My Top Ten Favorite Products and Why

If you've ever taken a basic marketing class, you've learned about brand and product loyalty. I have brand/product loyalty to the max!

I am a marketer's nightmare because I buy the same products over and over; and no matter how heavily they inundate me with ads, commercials, free samples, etc. I barely ever take the bait.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all about trying new products (at least once) and do so all the time. But if a certain product has done me right for many years, I'll stick with it and all others can hit the curb.

Here are my top ten “can't-live-without” products:

Kroger's Everyday Living Auto Dish Detergent: It retails for $3.49, but is on sale more times than it's not. Dare I say...it does a better job washing the dishes than the brand name dish washing detergents.

Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner: I've used this product since I first moved out of my parents' house. It's not too foamy or soapy. It does it's job like it's supposed to. It's antibacterial and you can usually find a coupon for it. Win win win win.

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: What in the world are those things made of? They clean just about everything with very little effort. How? And they disintegrate so quickly during tough jobs. Why? They're so weird, but oh so awesome.

Rosenthal's Multipurpose Rug & Upholstery Cleaner: My Grandma introduced me to this little gem. You just spray it or pour it on a stain on your carpet and it literally disappears with very little scrubbing. Amazing. I don't know why it's such an unknown product, but I'm making it my personal mission to spread the word about how well it works.

Havarti Cheese: This isn't a brand loyalty kind of thing. This is a total obsession with this type of cheese -- kind of thing. I love havarti cheese enough to pay full price at $7.99 per pound, just to be able to melt it over ham to make the most decadent ham sandwich ever or eat it cold with a cracker or melt it with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs to pour over grilled chicken breasts. YUM!

Zojirushi Bread Machine: I call my Zojirushi Bread Machine my “Cadillac.” I told my husband that I really wanted one “eventually, some day,” since they cost as much as a lawn mower. But, true to form, he surprised me with one for my birthday this year. And, let me tell you, I am beyond impressed. It makes “normal” loaves instead of “tower” loaves and everything that comes out of it is supreme. It even makes jam and meatloaf! Isn't that crazy? Incidentally, I intend on dedicating an entire post to “bread machine baking.” That's soon to come.

5 Hour Energy Shots: They “perk” you up without making you jittery or making you crash. I'm sure different people react different ways to it. But for me, it makes me a little more alert and ready to take on the day. Plus, they are loaded with vitamins, have very little caffeine and are manufactured in Michigan!

Ringers Lawn Fertilizer: It is organic, making it safe for kids and animals, and it makes your lawn strong, plush and green. It's expensive, so if you're looking for the same kind of results, you can try Milogronite. It's very similar, organic as well, and a lot cheaper.

Ninja Food Processor/Blender: I love my Ninja. I use it for chopping stuff, making smoothies and (ahem) mixing up some adult frozen drinks for my friends. The Ninja rocks at ALL of that. It is also met with rave reviews online. I would have never known it even existed if my Dad hadn't bought me one for Christmas. I'm so glad he did. I'm addicted now.

Homemade Baby Wipes: Okay, I know this is not an actual product, but I love homemade baby wipes so much. I just had to share. Saw a roll of strong paper towels in half (table saws work great for this, but you could use a good old serrated knife). Put the half roll in a container that has a lid (I found a perfect container at a dollar store). Mix two cups of hot water with 2 tablespoons of your favorite baby wash and 2 tablespoons of baby oil. Pour it over the roll, pull the cardboard core out (it will probably pull the first wipe with it) and voila! Homemade baby wipes for a fraction of the price! I give these as gifts at baby showers with a pretty note card attached with the instructions. They always seem to be a big hit.

Now that I've given you my list of my favorite products, I'd love to know what yours are! If you give me your “favorites” list, I'll be sure to try them out (unless they're the price of a lawn mower) and I'll comment about them below.