What do you not buy anymore because you’ve found a cheaper/better alternative?

[fateisdestined2025]

Cakes for me. Homemade cakes taste better.

These candles, melts and diffusers are amazing. Gorgeous dupes of Diptique, The White Company, Neom and Jo Malone

https://boxxedup.co.uk/collections/kind-earth-apothecary

Ok. Thanks to this thread, I’ve done it - I bought 4 spray bottles from home bargains and they now contain vinegar and water for all purpose cleaning. Very good for all purpose cleaning especially stainless steel hobs, manky loos ( I read the earlier thread) and windows/glass. Now I know it doesn’t smell as nice, but no, my loo doesnt smell like a chip shop. And no it isnt quite as effective, but I will take a hit for the spare cash and the enviro- credentials.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that next.

Spanish laundry liquid, much nicer smell 48 washes for about 8 quid.

I’ve swapped almost all family toiletries now to supermarket own brands. The difference in price is huge and nobody has complained yet. A big tin of hairspray for 89p! It’s rare to find a bargain these days.

What about the flight to Spain? 😂

I use fairy liquid in the shower to clean now instead of sprays. I found they made my breathing a bit hectic when I wasn't well last year and discovered washing liquid is a better alternative - like bleach you can leave it on to take off stains on tiles and with toothbrush it does really well at getting off any bits in corners or under the glass sections.

I agree washing up liquid is very useful.

@greengreyblue ,well given the choice, I'd be down the mercadona buying it in Spain obvs, however you can buy it on amazon so that's where I get it normally 😁

Haha which brand is it? I love Spanish soap( the black one) and I use Spanish cologne in a spritz bottle as a room fragrance.

@greengreyblue ,asevi,marseille soap, love it,

Don't know if this has already been mentioned but Tesco cornettos are much nicer than the originals!

Speaking of perfume, I'm wondering if your good self or others here have tried pheromone perfumes, like the oftentimes advertised Venom Scents at all?

Aren’t dupes meant to be cheaper?! Not trying to be a dick, but those are almost as expensive as the ones they’re copying.

They all buy their fragrance oils from the same place, as they do the containers, so it’s a real rip off to pay more than about £15! I buy my soap making supplies from the same wholesaler that most of these places use

The baseline cost, depending on how big the shop is (so how much they can afford to buy in bulk) is anywhere between probably about £5 a medium candle to £10 (if the retailer is one of the smaller Etsy ones). It’s why Jo Malone is such a scam. There’s about a £40 profit per candle there compared to a £5-10 profit for the smaller independent Etsy-folksy style stores.

@notnorman sorry! I meant to add, the wax melts at £3.50 are a huge rip off. They cost about £0.90 to make based on my quick calculations going to the wholesaler I use. So again you can get the same scents, for cheaper, on Etsy Folksy etc. Some sellers do twice that amount for the same price.

I’m sure your shop is lovely, and it’s all nicely packaged. But you are paying for the packaging there, rather than the product sp it’s not necessarily a huge deal! Cheaper that Jo Malone etc, but not as cheap as other sellers on Etsy, Folksy or even shopify.

They're even cheaper if you go online and buy from warehouses like VB Wholefoods or Crazy Nuts (other sellers are available!), often special offers and discounts if you subscribe. Usually fresher too, and they often sell other things like fruit and lentils which you might like.

At the weekend I bought Aldi’s own roll on deodorant, I normally use Sanex. The Aldi one is great so far, no Irritation, it works fine, and smells good.

Of course it does! What did you expect.?

Because I have really sensitive skin (especially in my armpits weirdly!) I was slightly nervous of trying a new deodorant, but so pleased the Aldi one is comfortable.

Do they do spices for ramen? Love a spicy ramen

Anything by Heinz

Expensive peanut butters. Now just buy Aldi own brand. 100% peanuts and nothing else

Kenco Rich Coffee 200g - selling in Tesco yesterday for £8.35 a jar. I get through a jar a month but still...
Went online and discovered if I get it delivered via Amazon on a Subscription it costs slightly less than £6 a jar.

Cornettos - any supermarket brand is bigger, probably better and definitely cheaper

How much!?😂 for dupes? Still expensive!

I don't do cook, but buy my spices from https://spicesontheweb.co.uk/