When you are looking down the grocery store aisle, the choices can be daunting. On one hand, you see well-known brands, with their eye-catching packaging and heavy advertising. On the other hand, there are generic items, which are often more affordable but less familiar. Choosing store brands can be a smart way to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Private label products are produced by third-party companies, under the store’s brand. Often, these products are very similar to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Private label options don’t include expensive marketing campaigns that name brands build into the price.

Many people think that store brands are not as good, but blind taste tests have shown that customers frequently can’t distinguish between generic brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to common household items like canned goods, the quality is practically identical.

In the case of medicines, the core ingredients are regulated and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or store-brand versions, you’re getting the same thing at a lower price.

In read more other categories like toiletries, it may seem more hesitant to try store brands, but it’s often worth it. In case a cleaner isn’t quite right, the savings will compensate over time. Many retailers even offer return policies on store-brand products, eliminating the risk to try.

The key is that you don’t have to go all-in at once. Swap out a few items initially—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or basic groceries. Over time, you'll likely notice how much you’ve saved. By being open to store brands, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.