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From milk to frozen foods, generic swaps may deliver major savings

• A new NetCredit study compared 171 grocery products at Walmart, Target, and Kroger.

• Some store-brand items were priced more than 70% lower than national brands.

• The biggest savings appeared in frozen foods, beverages, dairy products, and pantry staples.

As grocery prices continue to climb, many shoppers are looking for practical ways to cut costs without completely changing how they eat.

With household budgets feeling the pressure, one increasingly popular strategy is swapping national brands for store-brand alternatives.

That idea became the focus of a new study from NetCredit, which examined how much consumers could save by choosing generic grocery brands instead of recognizable name brands. The results suggest that shoppers may be paying significantly more for branding in several common grocery categories especially in the freezer aisle, beverage section, and dairy department.

Putting store brands to the test

To conduct the study, researchers manually analyzed 171 grocery products sold at three major U.S. retailers: Walmart, Kroger, and Target. The products were divided into categories including frozen foods, beverages, breakfast items, pantry staples, bakery products, snacks, and dairy.

For each product, researchers compared the prices and package sizes of nationally recognized brands with their equivalent store-brand versions. They then calculated the percentage difference between the two and averaged the savings across the retailers.

To help keep pricing conditions consistent throughout the dataset, all prices were collected using the same ZIP code in Texas. The data reflects pricing available as of January 2026.

The study focused specifically on products consumers buy regularly, including milk, pasta, cereal, ketchup, frozen treats, chips, and sports drinks. Researchers also highlighted categories where shoppers may be less likely to notice differences in taste or quality between branded and generic versions.

Where are the savings?

Heres a look at where the biggest savings can be:

• Beverages: Store-brand sports hydration drinks offered some of the highest savings in the study, reaching more than 74% cheaper than national brands at certain retailers. Store-brand powdered drink mixes also ranked among the most budget-friendly substitutions.

• Breakfast foods: Generic fruity cereal loops delivered savings of nearly 70% at Walmart, while store-brand cornflakes and shredded wheat cereals were also substantially cheaper than name-brand versions.

• Coffee: Another every day favorite, store brand coffee was on average 33% lower in price.

• Dairy: Store-brand whole milk averaged about 61% cheaper than national brands across the three retailers studied. Store-brand sliced cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese also delivered notable savings.

• Frozen foods: Store-brand ice cream sandwiches topped the list with average savings of 57%, while frozen fries, burritos, popsicles, and vanilla ice cream also showed meaningful price differences.

• Pantry staples: The study found shoppers could save roughly 67% on ketchup by choosing a generic version, while pasta and boxed mac and cheese each averaged around 49% savings.

The researchers noted that consumers do not necessarily need to abandon all of their favorite brands to benefit. Instead, selectively switching frequently purchased staples to store brands may help reduce grocery costs while still allowing shoppers to keep certain name-brand products they prefer.

Safety experts say a little preparation can go a long way during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

• Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous travel weekends of the year, with increased traffic, distracted driving, and impaired motorists contributing to more crashes.

• Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda USA, says planning ahead and driving defensively can significantly reduce your risk on the road.

• Experts recommend checking your vehicle before traveling, eliminating distractions, and avoiding impaired or fatigued driving to help keep holiday road trips safe.

Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial kickoff to summer, with millions of Americans packing up their cars and heading out for beach trips, barbecues, and long-awaited vacations.

But while the holiday is meant for relaxing, its also one of the busiest and most dangerous travel weekends of the year. Increased traffic, distracted driving, and impaired motorists all contribute to a spike in crashes on U.S. roads.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda USA, and she explained that a few simple precautions can make a major difference when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel. From planning your route ahead of time to checking your vehicle before leaving home, experts say preparation and awareness are key to avoiding unnecessary risks during the holiday rush.

The biggest risks on the road

With more drivers on the road for Memorial Day, the long weekend can also come with an increased accident risk.

The biggest factors we see are congestion leading to stop-and-go driving, distracted driving, and impaired or fatigued drivers sharing the road, Morrison said. Long trips can also mean people are driving in unfamiliar areas or pushing themselves to stay on the road longer than they should.

What makes this weekend particularly risky is the combination of all those factors happening at once: more cars, more distractions, and more variables in driver behavior. Even small lapses in attention can have bigger consequences in those conditions.

Preparation is key

If youre planning a road trip for Memorial Day weekend, Morrison says that preparation is your best friend.

Before leaving, map out your route and check for construction, closures, or high-traffic windows so you can avoid the most congested times if possible, she said. Build in extra time so youre not feeling rushed. Thats when risky decisions tend to happen.

Its also helpful to set up everything in advance: navigation, playlists, even snacks or stops if youre traveling with kids. The goal is to reduce the number of decisions you have to make while driving so you can stay focused on the road.

Vehicle checks can help too

While preparation for yourself is key before a long trip, its also important to prepare your car. Heres what Morrison recommends before a road trip:

• Start with the basics: Check tire pressure and tread, ensure your brakes are functioning properly, and top off essential fluids like oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid.

• Lights and signals: Another quick but critical check. Visibility and communication with other drivers are key, especially in heavy traffic.

• Sensors and cameras: Make sure theyre clean and unobstructed so they can function as intended. Forward sensing cameras are often located at the top center of the windshield and need a clear view to be able to support systems like lane-keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition, adding an extra layer of awareness when conditions are busy.

Reduce risk on the road

On a holiday weekend, the road trip should be the least exciting part of your trip. To ensure all you do is listen to music or play car games, Morrison shared her top five tips to reduce risk on the road:

1. Plan ahead, not on the road: Map your route, check the weather, and avoid peak congestion times to minimize stress and last-minute decisions.

2. Drive defensively: Stay alert to other drivers mistakes, keep a safe following distance, and anticipate sudden stops in heavy traffic.

3. Eliminate distractions: Put your phone out of reach and keep your focus fully on the road, especially in stop-and-go conditions.

4. Never drive impaired: Alcohol, drugs, and even some medications can slow reaction time. Designate a sober driver or plan alternative transportation.

5. Check your vehicle before you go: Ensure tires, brakes, and fluids are road-ready to prevent breakdowns in high-traffic conditions.

Many Americans with disabilities dont realize this free park pass exists

• Free lifetime park access: Eligible travelers with permanent disabilities can get free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

• You may still qualify: The biggest takeaway is you do not need to be 100% disabled to get the pass.

• Big summer savings: National Park entrance fees can run $30$35 per vehicle, making the pass especially valuable for summer road trips.

For many Americans living with a disability, visiting a national park already comes with extra planning, accessibility concerns, and travel costs.

What many people do not realize is that theres actually a free lifetime pass available that can remove one major expense entirely.

Its called the America the Beautiful Access Pass, and it gives eligible travelers with permanent disabilities free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country, including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands managed by federal agencies.

And unlike some government programs, qualifying is much broader than many people think.

At many locations, the pass covers:

• Entrance fees
• Day-use fees
• Standard amenity fees

Depending on the park or recreation site, the savings can add up quickly, especially for families who travel frequently.For example, entrance fees at some major national parks can easily run $30 to $35 per vehicle per visit. For travelers who enjoy multiple road trips each year, the pass could easily save hundreds of dollars over time.

The disability requirement is broader than many people realize

One of the biggest misconceptions is that someone must be considered 100% disabled to qualify.

Thats absolutely not the case.

According to the National Park Service, the pass is available to individuals with a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.

That can include:

• Mobility limitations
• Visual impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Cognitive disabilities
• Chronic medical conditions
• Other permanent disabilities

The government specifically notes that applicants do not need to be fully disabled to qualify. Thats important because many Americans incorrectly assume they would not qualify and never even apply.

What documentation you need

To get the Access Pass, applicants need:

• A valid photo ID
• Documentation of permanent disability

That documentation can come from one of the following:

• A physician
• The Veterans Administration
• Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Certain state agencies

One of the easiest routes for many people is using existing federal disability paperwork they already have.

The easiest way to get the pass

The National Park Service actually recommends getting the pass in-person when possible, and passes are now available at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites nationwide.

They cite potential mailing delays and processing fees as the reason.

But in-person pickup is probably not possible for most, so you have two other options:

• Order a physical pass online
• Download a digital pass through Recreation.gov

If you prefer the idea of storing your pass directly on your phone, the digital option is the best way to go.

Parks are more accommodating than ever

National parks have expanded accessibility features significantly over the years, making the Access Pass something that people with a disability can actually use.

Park upgrades include:

• Accessible trails
• Shuttle accommodations
• Audio guides
• Accessible campsites
• Beach wheelchairs at select locations
• ADA-compliant visitor centers

Of course, accessibility still varies widely by park, terrain, and season, which is why planning ahead remains important.

Smart tips before visiting

Before traveling, experts recommend:

• Checking the parks accessibility page online
• Calling visitor centers directly with specific mobility questions
• Verifying shuttle accessibility
• Looking up trail difficulty ratings
• Asking about seasonal closures

Many parks now provide detailed accessibility guides online that go far beyond basic ADA information.

Pro tip: Summer is peak season at many national parks, which means accessible parking and lodging can fill up quickly. Booking earlier than you think you need to is often the smartest move.