When you are looking down the grocery store aisle, the choices can be overwhelming. 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 wise way to save money without losing quality.

Store brands are produced by outside manufacturers, but sold under the retailer’s name. Often, these items are almost identical to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Private label options don’t come with the high costs of advertising that national brands build into the price.

Many people assume that cheaper products are lower quality, but blind taste tests have shown that shoppers frequently can’t distinguish between generic brands and name brands. In particular when it comes to common household items like salt, the quality is virtually the same.

In the case of medicines, the core ingredients are regulated and must meet the same standards, so whether you’re buying branded medicine or generic pills, you’re receiving a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

In additional areas like cleaners, 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 stores even offer money-back guarantees on store-brand products, making it risk-free to try.

The important thing is that you can start small. Try switching a few staples at first—like baking ingredients, check here household items, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve cut from your budget. By being open to store brands, you’ll notice significant savings in your household budget without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.