When you’re strolling down the supermarket aisle, the choices can be daunting. 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 cheaper but not as well-known. Opting for store brands can be a smart way to cut costs without losing quality.

Private label products are produced by third-party companies, under the store’s brand. Often, these products are almost identical to their name-brand counterparts. The main difference? Store brands don’t include 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 store brands and popular brands. In particular when it comes to common household items like flour, check here the 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 getting the same thing at a fraction of the cost.

In other categories like toiletries, you might feel a bit risky to try store brands, though you might be surprised. In case a product doesn’t meet your standards, the money saved will compensate over time. Many stores even provide return policies on their private-label items, eliminating the risk to try.

The key is that you don’t have to go all-in at once. Try switching a few staples at first—like baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or basic groceries. Over time, you may be surprised how much you’ve cut from your budget. By being open to private labels, you can make a big difference in your grocery bill without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.