When you’re strolling down the grocery store aisle, the options 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 store-brand items, which are often cheaper but less familiar. Choosing store brands can be a wise way to save money without sacrificing 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 the high costs of advertising that national brands build into their pricing.

Many people assume that cheaper products are not as good, but blind taste tests have shown that customers often can’t tell the difference store brands and name brands. Especially when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, the product is virtually the same.

For over-the-counter medications, the active ingredients are monitored and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or store-brand versions, you’re receiving a similar product at a lower price.

In other categories like paper goods, 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 money saved will compensate over time. Many retailers even offer return policies on their private-label items, 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, household website items, or snacks. Over time, you'll likely notice how much you’ve cut from your budget. By being open to store brands, you’ll notice significant savings in your grocery bill without missing out on the quality you expect.