Have you seen the release?

“NEW STUDY REVEALS MOMS FEEL PRESSURE TO BUY EXPENSIVE BABY BRANDS, EVEN IN DOWN ECONOMY”

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54418-kelton-research-mom-study-baby-products-store-brand-infant-formula

The study revealed that 52% of moms are willing to buy store brand products for the household. But when it comes to our children, we’re definitely more wary of quality, as only 30% will buy store brand products for our babies. We become even more particular with our babies’ food, as only 23% would buy store brand baby formula.
As a mom of two, those numbers don’t surprise me one bit! Motherhood is filled with guilt and fear. I know how much we will crawl on our bloody knees to always give only the best to our children. Heck, I walked around with holes in my shoes for years, and fed my kids well! And back in the day, I didn’t use formula. But if I did, my initial response was… Yep! I would have found a way to buy name brand formula.
Then I thought is it really necessary to spend more on name brand formula?…

So I dug in…

First of all… Those of us who have tried store brands of other food products, for the most part, have learned that they’re a reasonable alternative for saving money when the name brand is not on sale with a coupon. Sure, there are a few that we weren’t thrilled with, just like one name brand can be better than another name brand.
But do we take that risk with our children?…

I would not advise you one way or the other, but there is an advocate for store brand formula, who seems to be very reputable. You can google her and decide for yourself, if you want to take her advice. Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg is quoted on the subject of store brand baby formula,

“According to the Infant Formula Act, all infant formulas manufactured in the United States must contain the same key nutrients and adhere to the same quality and safety guidelines. This survey found that less than a quarter of the moms were willing to buy store brand formulas, which indicates that there is a significant knowledge gap. Far too many families are spending twice as much as they need to for infant formula, just to get a brand that is advertised, … Just like generic prescription medications have changed the healthcare landscape by proving more expensive does not mean better, store brand formulas can play a huge role in helping parents take the best possible care of their babies, as well as their budgets.”

With that said, I can see that this release and study were sponsored by the below website, and on their site they claim that store brand can save $600 a year. I concur on that point, but as far as the health and well-being of any baby, I would have to defer to the experts, doctors, and finally the mother of the child.
Here’s why it took me awhile to comment on this release…
While I was initially turned off by the idea of store brand formula, I have to say I think I’ve been swayed by all that I’ve read and considered since this release came out. I guess it really pulled at my heart strings, as a mom who wants to save money, but never at the expense of my children. And in finality, if I was buying formula today, I think I would ask my doctor about store brand formula.
Aww… if you’re the mom of an infant, my heart goes out to you! And if it’s any encouragement, the guilt and fear never ends. Just wait until you have to decide when to let him get his driver’s license! Or when she’s allowed to go on a date! This too shall pass!
If you and your doctor decide to go to store brand formula, I found a $5 coupon on their website that can be printed for a number of supermarkets’ store brand formulas here:
http://www.storebrandformula.com/baby-formula-coupons.aspx

Note: Name brand baby formula on sale with a coupon is usually cheaper than store brand. But it will not always be on sale when you run out. If you’re sticking to name brand, you could stock up (“invest”) in your baby’s name brand formula when it’s on sale, and use coupons to go with those same sales. Just pay attention to the date on the package, and make sure you stock up accordingly and use accordingly.

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“31 Days to Save in 2012”:
A 31 day crash course to cut food costs big time in 2012!

http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ saves TIME!

Jump on in! Links to previous days are here: http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?288859-31-Days-To-Save-In-2012!!!!

Day 31 – Take it on the Road!

We’ve been focusing on saving on groceries for our first 30 days, because groceries are the biggest, easiest and fastest way to save BIG bucks! If you’ve been with us, your cupboards, fridge and freezer should be fuller, yet you’ve paid much less, even though it’s only been 31 days. And there’s more to come, as the big mile marker is 12 weeks! If you’ve joined www.TheGroceryGame.com, you’ve been maximizing your savings the quickest and easiest way possible. And now, you’re on your way to save thousands of dollars on groceries for 2012 and every year after!

But there’s more… Members often say that their grocery savings mindset has carried over into everything else! With this video, I hope to encourage you to save money wherever you go, on all things!

Be sure to end your 31 days, by commenting on Day 31  ”Take it on the Road!” Share how your mind has already opened up to savings in all areas of your life, and tell us how much money you plan to save in 2012! http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

www.TheGroceryGame.com – For as little as $10 for 8 weeks, you should save $6,000 a year! Most people save enough in their 4 week FREE trial to buy a deep freezer!

Have a happy and prosperous 2012!

MORE

“31 Days to Save in 2012”:
A 31 day crash course to cut food costs big time in 2012!
http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ saves TIME!

Jump on in! Links to previous days are here: http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?288859-31-Days-To-Save-In-2012!!!!

Day 30 – Instant Rebates at the Supermarket

If you can learn to navigate instant rebates, you can save BIG bucks! The offers are usually to mix and match, and buy a minimum number of items within a specified group, and get instant savings at the register. There’s often several different offers at a time for one store: Mix and match 10 from this group for $5 back, and 5 from another group for $3, and 7 from another group for $3, etc…Instant rebates offer huge savings, especially if you choose items with the highest value to begin with, and use coupons for more “deal stacking”. But… It can cost you money if you don’t buy the right items and quantity, and if you get too many, you don’t save as much. Sound complicating???…

Watch this video, on how http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ states the final price of each item with any available coupons and the instant rebate figured in, and then how our tools organize your selections into their various “Instant Rebate” groups, so you can be sure you have all your ducks in a row before heading out to the store! In the end, the best advice I can give is to just log in and try it!:

5 minute commitment done!
For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 30 “Instant Rebates”. Ask questions, or share what kinds of deals you’ve gotten by “deal stacking” with instant rebates! http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Optional Additional reading:

Here’s an article on Instant Rebates, and a review on lots of other savings strategies that we’ve covered over our last 30 days:

http://save.lovetoknow.com/expert-interviews/expert-shopping-tips-grocery-game

For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 30 “Instant Rebates”. Ask questions, or share what kinds of deals you’ve snagged by “deal stacking” with instant rebates! http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

One more big day to save in 2012!

See you tomorrow!

http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ – For as little as $10 for 8 weeks, most members should save $1,000! Roll your savings from the 4 week FREE trial into a deep freezer for investing!

MORE

“31 Days to Save in 2012”:
A 31 day crash course to cut food costs big time in 2012!
http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ saves TIME!

If you’re just starting today, jump on board anytime!  Links to previous days are here:
http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?288859-31-Days-To-Save-In-2012!!!!

Day 29 – Family Party Time!

We’ve learned a lot of ways to save money, and one is to eat at home, but feeding a family is a lot of work. For me, getting dinner on the table every night, after shopping, prepping, cooking, then dishes, dishes and more dishes… if the only reward was saving money, it wouldn’t be enough to keep me going for the long haul. But I have a big reward that’s my biggest motivator for keepin’ on keepin’ on… I look forward to that crowning moment of time with the ones I love! If our dinner table wasn’t something to look forward to most of the time, I know I would have burned out years ago.

I hope this video on “Family Party Time” helps you as it’s helped me to keep meals at home for the long haul!:

5 minute commitment done!
For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 29 “Family Party Time”. Ask questions, or share some of your ideas on how you make dinner at home special and enjoyable for you and your family. And tell me if you think it helps to motivate you for all your labors and keeps you going!  http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Optional Additional reading:

There’s a lot more that goes into making “Family Party Time” at your dinner table, more than I can put in a paragraph and a three minute video. Part of it starts with kids in the kitchen. From beginning to end, it’s all a safe and fun place, and we’re all in it together. Here’s something on the topic from “Shop Smart, Save More”:

Chapter 12: All in the Family

Kids, by definition, are fussy eaters. But here’s a little secret I’ll let you in on: they will eat almost anything if they make it themselves. My boys always loved to experiment and whip up their own bizarre dishes (who knew you could eat broccoli with chocolate chips?). Even more fun: give that dish a crazy name, like Alien Asparagus or Monster Meatballs. Just make sure if you have little ones, you supervise all their culinary efforts closely (watch hot stovetops, pointy utensils and even butter knives). You can even encourage them to draw their own menus for the meal while the dish is cooking (a great distraction when they’re whining, “Is it ready yet?”). Remember to have fun and not take things too seriously. Kids will spill and slop and sprinkle flour all over your kitchen floor. That’s what kids do. You want them to feel comfortable in the kitchen, so when you’re old and tired (like me!) and they’re almost all grown, they can make you a meal fit for a queen–and do their own clean-up!…

(End of excerpt from “Shop Smart, Save More” by TeriGault with Sheryl Berk)

http://www.thegrocerygame.com/more-ways-to-save/teris-book-shop-smart-save-more/

For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 29 “Family Party Time”. Ask questions, or share some of your ideas on how you make dinner at home special and enjoyable for you and your family. And tell me if you think it helps to motivate you for all your labors and keeps you going!  http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Two more days to save in 2012!

See you tomorrow!

http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ – Save enough in the four week FREE trial to buy a deep freezer!

MORE

“31 Days to Save in 2012”:
A 31 day crash course to cut food costs big time in 2012!
http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ saves TIME!

If you’re just starting today, jump on board anytime! There’s amazing savings secrets every day no matter what day you begin! IF you want to do some back reading, links to previous days are here. Or skip the back reading and just jump on in! http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?288859-31-Days-To-Save-In-2012!!!!

Day 28 – Maximize Holidays!

It’s not about the holiday… Even if you’re not celebrating the holiday, all holiday weeks are must shop weeks! They’re a once a year opportunity to get the lowest prices on certain foods. So even if you’re doing absolutely nothing for any particular holiday, you simply must take advantage and invest for your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Think beyond the holiday and cash in on savings for weeks and months to come!

Watch this video, for more details on how and why we Maximize Holidays, beyond just the holiday:

5 minute commitment done!
For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 28  “Maximize Holidays”. Ask questions, or share some of your greatest holiday investments and what you did with them to make your everyday family meals!  http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Optional Additional reading:

Super Bowl is our next big event. We’re already seeing some deals. Expect to see some of the lowest prices of the year on these and more: ground beef, chicken, steaks, frozen hot wings, frozen appetizers, stuffed jalapenos, frozen meatballs, frozen pizzas, pasta, pasta sauce, cheese, dips, salsa, avocados, snacks, chips, microwave popcorn, and more!

This is a great time to stock up on good quality frozen pizzas and take some nights off from cooking in weeks to come, at a fraction of the cost of delivery, and fun for the family! Stock up on the frozen appetizers for after school snacks, or just to add to a fun family game night. Stock up on chips and snacks for school lunches, and more…

Think beyond the holiday!

For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 28  ”Maximize Holidays.” Ask questions, or share some of your greatest holiday investments and what you did with them to make your everyday family meals!   http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Three more big savings days to come!

See you tomorrow!

www.TheGroceryGame.com – First and foremost in grocery savings!

MORE

“31 Days to Save in 2012”:
A 31 day crash course to cut food costs big time in 2012!
http://www.TheGroceryGame.com/ saves TIME!

If you’re just starting today, jump on board anytime! There’s amazing savings secrets every day no matter what day you begin! IF you want to do some back reading, links to previous days are here. Or skip the back reading and just jump on in! http://terismessageboard.thegrocerygame.com/showthread.php?288859-31-Days-To-Save-In-2012!!!!

Day 27 – Treasure Hunting Coupons!

Coupons are everywhere! Usage, distribution, and redemption are up like never before! There are coupons for things that you have in your pantry, fridge and freezer, and there are at least 15 different places to find them. If you’ve missed any of them or don’t know where to look, you just passed up cash!

Here’s a video on lots of places to find coupons, and some ins and outs of timing to save the most $$$:

5 minute commitment done! For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 27  “Treasure Hunting Coupons!”.  Ask questions, or share the places you’ve found the best coupons, and your biggest scores with coupons timed just right! http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Optional Additional VIDEO:

Make that 16 places, and this is a good one!! I mentioned the “tear pad”, which are the same types of coupons as this…. #16 would be the nice lady handing out samples of food in the supermarket! It can really pay to stop and try that little piece of jam on toast, as she may hand you a nice coupon that you can’t get anywhere else. And again, the key here is timing, especially on new products. For months, I was getting Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta for free, because I was getting the tear pad and sample food coupons, and holding them until it went on sale! Free! Free! Free! SO many boxes of nice pasta!

This video is also on “Where to Find Coupons”, with some additional money saving strategies to maximize your savings:

For your commitment to 31 days, go back and comment on our Facebook thread for Day 27  “Treasure Hunting Coupons!”.  Ask questions, or share the places you’ve found the best coupons, and your biggest scores with coupons timed just right! http://www.facebook.com/TheGroceryGame

Hey, hey, hey!!!! We’re not done yet!!!
See you for more tomorrow!
Go 2012!!!

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