When you are looking down the grocery store aisle, the choices can be daunting. On one hand, you see name-brand products, with their vibrant 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 losing quality.

Private label products are produced by outside manufacturers, under the store’s brand. Often, these products are almost identical to name-brand versions. The main difference? Store brands don’t come with the high costs of advertising that national brands build into their pricing.

Many people think that cheaper products are not as good, but blind taste tests have shown that customers frequently can’t distinguish between store brands and popular brands. In particular when it comes to common household items like canned goods, the Store brands vs name brands product is virtually the same.

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 generic pills, you’re receiving a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

In other categories like paper goods, you might feel more hesitant to try store brands, but it’s often worth it. Even if a product doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved will compensate over time. Many stores even offer return policies on store-brand products, eliminating the risk to try.

The key is that you can start small. Try switching a few items at first—like baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or snacks. 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 missing out on the quality you expect.