11 Grocery Shopping Tips Experts Use to Save Money

7. Choose store brands for basics

Store brands often deliver similar quality for a lower price. Research shows store-brand frozen produce can be roughly 30% cheaper than name-brand options. Try swapping staples—rice, pasta, canned beans, and frozen vegetables—to a trusted private label for several weeks and compare. Many store brands now meet or exceed expectations, and you may only need to keep a few name-brand items you or your family prefer. When testing a swap, buy a single package of the store brand, use it in a familiar recipe, and judge taste and texture. If it passes, make the change permanent. For dairy and pantry staples, store brands are usually the best first step to lower bills. Keep a note of the ones that work for you—over time, those choices add up to meaningful weekly savings.