Thrifty Strategy- Private Label Brands

Looking in my shopping cart today at Target, I realized that almost every product I buy, from Up and Up baby wipes and toilet paper to Market Pantry crushed tomatoes and whole wheat bread, is from the private label line (otherwise known as store brand or in the olden days, generic). Why is this? Because private label products have become just as good if not better than national brands. We've come a long way since the days of generic packages in black and white with questionable ingredients. In some cases, food companies even make both branded and private label products in the same facility with the same ingredients. There has been a rise in the popularity of private label products, especially groceries, in the past few years. Here's a recent article about the phenomenon.

When I'm grocery shopping, whether at Target or elsewhere, I look for a private label version of each product I need. In most cases, there is one available. However, sometimes the national brands are on sale at a lower price point than the private label. I also clip coupons for certain brands (for instance, Yoplait yogurt is a good deal when you use a coupon).

So next time you're at your local grocery store and are reaching for that branded package you saw an ad for, give the store brand a try. You will save money and will most likely enjoy it just as much.