The Ultimate Guide to Affordable Household Essentials

Inflation is taking its toll on consumers. Tightening budgets and cutting costs are becoming our new way of life. Switching from name brand to generic is an easy and effective way to cut costs just a little bit more.

We all feel it. The impact inflation has on our monthly budgets is noticeable. Even when we stick to buying necessities, the bills just keep growing. Many consumers are looking for ways to save on basic household expenses. One of the easiest ways to cut back on spending is to swap to generic brands wherever possible.

Making the swap is easy if you know which products to buy to get the same quality for a lower cost. We’re here to help. Here are our picks for the generic household essentials that can save you the most money. We’ll also share the best generic grocery items and paper products in this money-saving series.

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A Christmas tree adorned with warm white LED lights is set up in a cozy living room, surrounded by wrapped gifts. Part of the room's festive decor includes stockings and decorative elements by the fireplace.

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Wayfair: Up to 80% Off Black Friday Sale

A gift pack with four stacked boxes of brownies, labeled \“The Brownie\“ and \“The Kona,\“ tied with red and green ribbons. Each box contains two brownies, branded with \“salt earth.\“

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Gifts under $15 at Macy's

The 12-piece Godiva Holiday Truffle Gift Box features assorted chocolate truffles in vibrant red, gold, and green foil wrapping in a festive green box with a red ribbon. It is labeled as limited edition holiday truffles.

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30% Off Godiva Chocolates Holiday Gifts

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11\“x14\“ custom canvas print featuring a couple embracing outdoors, with a blurred background of trees. The canvas has a wooden backing and is wrapped around the edges for a seamless look.

$16

$112

Save 85%

11" x 14" Custom Canvas $16

A decorated artificial Christmas tree with lights stands by a fireplace, surrounded by wrapped gifts and stocking decorations.

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Up to 75% Off Christmas Trees

A compact gray countertop ice maker with a transparent lid and an LED control panel is displayed next to a floral arrangement and a cold drink garnished with lemon and mint.

$60

$150

Save 59%

26lb Portable Ice Maker $60

A snowy Christmas wreath with pinecones, red berries, and frosted evergreen branches, designed by North Pole Trading Co and pre-lit for festive decoration.

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Up to 75% Off Christmas Decor

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A canvas print measuring 18\“ x 24\“ displays a cheerful outdoor scene featuring two smiling children holding hands on a path with parents in the background, showcasing a family moment with vibrant autumn colors.

$23

$186

Save 87%

18" x 24" Custom Canvas $23

Scott ComfortPlus Toilet Paper, 12 Double Rolls packaging, stating the rolls equal 24 regular rolls and highlighting strength and comfort.

$12

Save 50%

12pk Scott ComfortPlus Toilet Paper $6

A festive light-up decoration features an elf in a green and red costume pulling a red wagon with two wrapped gifts, set against a snowy backdrop with trees and a lit house window.

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Up to 60% Off Outdoor Christmas Decor

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The 4pk Bonsai Tree Kit includes four mini bonsai trees in white pots, with varieties featuring red, green, and textured foliage. The packaging is turquoise with \“Bonsai Tree Kit\“ text.

$10

$30

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4pk Bonsai Tree Growing Kit $10

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A label for Intelligent Blends dark roast coffee pod, compatible with 2.0 brewing systems, with instructions to cool, peel, and recycle.

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100ct Coffee Pods $29 + Free Shipping

A nutcracker figurine is dressed in a woodland theme, featuring a gray herringbone coat, fur-lined hat, beard, and holding a tiny wrapped gift and tree.

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Up to 70% Off Nutcrackers at JCPenney

A 120-pack of Bestpresso coffee pods including six varieties: Espresso, Lungo, Verona, Ristretto, Intenso, and Arabica. Each variety features 20 capsules with intensities ranging from 6 to 12 and is labeled as an Italian espresso product.

$28

$40

Save 29%

120pk Coffee Pods $28

A festive lighted reindeer decoration is positioned between two snow-dusted, lantern-flanked columns adorned with garlands and a wreath on the door.

$40

$159

Save 74%

Outdoor LED Reindeer Decoration $40

Lighted birch tree decorations with warm white lights are placed on a mantel alongside green pine garland and pine cones.

$19

$29

Save 32%

Set of 2' LED Birch Trees $19

A blonde angel tree topper with curly hair, wearing a red and green plaid robe trimmed with gold thread and faux fur. It features white feathered wings and holds a herringbone sash.

Sale

Christmas Tree Toppers under $27

6' Pre-Lit Holiday Garland is a festive green decoration with pinecones, red berries, and warm white lights. It drapes elegantly on a white fireplace mantel, complementing wrapped gifts and candles.

$20

$60

Save 66%

6' Pre-Lit Holiday Garland $20

Green Mountain Nantucket Blend K-Cup (24ct) features a medium roast coffee, suitable for use with Keurig machines, labeled with a green and brown design.

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22-24ct Top-Brand K-Cup Packs from $11

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White Elephant Gifts under $25

A decorated Christmas tree with warm lights surrounded by colorful wrapped gifts.

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7.5' Pre-Lit Christmas Tree $129

A mint green Nostalgia electric lunchbox with a handle and latch.

Sale

Nostalgia 20oz Lunchbox Slow Cookers $15

Blue tin of Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies, featuring an assortment of cookies in white paper cups with a variety of shapes like pretzels and swirls. The lid shows an image of a house and emphasizes no preservatives or colors are added.

Save 15%

Royal Dansk Cookie Tin $4

A stainless steel slow cooker with a black top and side handles, featuring a dial to adjust settings.

Sale

Small Kitchen Electrics $15

Cleaning Products

Generic cleaning products kill germs as effectively as name brands. You'll want to confirm that the product has a registration number from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the label.

The EPA reviews and registers household cleaning essentials that are effective against common pathogens. A product that has an EPA registration number has gone through testing to prove that the product protects against the germs it claims. Use the EPA’s search tool to review a product’s registration. This will confirm that the EPA has approved the product’s claims for disinfecting.

Sunscreen

The most important things on a sunscreen label are SPF and broad-spectrum protection. The SPF should be at least 30. And you never want to choose sunscreen without broad-spectrum protection. Notice that the brand name is not included in either of these important factors. The FDA regulates both name-brand and generic sunscreen for safety and effectiveness. These regulations are also true for moisturizers and cosmetics that contain SPF.

CVS-brand sunscreens have gotten rave reviews when compared to their name-brand counterparts. Another favorite is Walmart’s Equate Sport Lotion SPF 50.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Big brands rely on our fear that generic will be somehow less effective than the name brand. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all medications for safety and effectiveness, regardless of the brand.

Walmart offers a 100-count package of Tylenol Extra Strength 500mg gel caps for $11.47. Walmart’s own Equate brand has a 100-count extra strength 500mg pain reliever for $4.97. The active ingredient in both medications is 500 mg acetaminophen. The inactive ingredients do differ, but you’re paying for the active ingredient. You’re paying over 56% more for the name on the box, and you save over $7 by buying generic!

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Batteries

Generic brand batteries will save you money. Whether they’re as powerful as their name-brand counterparts depends on the battery type and its use. Our tech experts, Mike Ahene and David Dritsas agree that generic batteries are a great budget buy. But this is only true when they’re used in low-powered items like toys, clocks, and TV remotes. For these items, you’ll always want to buy generic. When it comes to high-powered tech or items you use often, tests show that name-brand batteries do outperform generic brands.

Mike also suggests going with rechargeable batteries to save money in the long run. It’s a bigger investment, but you’ll spend less on batteries throughout the device’s lifetime. David advises that name brands like Energizer and Panasonic will outperform generic-brand rechargeable batteries in the long term.

Buying Generic Household Essentials

Buying generic brands will save you money. Read labels and confirm that the generic brand is comparable to the name brand you love. Work to change the mindset that brand names are better. This will help you start saving money on household essentials. If you do love snagging deals on brands you love, we can still help! Download our free app or set up deal alerts for your favorite brands to stay in the know about the best deals online.