A lot of us consider ourselves to be pretty savvy shoppers. We look for ways to snag this bargain or that deal to get the best value for our money. But when you’re buying groceries, you may be overlooking a simple tool to help you save even more.
Whether shopping for groceries online or in a store, the trick is “unit pricing.” If you’ve ever found yourself in a grocery store aisle pondering whether that giant container of what you need is a better deal than the smaller one -- unit pricing will answer that question.
“Unit pricing isn’t a new concept, but you’d be surprised how many consumers overlook this basic money-saving tool,” said Margot Gilman with Consumer Reports.
Here’s how it works: The unit price is essentially just what it sounds like, the price per unit of an item -- whether in ounces, pounds, or any other measurement -- rather than the total cost. Just be sure you’re comparing, say, ounces to ounces. If you need help converting items to the same unit, you can search online for a unit pricing calculator to make it easier.
“If a unit price isn’t listed, simply divide the cost of the item by the number of units,” Gilman explained.
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Keep in mind that paying a slightly higher unit price for a smaller size might sometimes be more economical -- if it’s an item you don’t use often and will end up throwing away.
“Unit pricing helps you see beyond the price on the tag to know the actual cost of your purchases,” Gilman added.
Most stores provide unit prices for much more than just groceries including personal care items and household products.
Bottom line: A little label and price tag sleuthing, along with some simple math, can add up and give your household budget some much-needed relief.