Does a higher price tag really mean a better product?

This week, Daze checks out note-taking supplies.

You can get a generic notebook at The Cornell Store for a tiny price. However, the paper won’t have the nice perforations for ripping it out, is flimsy, rips easily and ink runs through the cheap paper quite easily. These notebooks, while a deal, are of such poor quality that I don’t recommend them even to the most cash-strapped student. — $1.50

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 is smooth and smells fantastic. It can be conveniently squeezed onto your lips, which is great, but when my lips are chapped, it just doesn’t do the trick. I need to constantly reapply just to maintain some semblance of moistness. For such a pricey little tube, I expect lip balm to be a bit more effective — not an unreasonable request. — $6.50

The most expensive toothpaste sold at Target, Rembrandt is grainy and tastes terrible. When I brush my teeth I expect smooth, delicious toothpaste — this is neither. While it claims to whiten, I never saw any results. Save the two dollars and buy yourself a pack of gum instead. — $5.79

Rembrandt toothpaste

Colgate toothpaste is by far the tastiest and keeps your breath smelling fresh with its mini breath strips. In an easy to use and non-messy stand-up tube, this toothpaste is a brilliant blue color and the ideal texture for toothpastes. I am loyal to the blue, although all the flavors (colors) are good. — $2.39

Almay Intense I-color Wins

Butter is one of the staples that I constantly keep stocked in my fridge. The old standby, Wegman’s store brand butter, always works well, particularly for baking. This butter is flavorful but simple, lacking in complexity but fine when melted.

— $2.19

Does a higher price tag really mean a better product? This week, we check out snacks and shoes.

After a long, cold day of skiing, one of my favorite treats is a nice plate of gooey mac and cheese. In Park City, Utah, this break, I enjoyed a nice plate of truffled mac & cheese at Zoom Park City. Made with fresh pasta, white cheddar cheese and shaved truffles, the meal was gooey but bland, not to mention outrageously overpriced. — $55.00