ALLEN — Some things women just won't compromise on.

But a new survey by consumer reports says more shoppers than ever are increasingly willing to switch away from brand-named personal care products, medicines, cleaning products and food.

As green disappears from our purses and wallets more North Texans are going generic.

Professional shopper Cheryl Jackson is surprised more people don't know - it really might just be a difference of a label.

"When it doesn't matter to you, then pick those things that don't matter to you. Pick the (generic) trash bags because the same manufacturer is making them, just a different label and it's probably the same product," she said.

Through her Sisters of Savings Web site, Jackson links more than 1,500 budget-conscious shoppers to weekly deals.

Sometimes, she says, there is a difference in quality, but less often than you would think.

News 8 followed her on a quick run through a Kroger grocery in Allen to find four basic items comparing generic versus brand names. She started with bread.

Research shows shoppers pick brands that remind us of childhood. But with a savings of $1.56 per loaf, she said some may want to move past the memories.

"I have a full gallon of milk down here for 2/$5, making it $2.50 each. Your name-brand milk is $4.99 a gallon. That's a half-price difference. Folks, this comes from the same cow," she said.

News 8 saved $1 on soda and got soap for free, with triple coupons.

Buying generics and using coupons, $5 was saved on four items. It's a weekly savings that over a year would save $260.

E-mail bhawkins@wfaa.com