Household items you're paying too much for

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  1. Find out which household items you could be saving money on. Forbes lists the 10 everyday things you're paying too much for.

    Courtesy: Ivan Hunter

  2. Body wash. Bulky plastic bottles that are rarely used up and fragrances that wash away will always cost more than a simple bar of soap.

    Courtesy: Assembly

  3. Bottled water. Ditch bottled water for a filter pitcher or an inexpensive filter on the kitchen tap (average cost, less than $30). Fill up a reusable bottle before leaving home and you could cut your drinking water costs by 75 percent.

    Courtesy: Berenger Zyla

  4. Room Fragrances & Candles. U.S. consumers spend more than $5 billion on room deodorizers, scented oils and candles each year. That's $5 billion up in flames or evaporated every 12 months.

    Courtesy: Anthony-Masterson

  5. Household cleaners. With few exceptions, effective cleaners can be made with a few low-cost items, namely baking soda, vinegar, water and bleach.

    Courtesy: Peter Dazeley

  6. Laundry Detergents. Try store brands first and, if you’re not satisfied, take advantage of manufacturer coupons and store specials for savings of up to 70 percent.

    Courtesy: JazzIRT

  7. Digital appliances. Experts say that in most cases, the tried and true analog version of an appliance will last the longest and save money over time versus the digital version.

    Courtesy: A Carmichael

  8. Over-The-Counter-Medications. Experts say a brand name bottle of aspirin, ibuprofen or other pain relievers can cost 40 percent more than the generic version.

    Courtesy: Tom Cockrem

  9. Replacement products. Buying refill packs of detergents, soaps and cleaners rather than another new bottle or dispenser can save at least a couple cents per ounce.

    Courtesy: Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc

  10. Shampoo. Drugstore shampoos like Suave can be just as good and a lot less expensive than salon versions, consumer testers have found.

    Courtesy: Nuts

  11. Toothbrushes. You don't need a new toothbrush more than the two times per year you're supposed to visit the dentist, and usually you get a free one there. Otherwise, go for what's cheapest with the most features.

    Courtesy: Raimund Koch

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