Save Hundreds on Groceries Every Month with These 12 Cheap Brands

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In April 2024, the US Department of Agriculture reported that the weekly cost of a moderate food plan for a single adult ranges from $72 to $87. That math works out to be approximately $288 to $348 per month on groceries for just one person. Add another adult or multiple children into the equation and that monthly cost induces sticker shock for most people. It’s no secret that high grocery bills are a pain for many Americans right now, but switching to more affordable brands can save you hundreds on your groceries each month. 

Grocery Stores

These budget-friendly grocery store options usually have an in-house store brand and occasionally carry external brands at a cheaper price. These typically have almost everything you would find at a standard grocery store like Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Safeway or Publix. 

Aldi

Aldi is perfect for budget shoppers and keeps their costs low by cutting out conveniences like grocery baggers, intricate shelving displays and free-roaming shopping carts. With all these cost-saving measures, Aldi passes on the savings to shoppers. Earlier this month Aldi announced lowering prices on over 250 items in an effort that claims to save shoppers $60 million.

Lidl

This German grocery store brand has consistently low prices and is usually on par with Aldi’s pricing. According to a 2022 study by Consumer’s Checkbook, Lidl saved consumers an average of 36% compared to traditional grocery stores. 

Trader Joes

This is another German owned grocery store that comes across as the fun uncle of grocery store options. The colorful decor, rotating selection of cult-follwed goods, and notoriously small parking lots makes Trader Joes a unique spot for many budget conscious shoppers. Shopping here will likely save you slightly less than Lidl or Aldi, but you may find the quality of fresh produce and meats surpasses them. 

Walmart

Walmart is the largest supermarket in the United States, raking in $164 billion of revenue in the last quarter of 2023. They carry both external brands as well as in-house brands like Great Value and the recently added BetterGoods. As such a massive supermarket, they’re able to buy immense quantities of goods in bulk which means they can often keep their prices lower than the competition. 

Club Stores

When shopping at wholesale clubs, it may seem like you’re getting a better price than buying smaller quantities, but it’s important to check the unit price to see if that’s true. You should also be sure you’re not buying more than you can comfortably consume before it expires, so you’re not accidentally wasting money.

Costco

While Costco has an annual membership fee, you might find it worth it when you see how much you could save on your groceries and even other household items. The Kirkland brand at Costco is known for releasing eerily similar items to major brands like Grey Goose vodka, Kerrygold Irish butter and Lululemon leggings at a fraction of the cost.

Sam’s Club

Much like Costco’s Kirkland brand — Sam’s Club’s in-house Member’s Mark brand carries some impressive dupes of popular products. Depending on your Sam’s Club location, you may also find better quality produce and meats at the same low prices. 

BJ’s Wholesale

BJ’s is often able to offer low prices through its generic brands Wellsley Farms and Berkely Jensen. BJ’s performed a comparison of unit prices, and found that they were consistently 25% cheaper on average. 

Save With These Brands

Buying store brands as opposed to name brands could save you some serious money on groceries each month. GoBankingRates found that these generic brands could save you the most money: 

1. Aldi’s Simply Nature
2. Aldi’s Never Any!
3. Costco’s Kirkland
4. Kroger’s Simple Truth
5. Safeway Select
6. Target’s Up&Up
7. Walmart’s Equate
8. Trader Joes
9. Sam’s Club Member’s Mark
10. BJ’s Wellsley Farms
11. BJ’s Berkely Jensen
12. Walmart’s Great Value

Even without the brand name you’re used to, you might still be getting the same quality product. In many cases, stores like Walmart, Sam’s Club and Kirkland often source their generic products from names you’re already familiar with like Kellogs, Utz, Bird’s Eye and others. So without the fancy label, you’re keeping more hard-earned money in your pocket.

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