Walmart remains a popular destination for savvy shoppers who are looking to save money and keep their budgets in order. Many of those consumers rely on Walmart’s Great Value brand to find affordable alternatives to more expensive groceries and other household essentials.<\/p>\n
Several finance experts who talked to MoneyLion noted they’ve seen an increase in quality in recent years from Great Value items. Here’s a look at some budget items those experts said are worth buying this year, and the days of the week you may want to plan your shopping trips.<\/p>\n
Check Out: No Brand, No Problem: 7 Walmart House Labels That Are Just as Good as Name Brands<\/a><\/p>\n Read More: 5 Signs You\u2019re Losing Money Every Month \u2014 and How To Find the Leaks<\/a><\/p>\n Great Value Basics<\/p>\n “Store brands have improved over time, and for everyday staples, most people I work with don’t feel a meaningful drop in quality,” said Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner (CFP) and CEO of 11 Financial<\/a>. “When prices stay fairly consistent week to week, it becomes easier for households to plan instead of constantly adjusting their budget<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Andrew Lokenauth, founder of the blog Fluent in Finance<\/a>, added, “The items worth buying now include Great Value basics like milk, eggs, bread, butter, canned tomatoes, pasta, rice, frozen vegetables and cleaning supplies. Most people think cheap means lower quality, but actually these products often come from the same manufacturers as premium brands.”<\/p>\n Fresh Produce<\/p>\n It may be time to check out the produce at Walmart again. According to Lokenauth, fresh produce here has improved significantly.<\/p>\n “I’ve noticed Walmart’s produce quality matches what I find at traditional grocery stores, but at 15% to 20% less,” he said. “The key is shopping mid-week, Tuesday through Thursday, when stock is freshest.”<\/p>\n Pharmacy Items<\/p>\n Lokenauth said it plainly: “Walmart’s pharmacy has become another smart buy. Generic prescriptions run about $4 to $10 for a 30-day supply, compared to $25 to $40 at other chains.”<\/p>\n Meats<\/p>\n Lokenauth, who noted he’s selective when it comes to buying meats, said the ones he finds at Walmart offer good quality and great prices.<\/p>\n “Their chicken and ground beef prices beat most competitors by $1 to $2 per pound,” he said. “Over a month of meal planning, that’s $40 to $60 in savings<\/a> for a family of four.”<\/p>\n Clothing<\/p>\n Kovar added that clothing is where some people are surprised at what they find at Walmart.<\/p>\n “Basics like socks, T-shirts, kids’ clothes and seasonal items have gotten better in terms of fit and durability,” he said. “Families often use Walmart for everyday wear and save specialty shopping for fewer, more intentional purchases, which tends to smooth out spending over the year.”<\/p>\n Iron Weights<\/p>\n While this is a much different item from the others on the list, Marcus Sturdivant Sr., managing member of The ABC Squared<\/a>, said Walmart offers great deals here.<\/p>\n “As people moved to home fitness, the prices of their 300-pound iron sets had been much higher amid a shortage of weights and as supply restraints forced a supply-and-demand price increase,” he explained. “You can now get the same set for much less.”<\/p>\n