I know, that’s quite a bit to pay for soap–this was prompted by my husband, the spendthrift, who rarely goes shopping with me. When he does, he throws in a bunch of stuff that is not even on sale, oh my heavens. “These…oh and these…oh and these…” style.
Hi Betsy,
I have a wash machine that does not use traditional American soaps. I use a European brand called Persil. A box is about $50. Sounds crazy, right? I use one box of whitening and 1 1/2 boxes of color detergent per year, which works out to approximately $120 a year, or $10 per month. I do at least 25 loads of laundry per week. My cost works out to 10¢ per load, which is cheaper than traditional American detergent.
So, I completely understand paying a large amount of money for something upfront, that gives greater long-term savings.
Ann
Oh, where do you get the Persil from? I miss that
My dirty little secret is Perrier. I recently wrote to them because they NEVER have coupons and asked them if I could have some because my family supports their US division! They responded, but said they currently had no coupons available. Bummer!
Where do you buy your Persil from and how does it come out to a dime a load how much are you using we have hard water and he machine just trying to compare the american detergent I just bought comes out to 7 cents a load but I got a good deal! and I hope 25 loads a day was a joke that’s a lot I’ve never done more than 4 doing it everyday!
Hi Betty,
Nope, not a joke. I do 25 loads per week (week, not day!). I get my persil at the same store where I purchased my machine. I get the German detergent made by Henkel. There is also a British variety from Unilever.
Ann
the closest place to me is 50 mi away that might possibly carry it yikes! there’s an online british store that ships a 90 load box for $110.49 that’s still scary
And expensive! I pay less than half that. I don’t think you can try it economically Betty.
Ann
mine is Olay facial cream products, not the scrub ur face away, but i when i tried olay total 7 effects and it helped my skin get rid of a nasty pimple mark that was left behind, i have been hooked ever since.
and my other is the yellow cap scrubbing bubbles. i will not buy another bath cleaner because i made the mistake of doing that and this stuff is so strong i cant even breath (so i’ve been diluting it with water and using an old toothbrush to get in the grout, i hate hate hate tile, every apt there is a problem with tile, i will never have tile in my house!!!!!!). and i hate the smell of the green cap scrubbing bubbles.
these are my confessions of a name-brand-aholic
hahaha
oh ps–forgot, my fav toothpaste is colgate whitening
Kraft macaroni and cheese.
My dirty little secret is Olay Ribbons body wash.. I’ll pay full price for it if I must.. but last fall I got a years supply either free or almost free.. Its almost used up. Im on the lookout for another deal!
Olay moisturizer also..been using it for 35 years and I’ve always had great skin.
My honey will only use Zest or Irish spring bar soap.. Thats his preference & hes sticking to it.
You and hubby make 25 loads a week, what the heck are you guys doing over there!
We are either very clean or very dirty Rose. I can’t decide which.
Ann
I have a few brands that I prefer, but I think I would die without Olay Quench body lotion. Nothing else compares as far as smell and effectiveness. All the others either smell good or work well, but not both.
Ann,
What happened to the vanilla LoL? How can they discontinue the best thing that happened to coffee since water? It’s the only way I can get DH to drink the coffee I make.
I don’t think I ever saw LOL Vanilla. I’d contact LOL and ask them! Maybe they will send you some coupons.
Ann
Maybe its a regional thing. Thanks!
Toms of Maine toothpaste. Others literally make me sick