When you’re strolling down the grocery store aisle, the choices can be daunting. 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 smart way to save money without sacrificing quality.

Private label products are manufactured by outside manufacturers, but sold under the retailer’s name. Often, these products are almost identical to name-brand versions. The main difference? Store brands don’t come with expensive marketing campaigns that name brands build into their pricing.

Many people assume that cheaper products are lower quality, but research studies have shown that shoppers frequently can’t tell the difference store brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to basic pantry staples like salt, 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 branded medicine or store-brand versions, you’re getting the same thing at a fraction of the cost.

In other categories like cleaners, you might feel more hesitant to switch to generics, though you might be surprised. In Budget-friendly shopping case a cleaner doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved can add up over time. Many stores even provide money-back guarantees on their private-label items, making it risk-free to try.

The important thing is that you can start small. Try switching a few staples at first—such as baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or snacks. Over time, you'll likely notice how much you’ve saved. By being open to private labels, you can make a big difference in your grocery bill without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.