When you are walking down the supermarket aisle, the choices 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 not as well-known. Opting for store brands can be a wise way to cut costs without sacrificing value.

Store brands are produced by outside manufacturers, under the store’s brand. Often, these items are very similar to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? here Private label options don’t come with the high costs of advertising that name brands build into the price.

Many people think that store brands are lower quality, but research studies have shown that customers frequently can’t distinguish between store brands and popular brands. Especially when it comes to basic pantry staples like canned goods, the quality is practically identical.

In the case of medicines, the active ingredients are monitored and must comply with the same safety rules, so whether you’re buying name-brand pain relievers or store-brand versions, you’re receiving a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

In additional areas like cleaners, you might feel a bit risky to try store brands, but it’s often worth it. In case a cleaner doesn’t meet your standards, the savings will compensate over time. Many retailers even offer return policies on store-brand products, making it risk-free to try.

The key is that you can start small. Swap out a few staples at first—like baking ingredients, household items, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve saved. By being open to store brands, you can make a big difference in your household budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.