Store Brand Savings Calculator
Calculate how much you can save by choosing generic/store brand products instead of name brands
This calculator helps you quantify the savings from choosing generic or store-brand products over name brands—whether at the grocery store, pharmacy, or retail shops.
How It Works
Enter product comparisons (name-brand vs. generic)
Input your purchase frequency
See annual & lifetime savings (with optional investment growth)
Key Inputs
| Field | Example Value |
|---|---|
| Name-brand item price | $5.99 |
| Generic item price | $3.49 |
| Quantity purchased per month | 4 |
| Years to calculate | 5 |
| Investment return (optional) | 5% |
Savings Formula
Monthly Savings:(Name-brand price - Generic price) × Monthly quantity
Annual Savings:Monthly savings × 12
Lifetime Savings (with investment growth):Annual savings × [(1 + r)^t - 1]/r
(Where r = annual return, t = years)
Example Calculation
Scenario:
Tylenol (100ct): $8.99 vs. Store-brand acetaminophen: $4.99
Buy 1 bottle/month
5-year timeframe
Investing savings at 5% return
Results:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly savings | $4.00 |
| Annual savings | $48.00 |
| 5-year savings (invested) | $272.43 |
Common Areas for Savings
Groceries (cereal, spices, canned goods)
Medications (pain relievers, allergy meds)
Household items (cleaning supplies, ziplock bags)
Baby products (diapers, formula)
Pro Tip: The FDA requires generic drugs to have identical active ingredients as name brands.
Advanced Features
Brand premium % (Calculate how much more you're paying for branding)
Price-per-unit comparison (Sometimes generics aren't cheaper per ounce)
Store-specific comparisons (Costco Kirkland vs. Walmart Great Value)
Sample Output:
*"Choosing store-brand ibuprofen saves the average family $86/year - enough to cover a monthly utility bill."*
Why This Matters
A family of 4 can save $1,200-$2,500/year on groceries alone
These savings could grow to $25,000+ if invested over 20 years
Identical quality in 90% of cases (Consumer Reports studies show most consumers can't taste/notice differences in blind tests)