When you are looking down the supermarket aisle, the choices can be overwhelming. 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 items are very similar to their name-brand counterparts. The main check here difference? Store brands don’t include the high costs of advertising that name brands build into their pricing.

Many people think that store brands are lower quality, but research studies have shown that shoppers often can’t tell the difference store brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to common household items like salt, the quality is practically identical.

In the case of medicines, the active ingredients are monitored and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying name-brand pain relievers or store-brand versions, you’re getting the same thing at a fraction of the cost.

In additional areas like paper goods, you might feel more hesitant to try store brands, though you might be surprised. In case a product isn’t quite right, the money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even provide return policies on store-brand products, making it risk-free to try.

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