When you are walking down the supermarket aisle, the options can be overwhelming. On one hand, you see well-known brands, with their vibrant packaging and heavy advertising. On the other hand, there are generic items, which are often cheaper but less familiar. Opting for store brands can be a wise way to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Store brands are manufactured by outside manufacturers, under the store’s brand. Often, these items are almost identical to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Store brands don’t include the high costs of advertising that name brands build into the price.

Many people think that cheaper products are not as good, more info but blind taste tests have shown that customers frequently can’t distinguish between store brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, the quality is virtually the same.

In the case of medicines, the core ingredients are monitored and must comply with the same safety rules, so whether you’re buying name-brand pain relievers or generic pills, you’re receiving a similar product at a lower price.

In other categories like cleaners, you might feel a bit risky to switch to generics, but it’s often worth it. In case a cleaner isn’t quite right, the money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even provide return policies on their private-label items, eliminating the risk to try.

The key is that you can start small. Try switching a few items at first—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or snacks. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your grocery bill without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.