I tried to save money on plastic wrap. The metal strip on the packaging used to cut pieces of plastic wrap isn’t very good for cutting pieces of plastic wrap. Every time I wrap a sandwich or a chunk of cheese or whatever, I’m reminded why the more expensive plastic wrap is better – you can actually separate it from the roll.
I tried to same money on Q-tips by buying a generic version. I figured they would be the same. In fact I figured they likely came out of the same factory. Unfortunately the ones I bought only have about half as much cotton as the real thing. Some of the little sticks are actually completely missing cotton on one end or the other. I’m reminded every time I clean my ears that next time I have to buy the real deal.
Have you tried to save money on stuff and regretted it soon after?
27th Street 
I use vinegar a lot to clean and I would like to have acetic acid on hand to make the cheap vinegar. Is that crazy? I don’t know much about it, but I like to be self sufficient and if I could store acetic acid, I would not have to store so much vinegar.
Have you ever heard Bob & Ray, the old time radio comedians? They used to do a bit about making their own iodine. First they needed kelp, lots of it, so they had a rail siding built so they could take delivery by the train-load. All this to make a little bottle of iodine. Ezequiel, there has to be a better way to make vinegar than starting with acetic acid. Maybe start with barely drinkable wine. At least then you could drink some, and make vinegar from the rest.
Oh yes, many times. The reason that brands work is because we can trust them to be consistent. Mind you, when brands fail or make unwelcome changes, all hell breaks loose. At least around here.
I’ve had the same experience with both! as for the Q-Tips, I’m of the mind wetnaps wrapped around toothpicks would work better. Add razors and ketchup to the list as you shouldn’t skimp on either one. Oh….don’t forget K-D! They use better chemies in their cheezy sheet
Razors for sure – I had a recent experience where I tried to save a few bucks with some on-sale razors and until I finally got fed up and chucked them, I had a couple new cuts each day on my face.