People cringe at the thought of buying food that is packaged with a generic brand such as Black and gold. They have this predetermined idea that the food in these packets is somehow sub-standard and is uncool to be seen buying. Even though it is so much cheaper than the regular branded foods, it is still avoided like the plague, unless of course you really are can’t afford anything else.

Just to have a bit of fun I invited some rather snobby friends to dinner, cooked 90% of the meal with no mane goods, and then watched them eat it. They liked it.

Here they were raving about how nice the meal was and one guest even asked for the recipe. When I told them that it was all no-name food they would not believe me. Unfortunately I was not going to get the packaging out the the rubbish bin to prove my point. Their reaction really shocked me because it was like they had never had no-name food. I hate to see them actually end up poor one day and have to eat this stuff.

Anyway, as far as experiments go, it was a success. I really never had a problem with using no-name foods before, and this just reinforced my views.

Reason why people do not buy Black and Gold or No-name food

1. People might see them buying it and think they are poor Well that’s all about their personal image. If they care what other people think of them, then that is their problem. Rich people did not get rich by wasting money.
2. They think the food is of substandard quality It’s like anything you buy. There are good things and bad things in every product range.
3. It is too cheap Sometimes people think that you get what you pay for. But I also know that if you shop around you can always save money.
4. It might be imported It may well be imported but how do you know the brand name items are not also imported. The companies have sneaky techniques when labelling the products origin.

My children absolutely love two minute noodles in a cup which cost anywhere from $1.00 up to 1.50. This doesn’t sound like much, however when you buy a bulk pack of no-name two minute noodles they are around $1.40 for 6 times as much food, minus the fancy cups. There is an easy saving of $5.00 just on two minute noodles. For the basic ingredients of cooking, you cannot go wrong with the cheaper no-name brands. For example, baking a cake needs flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. As far as I am concerned these ingredients are all the same. Milk, cream, and cheese all come from a cow, and the taste is irrelevant when using these ingredients for cooking.

Everyone at one time or another will find something they like and will buy in the no-name range. Here are some of my ideas on what to buy or what not to buy.

Things you shouldn’t buy in the no-name product range

1. Easter Eggs or boxed chocolates The no-name or cheaper chocolates or Easter eggs taste like sugar and sometimes have granules in them. For the chocolate lovers you could never have an un-branded chocolate in your mouth.
2. Toothpaste For some reason they always taste funny and leave a chalky film on your teeth. I consider my teeth to be very important and therefore will not compromise on toothpaste.
3. Shampoo and Conditioner Correct me if I am wrong, however the no-name shampoos and conditioners do not do anything! Maybe if you are bald they might work for you. 
4. Baked beans and Spaghetti All the no-name branded baked beans and spaghetti I have had was filled with a lot of sauce. Once you drain this out you might be left with half a can of the actual food.
5. Some biscuits Some biscuits taste like cardboard and others are fine. It’s trial an error for the biscuit section. I usually buy crackers that will be used with dip but will not buy fake tim tams covered with fake chocolate.

Items you should buy in the no-name product range

1. Noodles Surely a noodle is a noodle. Do I need to say more? Save your money and buy the cheaper noodles because they will all end up the same way.
2. Rice I have tried both branded and no-name rice and have find the cheaper one to turn out just the same. If you overcook the rice it will turn to mush anyway.
3. Toilet Paper This is something we are going to flush down the toilet. Don’t be too fussy about what brand you get. Add up your savings when you buy a cheap brand.. It is amazing..
4. Medicines and tablets Now days when you get a prescription the chemist or pharmacy assistant may ask if you would like to try a generic brand of medicine. I have done this a few times as most of the time they contain identical ingredients and do the same job. You can save between 5 and $10 sometimes.
5. Flours, sugar, Salt, pepper These items are usually used as an ingredient in cooking. Who cares what brand they are. If you are a bad cook anyway, the food will still taste bad.
6. Bread I don’t know about the quality of the individual store brands, however there is no problem using this bread for making toast. I am a little bit fussier with a fresh salad sandwich, it has to nice bread for that.
7. Milk, cream, and cheese Any of these dairy products are great to buy, especially if used in cooking. However, if you wanted cheese for a platter you may need to buy a more ma 

ture cheese, which will cost more.

Generally I go for the cheaper brands that have proved to be up to the same standard of the branded items. I also try to buy local products if possible. However in the end it is a personal choice, and I know that you can make drastic savings on your grocery bill by using even a few no-name food items.

Mitz Pantic writes articles for various sites including Fill Your Money Box, Free Computer Help, Tips4pc, and more.

More From the same Author:

Why is everyone keeping up with the Jones’s.

Things that entice you to spend more money

Friends and money – stop spending money because you can’t afford it!

Patience is a virtue. It takes some character to exhibit such levels of moral excellence, but did you know that by doing so, you could save money at the same time? Read on to find out how you can economize by emanating the virtue of patience.

Have the patience to walk instead of drive. It saves you gas, parking and the stresses of driving. Walking improves your health and well being while saving gas money.

Be patient: compare before you buy. From personal clothing to health club memberships, from plumbing services to insurance plans, from car accessories to a new home; compare the offers of 3 to 5 suppliers or service providers before finally settling with one. Let them know that you are taking the time to search the market and they may just be able to offer you the best savings. Truly, the patient consumer is a winner!

Use coupons as much as possible. Be patient in cutting them out and going through them before making any purchase. Pack them together with your grocery bag or in the car so you can use the discount voucher at every opportunity. One can save $20 – $50, just by using the coupons.

Track your expenses. Have the patience to keep your receipts and record all your expenses, no matter how small or frequently they occur. By doing so, you are made aware of where every single penny goes. Furthermore, you will know when you have spent too much on clothing, when in fact you still need to settle your credit card balance, or pay the mortgage. You will have a better hold of your financial health, by patiently tracking your finances.

Hold-off and sleep on it! If you are about to purchase a $100 item, hold off the purchase until you’ve given it much thought, say sleeping on it for 1-2 nights. If after such time, you decide that you absolutely need and can afford the purchase, then go ahead. Nevertheless, you’ll be surprised at how much you can save by just sleeping and thinking things over.

Devote money in long-term investment. Understand that when you take up long-term investment, you do not need the money for now, and it is not considered as part of your daily finances. However, such money when set-aside will reap great rewards in the future.

Exude moral excellence by patiently saving for years to come, starting today!

About the author

Nicholas Tan wrote this article. Visit his website http://www.free-article-info.com/

Great ideas in this article from Nicholas. Saving money does take patience and a lot of self control, however some people are lucky because it comes naturally to them. I am not one of those lucky people.

In the good old days nearly every household had a few money boxes hiding on their shelves around the house. However now days, in the wake of a cashless society, having cash around and accumulating coin change has become rare. If there is loose change around my house my children quickly snap it up for their everyday expenses. No longer can they make do with a few coins, thus keeping the money box in our house, rather lightweight.

Check out this cool Spongebob money box picture on the right. If I had a money box like that I would never smash it to get the money out. LOL!

I have a few money boxes around the house, however not one of them looks as good as Spongebob.

The biggest and most advertised temptations are the special occasions that were originally invented to entice people to buy items. Christmas, Easter, Fathers Day, Mothers day, and Valentines Day are just a few I can recall. I am not saying that they are not celebrating worthy causes, however are they necessary. Most people feel obligated to buy Christmas presents for more than just their family. And now days the gifts people give are not small either.

On Sale or a gimmick?

Sometimes, if you research your product, an item that says it is on special, isn’t actually a bargain at all. There is a huge sign saying that it has been reduced by 50%..People instantly ask themselves in their mind…”hmmm do I need one of those, because it is so cheap now, and won’t be the same price tomorrow.” Have you ever said that to yourself?

The supermarket isle.

Supermarket isles are stuffed with special price tags which over egaderate how much you actually save. There are also items placed around and at the checkouts to satisfy your last minute impulse buying. Sometimes you can’t help but spend more money by purchasing a little magazine or maybe some breath mints. And those of us with children, it can become a nightmare to get your child to pass these items without wanting something.

How big are the shopping carts and trolly’s?

Big shopping carts are now in all the big department stores that sell everything from electrical to clothing and underwear. They are definitely there to entice you to spend more money, as some people do almost feel guilty for not filling it up with items. What are they implying?

Cash is available 24-7

Gone are the days, when you used to have to wait for the bank to open to get your money. Automatic Teller Machines scattered on the streets, in the shops and even the pubs, make it very easy to grab that extra bit of cash when needed. How easy is it to buy what ever you want and pay with a credit card or debit card. Who needs to have cash in their pocket when almost everyone has a card of some sort.

No wonder people spend more money than they have. I hope these simple facts will help you realise that you may not need what you are buying. Open your eyes to these misconceptions and you will save money easily.

Why is everyone keeping up with the Jones’s.

15 Quick Tips On How To Save Money

Mitz Pantic writes articles for various sites including Fill Your Money Box, Free Computer Help, Tips4pc, and more.

Computers and Televisions are the most widely used household electrical items. Save a bit of money by saving electricity.speed up Windows to invigorate old computers. You can have dramatically more PC speed today from your slow computer.

I regularly use Skype to keep in touch with my friends and family. Recently I noticed that almost all of my contacts never pickup Skype calls, but then if I ring their phone they answer. This means that their computers are being left on, even though they are not using them. When you consider that most computers use typically 70-200 Watts of power across the nation the accumulative waste of electricity must be monumental.

Most people would say that that the amount of electricity is minimal ? it’s about the same as 2 or 3 light bulbs. The same could be said for other appliances left on standby, such as DVD players, TVs, and phone chargers. I recently heard a report that 2/3 of all the electricity consumed by mobile phones from the chargers being left plugged in 24 hours a day. It seems crazy that our appliance require so much energy even when they are not doing anything useful. Some would say it is the manufacturers’ fault for not incorporating some sort of intelligent auto power off feature. I personally believe that it is also the consumer’s responsibility to demand these kinds of eco-friendly features in every device.

Although the appliances in our homes do waste electricity when left on standby, it is often only around a few watts. In contrast, an idle computer uses several times the amount. This not only pushes up your electricity bill but also increases carbon emissions which cause global warming.

Is there anything that we can do to reduce this wasted electricity? Almost certainly yes, and it probably won’t require much if any effort on your part. Here are my best energy saving tips:-

Set your computer to Hibernate when you leave your computer for more than 20 minutes. If you are using Windows XP the setting is in Start>Control Panel>Power Options. Click the Hibernate tab and then check the box to enable the Hibernate feature. If you are using a laptop, click Power Schemes and make sure you make a note of which power scheme is selected and change this as necessary; I have mine set to “Super Power Saver”. Near the bottom you will see options for “System Hibernates”. Set these to “After 20 minutes” for both plugged in and running on batteries modes. From now on this means that every time you leave your computer for more than 20 minutes your computer will switch save the state of your machine and switch it off. When you press the power switch, the computer will restore itself exactly the way you left it.

I have a printer, scanner, and amp plugged into my PC. These are only rarely used so I often leave them switched off and unplug their power supplies. This is especially good for scanners since the bulbs are left in a permanently warmed up state if left plugged in; a waste of energy and I reckon it shortens the life of the bulb too.

All the power devices on my computer are plugged into a single 4 way surge protected power strip. This not only protects my expensive hardware from being fried by a lightning strike, it also is a convenient way to turn everything off. Once my computer has shut down I can still see 4 LEDs from all the peripherals ? this indicates that they are all draining electricity. By flicking a single switch on the wall this cuts the power to ever single one of them.

Zach Hope is the author of Speed-Up-Windows-XP.com, a site that can teach anybody to

If spending money, frequent shopping sprees, and the sound of a cash register ringing makes you happy, then you have a problem. If you actually like handing money over to the shop assistant to see them smile, then you have a problem. If you are constantly buying items that you had no intention of buying, then you have a problem. Here are a few sure signs to confirm that your money spending habits are out of control.

Do you have a shopping and spending problem?

1. You are constantly trying to justify what you have spent on the most recent spending sprees with new excuses..

2. You hide things such as bank statements, credit card statements, purchase receipts.

3. You have clothes in our cupboard that still have prices tags on them. Some are even in the shopping bag they came in.

4. You are always redecorating your house in order to justify shopping sprees and spending money.

5. You were always an honest person, until someone started to get curious about you spending money, and you had to lie.

6. You remove price tags and say you got the item on sale.

7. You see things when you are shopping, then decide you desperately need it? There was no plan to spend money on something you actually need.

8. You juggle your families finances to hide the fact that you have spent so much money shopping.

9. You buy things for other people and then convince them that they need it.

10. You are the happiest when you are shopping and spending money.

Here’s some ideas to help you stop spending money.

1. Stop the secrets. Tell people you have a problem and they will help you.

2. Find out why you feel the need to go spending money even though you cannot afford it.

3. Get your spouse or a friend to do your shopping for you. Don’t go to the shops until you can control yourself.

4. Cut up your credit cards. Do not carry cash in your pockets.

5. Write a list of all your purchases so you can see clearly what you have spent.

6. Stop and think about it. Do you want to end up in debt up to your ears, risking everything you have.

7. Get some self control. Do not let yourself get into financial trouble.

Having $100 in your pocket always will make you feel better than just having spent it on something you really didn’t want? Curve your shopping habits and stop spending money. If you can’t possibly stop spending money and going shopping then you should probably seek professional help.

Have you ever noticed that the things you buy every week at the grocery and hardware stores go up a few cents between shopping trips? Not by much?just by a little each week but they continue to creep up and up.

All it takes for the price to jump up by a lot is a little hiccup in the world wide market, note the price of gasoline as it relates to world affairs.

There is a way that we can keep these price increases from impacting our personal finances so much and that is by buying in quantity and finding the best possible prices for the things we use and will continue to use everyday? things that will keep just as well on the shelves in our homes as it does on the shelves at the grocery store or hardware store.

For instance, dog food and cat food costs about 10% less when bought by the case than it does when bought at the single can price and if you wait for close out prices you save a lot more than that.

Set aside some space in your home and make a list of things that you use regularly which will not spoil. Any grain or grain products will need to be stored in airtight containers that rats can’t get into so keep that in mind.

Then set out to find the best prices you can get on quantity purchases of such things as bathroom items and dry and canned food.

You will be surprised at how much you can save by buying a twenty pound bag of rice as opposed to a one pound bag but don’t forget that it must be kept in a rat proof container.

You can buy some clothing items such as men’s socks and underwear because those styles don’t change, avoid buying children’s and women’s clothing, those styles change and sizes change too drastically.

Try to acquire and keep a two year supply of these items and you can save hundreds of dollars.

Go here for information on easy Insurance Articles ?Insurance- Read more : Insurance Articles

However you can get yourself in to real money trouble if you do not admit that you cannot afford to socialize with certain well off friends. They can probably afford to go to eat out in restaurants every night and stay in motels on the weekends but have you told them that you can’t.. Here are my tips to help you avoid this peer pressure and stop spending what you can’t afford.

Don’t go shopping with your friends - Sometimes my friends go shopping for no reason at all. Even if they did have an item in mind to purchase, they always end up buying a lot more. And I find myself spending money on things that I can’t afford and didn’t want because, at the time, we were just having fun. Therefore when a friend asks you to go shopping, make up an excuse, or say no. You will be much happier when you do not spend your hard earned money on junk you do not need!

When they are all out having fun, create your own fun - When all of your friends are going out to the pictures or maybe to a concert, which can cost a small fortune, do something to keep your mind off it. Don’t feel left out or lonely. Find another friend to watch a dvd movie with or to a social chat and nibble session. Remember that your friends are not ignoring you or leaving you out, they are just doing what they want to do.

Let your friends know that you are trying to stop spending money - This is a good way to avoid the peer pressure. Be honest, but don’t cry poor because no one likes a whinger. Just tell them that you are trying to save money, as this is a positive statement. Don’t tell your friends that they are sending you broke and that you feel pressured to keep up with their elaborate spending habits.

Plan events with your friends in advance that don’t involve spending money - You can invite your friends to a picnic at the beach, a bbq at your home, or even walk along the beach. This way you will get to see your friends on your terms, not theirs. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend money, because some activities can be pursued cheaply.

Get rid of your rich bludging friends - How do you think they got rich? You know those friends that you always end up paying for, or eat all your food, and never return the favour. Get rid of them! How are you ever going to stop spending money when they are around. I have a friend that just drops in for a minute and stays all day.

Gather at someone else’s house - Having people come to your house all the time can become expensive and makes a mess that you have to clean up later. Time is also money, therefore, saving time saves money. Instead of cleaning the house after the guests have disappeared, you could be doing something constructive. Share the weekly gathering venue around amongst your friends.

When they ask “Have you got one of these yet?” you say – Friends often say things like “have you seen the new gadget, are you going to get one?” Well why would I get one, as its just been invented and I have done without it in the past. In a year or so it will be so cheap that I could buy 10 of the same product for the price of one now. Sometimes my friends also mention that I might need a new car because it is not flash, by anyone’s standards. My answer is that I cannot have a new car because I do not look after them. (Which is true) The real main reason is that I cannot afford it and do not believe in getting a loan for a car. Why go out spending money on a new car when I will end up in debt up to my ears, and it will be wrecked within the first 12 months.

I am wondering if succumbing to peer pressure and spending money is related to keeping up with the Jones’s. Why do people want to spend money on items when they see that someone else has it. You can read my article on Why is everyone keeping up with the Jones’s. Who cares what your friends are doing. Stop going out to expensive places just because everyone else is. Real friends will respect anything that you decide to do.

Mitz Pantic writes articles for various sites including Fill Your Money Box, Free Computer Help, Tips4pc, Brisbane Computers and more.

Build Retirement Savings – But Don’t Forget IncomeRoth IRA contribution here.

Are you between the ages of 55 and 64? If so, you belong to a peer group that is apparently quite concerned about saving for retirement – but not at all sure how to convert those savings into a steady income stream. If this describes your situation, you will need to take action to ensure that you have the financial resources available to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

But before we look at how you can help take control of your retirement income scenario, let’s look at some interesting statistics. A Prudential Financial, Inc. study of “near-retirees” – those in the 55-64 age group – found the following:

Eighty-three percent of those surveyed think it is very important to generate an income that can provide a comfortable retirement lifestyle – but only 20 percent say they are well-informed on how to do so.
Ninety percent of near-retirees are either guessing how much income they will have in retirement or have no idea of how much income they will be able to generate during their retirement years.
Only 15 percent of survey respondents are focused on “generating retirement income,” while the remaining 85 percent are still concentrating on building a retirement nest egg, preserving their savings or working toward better returns.

Generating Retirement Income

If the above statistics are indicative of the national populace, it seems clear that many near-retirees are going to have to start taking action to meet their retirement income needs. Here are a few steps to consider:
Evaluate your available financial resources. When you retire, you will probably be able to draw income from a variety of sources: Social Security, your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan, your Roth or traditional IRA and your other savings and investments. Well before you retire, you will want to estimate how much money you will likely have accumulated from these resources.

Calculate a withdrawal rate. Once you know about how much money you will have available during your retirement years, you’ll want to determine a suitable withdrawal rate – that is, you’ll need to determine how much you can reasonably afford to take out each year. Of course, your age will help determine your choices. You typically must start taking distributions from your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan once you reach 70-1/2, and the size of your Social Security checks will depend on when you start taking them. Yet you have a great deal of latitude in deciding when, and how much, to withdraw from your investment portfolio. By working with a qualified financial professional, you can determine a rate of withdrawal based on your portfolio’s expected growth and your individual needs.

Consider income-generating strategies. If you are within a few years of retirement, you may want to consider shifting some – but certainly not all – of your growth-oriented investments into income-producing ones. Consequently, you might want to look at fixed-income vehicles, such as bonds, or even an immediate annuity, which can be structured to pay you an income stream you can’t outlive.
By following these suggestions, and by constantly keeping “income” in your thoughts as you create an investment strategy for retirement, you can help create the cash flow you need to fully enjoy your “golden years.”

John Bradford is a seasoned investment professional and writer. His site is a news and resource site dedicated to helping people get to and manage retirement in a conservative way. Learn more about your