Money Saving Tip: Save on Non-Food Items

Here's an easy way to save on non-food items:

Shop at a general merchandiser like Wal-Mart or Target for non-food items like detergent, toothpaste, and shampoo.  Most grocery stores have high mark-ups on these items. Saving an average of two dollars each week gets you over $100 per year. Better yet, buy the store version of the item to save even more.

We ALWAYS at least try the Wal-mart Equate brand if it is an option. More times than not, we'll like it as good as the national brand, and when we don't, Wal-mart takes back the unused portion as part of their satisfaction guarantee. We've saved tons of money using Equate. For instance, 48 tablets of Tylenol Allergy Sinus runs $4 and change while the same exact product in the Equate brand runs $2 and change. We use Equate regularly for mouthwash, fiber supplements, allergy and cold medicine, muscle rub, pain pills, and more. (Note: We haven't had good luck with the Wal-mart brand food products -- just not as good as the national brands.)