When you’re 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 store-brand items, which are often more affordable but not as well-known. Choosing store brands can be a wise way to save money without losing quality.

Private label products are manufactured by third-party companies, under the store’s brand. Often, these products are almost identical to name-brand versions. The main difference? Private label options don’t include expensive marketing campaigns that national brands build into their pricing.

Many people think that store brands are lower quality, but blind taste tests have shown that customers often can’t tell the difference store brands and popular brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, the quality is virtually the same.

In the case of medicines, the active ingredients are regulated and must comply with the same safety rules, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or generic pills, you’re getting the same thing at a lower price.

In other categories like cleaners, it may seem a bit risky to switch to generics, but it’s often worth it. Even if a cleaner doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even provide money-back guarantees on store-brand products, eliminating the risk to try.

The key is that you can start small. Try switching a get more info few staples initially—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without missing out on the quality you expect.