I have similar list as soozievt, except for plastic wrap, I use Glad. I have tried using other brands, but they do not feel the same. When I go visit people’s house, it is hard for me to adjust. I brought my own toilet papers when I visited some foreign countries.
My list is also similar to soozievt. I recently switched dishwasher soap to Finish. I also like the plastic wrap from Costco. I buy my Vanity Fair napkins at Costco, same with the Charmin when they have it in the coupon book.
My D was really frustrated with her male roommate. The house only had one bathroom and they would switch off buying the TP. She would buy Charmin or Northern and he would buy the cheap store brand. She was so happy when he moved out.
To us, we can tell the difference between TP we like and those that we find too rough. Ditto for detergents and lotions. We get what we like and don’t care if it may cost a bit more.
We like Charmin and Northern for CP, Chrest and Colgate for toothpaste and Cascade platinum for dishwasher detergent. All unscented is our detergent.
Splurge on Quantum Finish dishwasher detergent, I think I got that tip from here. Cleans a lot better in our hard water.
Reynolds non stick foil, I have a small box of it but when you need it, it’s great.
Glad press and seal is awesome
Only Tide free and clear laundry detergent, when I did a bunch of laundry I would buy cheaper detergent but now S that’s it’s just 2 of us.
I think for some products like Reynolds Non-Stick foil, Glad Press and Seal, Puffs or Kleenex with lotion, and Glad trash bags with Febreeze there is just no generic equivalent. Other things I splurge on are Bath and Body Works foaming hand soap, Method dish soap, Cascade Complete pods, Tide pods (this saves me money because DH is a dump more than you need type of person when it comes to liquid laundry soap). I prefer Lysol wipes but will buy Clorox or generic if a deal comes up (for my desk at work I only use generic). For TP I will buy the softer Scott tissue (as cheap as a lot of generics when on sale). I have tried a lot of generic paper towels but none compare to Bounty Select A Size. Now that 2 of my three kids are out of the expensive phase of life and I only have one at home I splurge on brand names of lots of things more than I used to. I guess it is one of the perks of that particular situation lol.
I splurge on items at Costco.
Bounty or Costco Brand Paper Towel. Charmin/Quilted Northern Plush toilet paper.
Also buy the cottonelle brand when available. I don’t like the texture of Costco’s toilet paper.
Tide Detergent
Cottonelle wet wipes
Kirkland garbage bags
Ziploc
Cascade Pacs
Oh yes, we buy Viva paper towels when they go on sale and also Kleenex–no other brands. H and kids are definitely picky about this.
“a visit to my sister in law convinced me that this was an area to splurge on after I spent a week at their house and realized how much better I felt using “nicer” items. The top 'o the line garbage bags didn’t feel like it was about to rip or drip when I took it to the outside trash can, the paper towel didn’t fall apart when cleaning up a big mess”
@maya54 you are an awesome houseguest! 
I always buy parchment paper and never rely on any other prep.
I’m another parchment paper user. I mistakenly bought the heavy duty Reynolds Wrap last year and went back to regular strength for the current roll. I’ll be going back to heavy duty next time. Also a loyal Charmin Ultra and Bounty customer (not the Bounty Basic). I liked the Vanity Fair napkins, but don’t care for the company ownership, so I’ve begun using the Trader Joe napkins which seem identical in quality, but slightly larger. I hope no one spoils my choice by telling me they are made at the same place 
I used to use Tide, but began using Method laundry detergent a few years back and really enjoy the smaller, refillable squirt bottle.
I generally avoid store brands because experience has taught me there is usually a difference. I won’t bother listing all of my favorites here. We can afford things easily but I still clip coupons and stock up when things are on sale.
Those little day to day things make life more comfortable. Grew up with cheap Scots TP and will NEVER buy it!
Bounty napkins are sturdier than other brands without being the Vanity Fair extra thickness- I’d save those for a special company dinner if I didn’t use my cloth ones. Some top brands of tissue have scents I dislike- couldn’t say Kleenex for this example (eg Puffs- was horrible for me years ago) so the quality is more than just the softness/sturdiness…
Check your deodorant- I use Suave because it has a higher percentage of the active ingredient than most more expensive brands. Other types of products you often get a lesser amount of what you want. Something to check on mosquito repellant, sunscreen…
I agree with plastic products- I want tougher trash bags. I use one per week and finally bought another box recently. Dimensions and mil- the thickness- vary. For food storage/lunches I like things that open/close best.
It is too bad we can’t buy one roll of TP, a few bags… instead of being stuck with so many of a product we might otherwise try.
Those ads showing you use half as much dish detergent, paper towels… are accurate. The cost can be the same based on how much you need to get the job done.
@maya54 you are an awesome houseguest!
Lol. We were staying in their super nice guest house ( yep separate house on their grounds ) so it was the least I could do!
My father was very frugal (cheap), but he would only use Charmin. He would watch for it to go on sale and buy bulk. Now all my siblings only use Charmin at home. D1 only has Chamin at home too.
I actually prefer “cheap” paper towels. I like to use them for so many things - I’d rather have the freedom to use them as frequent as I like.
Toilet paper - my “splurge” is not on cushy stuff - hate it! I prefer Scott 1000 - which is not a chinzy roll - it lasts a long time but isn’t the cushy stuff that lasts about a minute.
A splurge for me is some cleaning products like Method or Mrs. Meyers. Another splurge - cloth napkins instead of paper - I just like them better for dinner! But I do also buy paper napkins - but the nicer Costco dinner napkins not the inexpensive Mardi Gras ones.
Another splurge - good air freshener. I can’t stand Febreeze smell - makes me nauseous! I buy scents I like from TJ Maxx or Home Goods. Used to always buy the air freshener from Bath and Body Works - but they got harder to find and I would only buy them on sale.
Pam spray vs cheaper or store brand. I don’t do the cooking but I often do the cleaning. The cheaper sprays leaves a burnt on coating that is hard to clean. Finally convinced the cook, my H, to use Pam.
Also no cheap plastic wrap. Glad or Saran Wrap. Same for foil - no cheap foil. Not worth it.
On the other hand, while I use a lot of ziploc bags (all sizes!) I always like to have some of the fold over bags too. I bring my breakfast and lunch to work everyday - some things are just easier and fine to put in the little fold over bags.
For those of you using name brand foil like Reynolds, try store brand Heavy Duty. Heavy duty is the way to go - it’s about the mil not the brand. You can thank me later.
I actually ONLY buy Scotts!
Too much roll-changing with the others. And without getting too into it, I dislike fragrances and lotions and whatever they use to make the TP really soft with the “premium” brands. So I wait for sales on Scotts and buy a lot then.
@oldfort , try the Northern quilted ultra plush 3 ply. I like it much more than Charmin. Having had 3 ply, can’t go back to 2 ply.
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always like to have some of the fold over bags too. I bring my breakfast and lunch to work everyday - some things are just easier and fine to put in the little fold over bags. <<<
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I, too, always keep a box of the fold-over bags on hand. They’re great for many quick uses where a tight seal isn’t needed.
I buy the Costco or Sam’s Club TP in bulk. I like the better TP, but H uses an unbelievable amount of TP…seriously. He doesn’t have any sort of “problem” that should require that much use! Lol