I hear ya. I'm generally a very frugal shopper, but there are a few things I'll only buy in a certain brand. I didn't believe it for a long time, but my wife convinced me over the years that certain brands of pasta are a lot better and worth a little extra cost. Barilla I think is the best basic pasta. But there are more expensive imported Italian brands that are amazing.
I'll only but Land O Lakes butter too lol. But many things I'm fine with any brand or generic