When it comes to saving money on groceries and everyday items, one of the most common strategies is choosing store brands over name brands. Many shoppers are often skeptical about the quality of store brands, which are typically priced lower than their name-brand counterparts. However, significant savings can be realized without sacrificing quality. In this article, we’ll compare store brands and name brands across various categories and stores, providing specific examples to illustrate where you can save the most.

The perception that name brands are of higher quality is often a result of extensive marketing.

Cost Comparison Breakdown

Store brands are typically 15% to 30% cheaper than name brands. This price disparity primarily stems from the marketing and advertising costs that name brands bear, which are then passed on to the consumer.

So I thought it would be interesting to do some price comparisons on some popular grocery items to give you an idea of the savings store-brands can provide.

Health and Beauty

– Pain Relievers: CVS Health ibuprofen sells for $7 for a bottle of 100 tablets, while Advil sells its version for $9.49. Choosing CVS’s brand saves 26%.

– Shampoo: At Walgreens, their store brand shampoo costs $3.99 for a 12.5 oz bottle, while Pantene Pro-V shampoo of the same size is priced at $4.79, making the store brand 17% cheaper.

Breakfast Items

– Oatmeal: Quaker Oats sells their instant oatmeal at $3.67 for a 10-pack, while Aldi’s Millville brand offers a similar 10-pack for $1.59. Choosing Millville can save shoppers approximately 57%.

– Cereals: At Walmart, Great Value corn flakes are priced at $2.48 for an 18 oz box, while Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cost $3.98 for the same size. This represents a savings of about 38%.

– Yogurt: Chobani Greek Yogurt typically costs $1.19 per 5.3 oz cup. In contrast, Trader Joe’s store brand Greek yogurt sells for $0.99 for the same size, offering a savings of 17%.

CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION

Keep in mind that the lower price of store brands does not necessarily mean lower quality. Many store brands are actually manufactured in the same facilities as name brands, using similar or identical formulas. This is especially true with the Kirkland brand at Costco.

Baking Supplies

– Flour: A 5 lb bag of King Arthur Flour typically costs around $4.79. Compare this with Walmart’s Great Value brand, priced at $2.26 for the same quantity, providing about 53% in savings.

– Sugar: Domino Sugar, a popular name brand, sells its 4 lb bag for about $3.29, while Kroger’s store brand sugar costs just $2.19 for the same size bag, offering a 33% cost reduction.

Dairy Products

– Cheese: Kraft Cheddar Cheese (8 oz block) retails for approximately $2.69. ALDI’s Happy Farms cheddar cheese, also 8 oz, is priced at $1.89, saving customers 30%.

– Butter: A pound of Land O’Lakes butter typically costs $4.49. In contrast, Trader Joe’s store brand butter sells for $2.99 per pound, cutting the price by 33%.

– Milk: A gallon of Kroger brand milk costs around $2.59, compared to $3.49 for a gallon of Horizon Organic. Shopping Kroger’s own brand saves about 26%.

– Ice Cream: Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream (pint) retails for around $4.39. However, Safeway’s Signature Select vanilla ice cream, also a pint, is priced at $2.99, saving consumers approximately 32%.

Condiments

– Ketchup: Heinz Ketchup (20 oz bottle) is priced at around $2.59. Walmart’s Great Value ketchup of the same size costs $1.00, presenting a 61% saving.

– Mayonnaise: Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise (30 oz) is generally sold for $4.29. Costco’s Kirkland Signature Real Mayonnaise of the same size is $2.89, offering a saving of about 33%.

Pasta, Veggies & Rice

– Spaghetti: A 16 oz package of Barilla spaghetti usually costs $1.29. Compare this with Target’s Market Pantry spaghetti, priced at $0.95 for the same size, saving shoppers 26%.

– Rice: Uncle Ben’s Original Rice (2 lb bag) is priced at $3.48, whereas Kroger’s store brand rice of the same weight costs $1.99, yielding a savings of 43%.

– Canned Vegetables: Target’s Market Pantry canned green beans are $0.55 for a 14.5 oz can, whereas Green Giant’s equivalent is $1.19. The store brand offers more than 50% savings.

Snacks and Sweets

– Cookies: Oreo cookies (standard pack) are typically $3.67. Publix’s store brand cookies of the same type are $2.29 per pack, offering about 38% in savings.

– Potato Chips: A 9 oz bag of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips costs $3.29 at most stores. Compare this with Publix’s store brand, which offers a 10 oz bag for $2.00, saving customers around 39%.

– Chocolate Bars: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar (1.55 oz) is priced around $0.89, while Dollar General’s Clover Valley brand is only $0.50 for the same size, representing a 44% savings.

Beverages & Coffee

– Coffee: Starbucks 12 oz ground coffee sells for $7.99 at most supermarkets. The equivalent from Walmart’s Great Value brand is only $3.88, yielding more than 51% in savings.

– Tea Bags: Lipton Black Tea (100 count) is often priced at $4.99, while ALDI’s Benner Classic Tea Bags (100 count) cost $1.89, showing a cost reduction of 62%.

MANY STORE BRANDS TASTE BETTER

In blind taste tests conducted by several consumer advocacy groups, many store brand products actually OUTPERFORM their name brand counterparts. For example, Trader Joe’s O’s cereal has been frequently rated higher in taste and quality compared to Cheerios.

Frozen Foods

– Frozen Pizza: DiGiorno Original Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza typically costs $6.99, but Target’s Market Pantry version sells for $4.50. That’s a saving of about 25%.

– Frozen Vegetables: Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Mixed Vegetables (10 oz) cost around $2.19, whereas Walmart’s Great Value brand offers the same amount for $1.00. Customers save approximately 54% by choosing the store brand.

Personal Care

– Toothpaste: Colgate Cavity Protection (6 oz) is usually around $1.67. Costco’s Kirkland Signature Fluoride Toothpaste, which offers two 6.4 oz tubes, costs $4.49. This breaks down to roughly $1.11 per tube, saving about 34%.

– Body Wash: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (22 oz) sells for $6.88. Comparatively, Walgreens’ store brand, Complete Home, sells a similar product for $4.99 for the same quantity, saving 27%.

Household Items

– Laundry Detergent: Costco’s Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean is $17.99 for 152 loads. Comparatively, Tide Original, which offers 96 loads, costs $19.99. Per load, Kirkland costs about 12 cents, while Tide costs about 21 cents – a savings of 43%.

LOYALTY HAS A PRICE

Despite the potential savings and comparable quality, some consumers remain loyal to name brands due to habits or perceived prestige. But it’s TIME TO CHANGE your mindset. Many are making a permanent switch after realizing the value and it’s time for you to consider the same.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

In some cases, store brands also offer better value in terms of ethical considerations, such as organic certification and eco-friendly packaging, at a lower price point than name brands.

For example, Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value products often meet or exceed the environmental and ethical standards set by more expensive name brands.

10 Name Brands That Can Be Cheaper:

Finding instances where name brands are cheaper (or nearly as cheap) as store brands can be a bit challenging.

However, during sales, promotions, or with the use of coupons, name brands can indeed come close to or even undercut the prices of store brands.

Here are 10 examples where this often occurs:

1. Cereal: During a promotional sale, a name brand like General Mills Cheerios might be on sale for $2.50 for a large box, which could be less expensive than the store brand equivalent at a regular price of $2.75.

2. Pasta Sauce: Name brands like Prego or Ragu often offer coupons that reduce their price significantly, potentially making them cheaper or comparable to store brands. For instance, with a $1 off coupon, a jar of Prego could come down to $1.50, similar to or less than a store brand priced at $1.75.

3. Diapers: Major brands like Pampers or Huggies sometimes offer bulk purchase deals or discounts through loyalty programs, making them more cost-effective per diaper compared to store brands, especially when also considering rewards points or cash back.

4. Soft Drinks: Coca-Cola or Pepsi products are frequently on sale, especially during holiday weekends or major sporting events, where the price per can or bottle could drop below the store brand soda prices.

5. Bottled Water: Name brands like Aquafina or Dasani often have sales that price them competitively with store brands, particularly at big box stores or during summer promotions.

6. Toothpaste: Colgate and Crest frequently have coupons available that can make their prices comparable to or less than those of store brand toothpaste, particularly for the basic varieties.

7. Laundry Detergent: Tide and Gain, known for their effectiveness, occasionally offer manufacturer coupons or store-based loyalty discounts that make them a good deal compared to store brands, especially per wash calculations.

8. Peanut Butter: Jif and Skippy often go on sale and can be cheaper with a coupon or during a BOGO (buy-one-get-one) sale compared to store brands.

9. Chicken Broth: Swanson’s chicken broth is sometimes sold at a lower price than store brands when bought in bulk or on sale around major cooking holidays like Thanksgiving.

10. Baking Mixes: Betty Crocker cake mixes and brownie mixes often go on sale for $1.00 or less, which can be as cheap as or cheaper than store brand mixes.

These scenarios are typical examples of how strategic shopping, taking advantage of sales, using coupons, and participating in loyalty programs can make name brands as affordable as—or even cheaper than—store brands.

Always keeping an eye on weekly ads and digital coupons can help shoppers make the most of these opportunities.

While brand loyalty and preferences might still sway some, the economic benefits of switching to store brands are evident.

TAKE THE LEAP

The next time you’re at the grocery store dive-in and buy a couple store brands that you’ve never tried before. It’s really the only way to figure out if they’re a quality substitute as personal tastes vary wildly. The potential for savings is undeniable in a time where every dollar counts.

Ask the Reader: What store brands are you most fond of, both in terms of taste and price? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Every time I go to a big-box store, or the grocery store, I need someone to help me lift my chin off the ground after I look a the prices. Is there no end to this? The news say inflation is slowing down, but the truth of the matter is that these prices are the new norm, we’ll never go back to pre-pandemic prices. So instead of complaining about it, I’m fighting back and these 12 retail hacks are a nice start. I hope you find them as helpful as I have.

1. Know Target’s Markdown Schedule

Target does department specific markdowns throughout the week.

For example, shop on a Monday for fresh deals on electronics and kid‘s clothing.

Tuesdays are great for women’s clothing and pet products.

Thursday is the day for deals on housewares, shoes, and toys.

Use this insider info to your advantage and save money on stuff you’d be buying anyways.

2. Amazon Package Arrive Late? Score a FREE $10

If Amazon Prime does NOT hold up their end of the bargain of 2-day shipping, hit up Amazon live chat and let them know.

Chat reps are handing out a $10 credit or 1-month of free Prime for the inconvenience.

Late delivery happens to me all the time and it basically pays my annual fee for Prime.

PRO TIP

Many Amazon Business account have been getting deliveries in 2-days since day one. If you’ve ever considered a free business account, this may be the time to give it a try and potentially get much faster delivery.

See Also: Shrinkflation is REAL and Here’s How to Fight Back

3. Save Big On Meats at Walmart

When shopping for meats at Walmart, look for packaged meat that has a Sell By Date of today or tomorrow’s date and politely ask an employee if they can mark it down for you.

99% of the time they‘ll print out a yellow Clearance price tag to put on the meat, which will save you a whopping 40% off the original price.

If you have the freezer space, this is a great time to stock up and save BIG.

4. Become an Expert Price Negotiator at Lowe’s

I recently saved $110 at Lowe‘s by negotiating the price on a washer/dryer.

They WANT you to do it.

The KEYS are to look for imperfections, bundle Items when possible, and to look for returned special orders.

Managers want all 3 out of the store ASAP making them great chances to save.

5. Save By Knowing the Best Values at Trader Joe’s

I talked to over a dozen TJ employees and was told in NO uncertain terms that the best buys include their specialty cheeses, frozen meals, dried pasta, 5 seeds almond bars, private label beer, wine, bananas, and coffee.

Check out the full list here.

6. Shop on Tuesday Mornings at Costco

I interviewed several Costco employees and was told TUESDAY mornings is the best time to shop.

You avoid the Monday business owners, the Wednesday coupon users, and of course the busy rush that comes with shopping on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

7. Learn TJ Maxx Price Tag Secrets

Learn how to read price tags at TJ Maxx to determine what kind of a deal you’re getting.

For example, if you see an item with a red price tag sticker, it means the item has been marked down at least once, sometimes 2 or 3 times.

If you see an item with a yellow price tag, it means the item has been reduced to FINAL markdown and is the lowest the price will go.

8.Get Creative and Save BIG at Starbucks

A 24 oz. Venti Frappuccino at Starbucks is about the size of a gas can.

When indulging with a friend, order a Venti with 2 Tall cups (12 oz each) and split it yourself.

Politely ask for two cups and they’ll happily oblige.

You’ll pay $6.25 for the Venti instead of a ridiculous $10.90 for two Talls.

ALWAYS opt for the Venti and split it and save money.

If you don’t have anyone to split it with then save half in the fridge.

9. Vets and Active Military Get 10% Discount at Home Depot

The best part about this little-known 10% Home Depot military discount is that it‘s good for spouses as well.

It’s all done through the Home Depot app and requires you to show a QR code via your phone when checking out.

10. Amazon’s Hidden Coupon Page

Did you know Amazon has a page full of coupons?

They keep it hidden for a reason as they’d rather NOT have every shopper know about it.

The coupons will save you up to 40% off baby and child care products, home and kitchen stuff, and even name brands electronics.

Always start your shopping on this page and save every time you shop.

11. Negotiate a Lower Price at Best Buy As Well

The stuff at Best Buy you can always ask for a lower price on includes open-box products, damaged packaging, clearance items, and bundled items.

Bundled items include things like buying a TV and soundbar together and asking for a 15% discount.

PRO TIP

Also try to negotiate at Best Buy towards the end of the month when managers are trying to meet sales goals. So you know I’m not blowing smoke, I personally talked to a manager who gave me this tip.

12. Over 55? Shop at Ross on a Tuesday

Every Ross store offers seniors a 10% discount on Tuesdays and the discount can even be used on clearance merchandise.

If you‘re not 55, be sure to shop on a Monday.

I had an employee tell me that Monday is the day they do their markdowns so you‘ll get FIRST DIBS on the new clearance deals.

Ask the Reader: Give me your favorite little unknown “hack” at any of these spots or maybe a different retailer or restaurant. Would love to look into it and potentially add it to my article.

By Kyle James

Hobby Lobby is a haven for craft enthusiasts, offering a wide range of supplies for everything from scrapbooking and painting to home decor and seasonal decorations. However, frequent trips to this wonderland can quickly add up, so savvy shoppers need to know the best ways to save. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of tips and tricks to help you maximize your savings at Hobby Lobby.

1. The Famous 40% Off Coupon is Gone…BUT

Hobby Lobby was well-known for its perpetual 40% off coupon, which they offered until 2021.

Although this specific coupon is no longer available, the store frequently releases similar high-value coupons.

Always check their website Weekly Ad or the top of your store receipt before shopping to see if any such coupons are available.

These can be applied to the highest-priced item in your cart, providing significant savings.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Sales Cycle

Hobby Lobby’s sales cycle is predictable, which can be a MAJOR advantage if you know how to use it.

Most categories go on sale once every three to four weeks.

Home decor items might be 50% off one week, and the next week, crafting supplies or fabric might be on sale.

By understanding this cycle, you can plan your purchases around when your needed items are likely to be discounted.

PRO TIP

Don’t be afraid to talk to employees, I’ve found they are very open with sale cycle information. Some locations do things differently so it’s totally worth your time to strike up a conversation and get some insider info on when stuff tends to go on sale.

3. Shop Seasonal Clearance Sales

One of the best times to save at Hobby Lobby is during seasonal clearance sales.

After major holidays, leftover seasonal items are typically marked down 50% off the day after the holiday, with discounts increasing to 75% or even 90% off over the following weeks.

This is an excellent opportunity to stock up on supplies for the next year.

4. Price Matching Policy

Hobby Lobby will price match items from a competitor’s printed ad, provided the exact same item is in stock at their store.

This means if you find a lower price at another store, bring in the advertisement to claim the same price at Hobby Lobby.

Note that they do not honor competitors’ percent-off ads or coupons.

Also, keep in mind that they exclude the following from a price match: Holiday door buster ads, Cricut, Silhouette, Sizzix, Cuttlebug, Simplicity & McCall’s patterns, clearance, and closeout items.

PRO TIP

Hobby Lobby will only do a price match in-store and NOT online. When it comes to competing stores, your best bets will be using Joann Fabrics and Michaels pricing to try and save some money.

5. Take Advantage of Online Sales

Shopping online at Hobby Lobby can also lead to significant savings, especially if you live far from a store.

Online sales are often different from in-store sales, so you might find better deals or unique items not available at your local Hobby Lobby.

Also, online orders sometimes offer free shipping promotions, adding to your savings.

See Also: Hobby Lobby Employee Discounts, Benefits, and Perks

6. Follow Social Media and Email Newsletters

For the most dedicated deal-seekers, following Hobby Lobby on social media and subscribing to their Weekly Ad newsletter can provide early notifications about special promotions and coupons.

These platforms sometimes offer exclusive deals that are not advertised through other channels.

The best platforms to follow them are Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

7. Utilize Discount Gift Cards

Purchasing Hobby Lobby gift cards at a discount is another clever way to save.

Websites like Gift Inventory or Card Cash sell gift cards for less than face value.

Buying these discounted gift cards ahead of your shopping trips can save you an additional 5% to 10%.

8. DIY with Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby not only sells craft supplies but also provides countless free DIY project ideas and tutorials on their website and YouTube channel.

Utilizing these resources can inspire you to create something truly unique while also being cost-effective.

Sometimes, making something yourself with simple materials can be significantly cheaper than buying the finished item.

9. Watch for Daily Specials and Limited-Time Offers

In addition to the regular sales cycle, Hobby Lobby occasionally offers special daily discounts or limited-time promotions that aren’t widely advertised.

These can include deep discounts on specific product categories or flash sales available only for a day or two.

Checking their website or signing up for push notifications through the Hobby Lobby app can keep you informed about these timely offers.

10. Benefit from Holiday Hours and Special Sales

Hobby Lobby often extends its hours during the holiday season and may offer special shopping events and additional discounts.

These extended hours provide more opportunities to shop after normal business hours, which can be helpful during the busy holiday season.

Plan your shopping trips during these times to make the most of the additional hours and potential extra discounts.

11. Explore the Clearance Aisles

In many Hobby Lobby stores, there are dedicated aisles for clearance items where products are deeply discounted to make room for new stock.

These aisles often contain a wide variety of items, from home decor to crafting supplies, at significantly reduced prices.

Regular visits to these aisles can lead to finding some hidden gems at a fraction of their original price.

12. Consider the “Less Than Perfect” Section

Some Hobby Lobby locations feature a “Less Than Perfect” section where items with minor imperfections are sold at a reduced price.

These items may have slight defects or damages that do not affect their overall functionality.

Shopping from this section can save money, especially on items where appearance is not your primary concern, such as materials for practice or experimentation.

See Also: How to Negotiate a Lower Price on Things With Slight Defects

13. Participate in Store Events and Competitions

Hobby Lobby occasionally hosts events and competitions that can involve discounts or prizes.

These might include crafting contests, seasonal promotions, or DIY workshops where participants may receive discounts on their purchases during the event.

These are not only fun ways to engage with the crafting community but also great opportunities to save.

14. Educator and Non-Profit Discounts

If you are an educator or purchasing for a non-profit organization, inquire about any available discounts.

Hobby Lobby offers a discount for teachers and non-profit organizations, which can be used for buying supplies in bulk for classrooms or various projects.

This requires providing appropriate identification or documentation, so be prepared with the necessary paperwork.

15. Plan Projects Around What’s on Sale

For regular crafters, planning projects based on what materials are currently on sale can lead to significant savings.

If you have a flexible timeline for your projects, wait to purchase materials until they fall into the sales cycle.

This proactive approach ensures you’re buying materials at their lowest prices.

16. Check Out Competitor Coupons

While Hobby Lobby no longer accepts competitor coupons, being aware of competitors’ sales can still be beneficial.

You can use this information to anticipate potential price matches or to decide when it might be better to shop at a competitor based on their promotions, especially for items that rarely go on sale at Hobby Lobby.

17. Make the Most of Returns and Exchanges

Understanding Hobby Lobby’s return policy can save you money if you ever need to return an item.

Keep your receipts and be aware of the return window to ensure you can return products that are not suitable.

This helps manage your budget more effectively by preventing money from being tied up in unused items.

18. Leverage After-Christmas Sales for Crafting Supplies

Post-Christmas sales are not just for holiday items.

Hobby Lobby often includes a range of crafting supplies in their after-Christmas clearance sales.

This is an excellent time to stock up on ribbons, fabrics, and decorative items that can be repurposed for projects throughout the year.

These items can often be found at discounts of 70% or more.

19. Revisit the Basics Section

For basic crafting supplies like paper, glues, and tools that you use frequently, keep an eye on the basics section.

Hobby Lobby periodically offers discounts on these essential items, and stocking up during these times can save you money in the long run.

These sales are ideal for buying in bulk, ensuring you never run out of your most used supplies.

20. Check End Caps for Deals

End caps—the displays at the end of aisles—often feature discounted items and special buys.

These are placed prominently to catch shoppers’ attention and can sometimes offer the best deals in the store.

Products on end caps might be overstock items, last season’s products, or new items promoted at an introductory price.

21. Use the Hobby Lobby App

The Hobby Lobby app is a convenient tool for accessing coupons, checking the weekly ad, and tracking the sales cycle.

Additionally, the app can simplify the shopping experience with features like barcode scanning to check prices and availability, making it easier to plan your shopping trips and ensure you are getting the best deals.

22. Shop Off-Season

Purchasing seasonal items off-season can result in significant savings.

For instance, buying summer crafting materials in the fall or winter holiday items in January.

Hobby Lobby reduces the prices on these seasonal goods to clear out inventory, which means you can get them at a fraction of the cost if you’re willing to store them until the next year.

23. Join Crafting Classes

Hobby Lobby hosts classes and workshops that sometimes include discounts on supplies purchased for the class.

These sessions can offer not only new skills and a fun experience but also savings on materials used during the class.

Keep an eye on the store’s events calendar to join a class that interests you.

24. Optimize Your Fabric Purchases

When buying fabric, always check for remnants. Ask an employee if you can’t find them.

These are pieces of fabric left over after cutting and are usually sold at a lower price.

If you need smaller amounts of fabric for projects like quilting or crafts, remnants can provide high-quality material at a reduced cost.

25. Be Strategic with Custom Framing

Custom framing can be expensive, but Hobby Lobby frequently offers sales of 50% off custom framing or free upgrades like UV glass or matting.

If you need items framed, wait for these promotions to make the most of your investment.

By using these tips—ranging from leveraging coupons and understanding the sales cycle to shopping clearance sales and using a rewards card—you can significantly cut costs. Always stay alert for new promotions, be strategic about your shopping times, and enjoy the process of creating and decorating with all the supplies you can get at a fraction of the cost.

Ask the Reader: What’s your favorite way to save money at Hobby Lobby? Let me know.

By Kyle James