This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Walgreens.
I don’t think it’s overstating it to say that we are a family that loves Walgreens.
No. Let me rephrase that. We loooooooove Walgreens.
It’s shameful, really. We shop there two or three times a week. We know our cashiers. We know our pharmacy techs. And more than anything else, I know to check out in the cosmetics department when I’m stocking up on shampoo and make-up because they’re always well-stocked with coupons.
There’s one other thing I happen to know about Walgreens – and I know it from first-hand experience.
Their store brand is fantastic. Seriously. I buy the Walgreens Brand of, well, whatever as much as I possibly can, especially when it comes to any sort of over-the-counter medication. The Walgreens Brand is almost always significantly more affordable than a competing name brand, and I’ve never been able to tell one iota of difference in quality. If the Walgreens pharmacist recommends it, it’s good enough for me – especially since the Walgreens Brand has the same major active ingredient as other national brands.
A couple of weekends ago was perfect case in point. My husband came down with the man cold of all man colds – there was all manner of loud breathing and loud nose blowing and loud sneezing going on in our house. He was so congested, and one Saturday morning he just seemed miserable and tired and maybe even a wee bit cranky. That’s understandable, though. All that breathing through the mouth can be exhausting.
Given the husband’s condition, I decided that I was going to Take Action. We had plenty of cold medicine already, but I kept thinking that D would be so much more comfortable if we could get a vaporizer cranked up and running. I’m a big believer in using vapors to help a cold; it’s what my mama always did for me, and I think it’s a great way to get some relief without taking decongestant after decongestant. So I drove to Walgreens, grabbed a cart, and stocked up on some cold remedies. I bought a vaporizer, some liquid vapors for the vaporizer, some cough drops, some ibuprofen for the big man and for our little man (he was feeling a little fever-ish) – and every single item was the Walgreens Brand. I probably saved eight or nine dollars just by buying the store brand.
(If this photograph had a title? It would be “Mama Doesn’t Mess Around.”)
(Because Mama likes it when her people are happy and WELL.)
We weren’t at all shocked when everything I bought worked beautifully. We’ve used the Walgreens ibuprofen and the cough drops for years, but the vaporizer and the vapors were new for us. They’re FANTASTIC. I could get used to sleeping with the vaporizer whether anyone is sick or not; it’s a soothing presence in the midst of all the dry indoor heat, and the liquid vapors smell divine – they’re so, so soothing.
Here’s the best news of all (besides the fact that my husband’s cold is almost completely gone): I get to give away a $100 Walgreens gift card. I can tell you in all honesty that there are few things in life I would enjoy more than a Walgreens gift card. I mean, JUST IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES. Anyway, if you’d like to win a $100 Walgreens gift card courtesy of BlogHer, leave a comment that answers the following question: do you typically buy store brands or national brands? A combination of the two? Whatever’s the most affordable? Also, be sure to check out other participating bloggers. This giveaway is open February 18 – March 13.
Happy Walgreens, y’all! And by all means: Try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness products. Visit the site for more information.
Rules:
– No duplicate comments.
– You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
– a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
– b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
– c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
– d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
– This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
– Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
– You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
This giveaway is now closed.
I love, love our Walgreens!
I buy store brands, unless I have a coupon for a national brand & can get it cheaper.
give me a give away :)
Both…I love store brands. My husband, on the other hand, does not. So we usually end up having two brands of the same product at our house.
always always store brand!
I always buy store brands when given the choice. I have found they have the same quality as store brands for a lot less.
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/40529089660076032
I usually buy what’s most affordable, but still good quality
I buy both name brands and store brands. Sometimes when an item is on sale and I have a manufacturer’s coupon, the name brand is the better value. But private-label brands are an everyday great value. Sitting next to me at this moment is a bottle of Walgreens Acetaminophen Extra Strength Pain Reliever. I recently had back surgery, and I don’t intend to pay nearly twice as much to get name-brand Tylenol.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/40552000848527360
I typically buy national brands, just because I know I can get them anywhere. But store brands can be a great bargain!
I love Walgreens, just bought our first neti-pot today, the Walgreens brand was over $5 cheaper than the name brand. I actually did a bunch of christmas shopping at Walgreens this year, I love it.
Thanks for a chance to win.
I buy whichever is on sale, but have been steering toward store-brand products more and more. I like Walgreens-brand medicine.
I go for the price, every time, and the Walgreen’s brand has never let me down.
I do like Walgreens! I use name brand w/ a coupon, store brand if I don’t have any! :)
I’m a Walgreens fan as well. I typically do buy the store brand when possible. Love this giveaway!!!
I buy a combination of the two, whichever has coupon to be exact.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/40648512320450560
I love using private labels when my coupon stash is low. I seem to save more money when I really buckle down and use my coupons. BUT with that said I do like the private labels and I when I buy private label I read and make sure it has the same ingredients as the name brand. If it has the same stuff in it then I check the prices. If private label is lower then OF COURSE I am going to buy the private label!!
we buy most things generic, except tp
we’ll buy generic prescriptions and OTC medicines. They work just as well, in my opinion
We won’t skimp on TP either :) TP is too important to risk it falling apart on you haha
I will usually buy the store brands medicine. If you check ingredients, everything is the same. I do buy name brands in some instances. I feel that the name brand tissues and bath paper are softer and are better. Don’t have a Walgreens that close, but I would like to try one out.
I buy store brands when I can and we love Walgreen’s childrens pain reliever.
I will always give a store brand a try but if it doesn’t work for us we don’t try it a second time.
Love Walgreens!
I always, always buy store brand anything, except for Oreos. Store brand = yuck!
Most recently, I’ve bought Walgreens-brand chapstick, batteries, and diapers & pullups. I love private labels!
The older I get, the achy-er I get! Have lots of Walgreens pain relievers in my medicine chest.
I buy storebrand on almost everything. My husband has a mental block that store-brand products aren’t as good so sneaky me buys the storebrand and then puts it in the big-boy brand’s bottle. He uses Walgreens brand mouthwash but thinks it’s Listerin. He takes Walgreens ibuprofen but thinks it’s…well, you get the drift. Saves us big bucks in the long haul. Walgreens brand ROCKS!!!!
There are certain things that I used to be completely convinced that only the national brand would do, but my budget has convinced me to look more and more at brand-name products.
Lindsey(dot)marcus(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Walgreen’s – close enough to walk to, and has everything I might need. I use their Wal-Phed (Sudafed equivalent) and anything else I need. I like their selection of flavored lip balms, too.
We buy probably an even mix of store brands and national brands, depending on the product and the store. It definitely helps to save money by buying store brands when we can!
WALGREENS PHARMACY IS MY FAV!
It really depend on what I am making, but store brand for the most part. Thanks!
I am new to Twitter…..http://twitter.com/#!/kattboxx…..shoot….I don’t know how to get the link directly to my post. Sorry!
I do both but the majority is probably name brands. It really depends on what it is, medicines I do name brands and toiletries I do store brands.
I am a big fan of Walgreens! When I’m sick that’s definitely my go-to place!
I also love Walgreens…I love to coupon there and great deals!! along with the register rewards!! I do buy some store brand items…I am probably a combo girl!
i buy whatever is cheapest after coupons and sales! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/41318943125807104
I’m usually a store brand shopper, unless a name brand is on sale/couponable for less than the store brand costs!
We use a combination, but probably mostly the store-brand. I suppose it is because either I know/like the store’s employees or received good customer service and so want to support them or because of cost. In fact, when my son was asked by a doctor to list his OTC meds, he said “Walitin” – and then explained that it was like Claritin, but the Walgreens kind!
I buy a mix of store brands and national brands. I trust Walgreen’s brand so it’s usually my first choice unless the national brand is on sale for less.
I love private label brands. They are just as good if not better than premium brands and cost alot less! Thanks!
I used to think BRAND or nat’l brands were better but I started trying generic/store brands and found that they are just as good if not better ! We buy store brand now
my tweet
http://twitter.com/Nankani/statuses/41409242971770880
I buy store brands. It saves money!
I prefer store brand products because they are so much more affordable!
smchester at gmail dot com
I usually buy store brand unless I have a coupon that makes the name brand cost less.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/41680737098928129
Tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/crftyldy/status/41683669689184256)
ctymice@gmail.com
I shop at Walgreens all the time, at least twice a week. Love the deals that I can find at Walgreens.
I typically buy store brands of stuff, especially at Costco :D I buy their Kirkland brand all the time
Please feel free to contact me at:
allrightyes at gmail dot com
I just tweeted this giveaway here :D
http://twitter.com/#!/TimboSquad/status/41828939013951488
Please feel free to contact me at:
allrightyes at gmail dot com
I typically find store brands a better deal than even coupons combined with name brands!
I usually buy whatever’s cheaper – but I love all the Walgreens brand products. They are better than the average store brand.
I almost always buy store brand unless the name brand is on such a deep discount that it makes it worth my while.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I’d like to try the Walgreens-brand sunscreen. The commercial brands are just so darn expensive!
to save money I often buy store brands and Walgreens store brands always deliver. I just love them.
I like so many of the walgreens brands, but I especially NEED the alcohol wipes. I have a hard time finding them in other sotres so I really stock up.
pestkaj(at)yahoo(dot)com
a buy a combination.. some things don’t come in private labels so i buy name brands, and if the price difference is very small i will buy name brands.. it just kind of depends
Except for a few must-have favorite food items, I usualiy buy store brands unless I have coupons that make the name-brand stuff cheaper.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/DJJohns88/status/42245461297463296
I do whatever is most affordable.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/?status=Walgreens%20Giveaway%20-%20https://www.boomama.net/2011/02/18/walgreens-giveaway/
I love buying store brands at walgreens! so much better than paying full price of the name brands!
thanks!
gail
OM GOSH! Love Walgreens around here. Yay for giveaways!
I buy store brand and name brands. Soap is soap and acetaminophen is acetaminophen, and so on.
I buy a combination of the 2. I prefer the store brands if they are at least as good in quality as the name brands, so I suppose the deciding factor in those instances is the price.
I love store brands! I live right around the corner from Walgreens. It has been a huge lifesaver so many times. Store brands are not only cheaper, but often better than the more expensive name brands. A gift card from Walgreens would help me in my quest to save money.
I opt for store brands whenever I cannot find a national brand at a cheaper price.
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/42659955874070528
tweet
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I LOVE store brands! With a family of five I look for any way I can to save and keep us stocked up on the things we need. There are some things I prefer a name brand for, but they are few and far between anymore. I just can’t justify paying more for a fancy picture on the package and a big name on the front. Store brands are wonderful.
When it comes to store brands it depends upon the store. I trust Walgreens and yes I have bought the store brand of Walgreens because of the money that is to be saved.
I love Walgreens photo center. They have great deals.
I buy store brands mostly b/c they’re so much cheaper, unless I have a coupon or it’s a super fantastic deal.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Whatever is cheapest! I’m all about the savings :)
I’m all about store brands. They’re just like national brands, only better because they help me save money! This is very important for a mama of a 10 month old. :)
I am getting a cold. Need Walgreens!!
Combination of the two.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Kaye
I also love Walgreens! Pick me!
yay for walgreens!!
Store brands, of course! They save you so much money!
I buy whatever is most affordable. I’ve found that store brands typically taste the same. :)
Great giveaway! Hooray for Walgreens.
I usually buy store brands. If you compare the list of the ingrediants, they are the same…for 2-3 dollars cheaper :)
I’m a combo girl – but with Walgreens and Target, I always choose the store brand.
I buy a combination, depending on the product. Certain foods I just “have” my brands, but I’m always open to the store brand and frequently buy theirs. Love Walgreens!
I always buy store brands. I very rarely can tell the difference between the two. Cheerios, Ritz crackers, and Reese’s cups are the major exceptions!
i LOVE me some store brands!! there are very few products that i have found that are just as wonderful as the “normal trendy” brands. Walgreens is a great place to get what i need!
suzieqmckeon at yahoo dot com
I too find much value in Walgreens branding.
We always buy the store brand over the counter drugs ’cause they are GOOOOOOOOD! If I win, I’ll go buy more drugs…..you know what I mean.
I bought pregnancy tests for both my kids at Walgreens! Love the kids, love the store…
I usually buy store brand products verses name brand because they’re cheaper and do the same job. :)
I love Walgreens, not only for prescriptions, but my favorite shopping to do there is for cosmetics, gifts, and their seasonal items. ;) GO WALGREEN’S!
buy store brands
I love Walgreens too! So much so that husband said that if I would quit going there so much we would have enough money to buy a cabin in the mountains! And he wasn’t kidding! I use a lot of the store brands! Most are made by the National companies and they just put a store label on them!
I am a huge fan of Wal-greens. Sometimes I go there just because I’m bored! Love their cosmetic section.
Typically, I buy non-food items private brands and most food items national brand. It’s not me, it’s my husband – he’s very picky about foods. But there are certain store brand food items we use because I tricked him into trying it. At lower prices, we save lots with store brands.
Here is the URL to my tweet about the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/#!/frelle/status/43375964650094592