It surprised some when, in May, General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), announced its intention to sell of its appliance business. Appliances have long been a core business for GE, which traces its lineage back to inventor Thomas Edison and was one of the first companies on the Dow. But GE also has a history of acquisitions, divestitures, and reorganizations, and there have been frequent calls for GE to shed its less profitable units. GE said it expects to receive between $5 million and $8 million for its refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave maker, but recent economic pressures have made the sale both critical for GE and difficult to achieve. Companies reported to be interested in GE's appliance business include South Korean conglomerate LG Group.

Word was out back in April that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) and privately held M&M Mars planned to spend $22 billion to buy gum company Wrigley. Both Wrigley and Mars are family dynasties, and both brands are widely available in the U.S. and overseas, though Wrigley does well outside the U.S. while Mars does better in the domestic market. Many investors trust Warren Buffett's investment decisions, and in Wrigley he saw a sustainable long-term business, strong management, and a business that's easy to understand. But others questioned whether there were enough redundancies between the two firms to generate cost savings, and whether the price tag on the deal was too hefty.

Share the reasons for your Unexpected Brand Castoff pick in the comments, or let us know about any contenders we overlooked. Also be sure to see the rest of the Best & Worst in Money 2008.