How to Calculate Unit Pricing for Groceries
Unit pricing is the cost of an item per unit of measure. For example, foods are sold in units such as pounds, ounces or pieces. By calculating unit pricing, you can be sure you're getting the best deal at the local grocery store. This calculation comes in handy when you're comparing two different sizes of the same item: The larger box of cereal costs more, but it may be a better value per ounce.
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Instructions
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Check the packaging to determine its size. Bags of sugar are sold by the pound, for example. If a 4 lb. bag of sugar costs $3.20, you can easily calculate its unit pricing.
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Divide $3.20 (the price of the sugar) by 4 (the unit, in pounds). The unit pricing is 80 cents per pound.
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Compare products by calculating the unit pricing of each so you can determine which would be a better buy. For example, you could buy an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter for $3.49 or a 12 oz. jar for $2.59.
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Divide $3.49 by 18 to determine that the 18 oz. jar costs about 19 cents per ounce of peanut butter. Divide $2.59 by 12 to determine that the 12 oz. jar costs about 22 cents per ounce of peanut butter. The 18 oz. jar is the better buy.
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Tips & Warnings
Even if a more expensive or larger item is a better buy per unit price, never spend more money than you have or buy more than you need if you will end up throwing extra food away.
If it IS a better buy and purchasing it will cause you financial hardship...DO NOT BUY IT!! Buy the least expensive one. Just because it is a better buy never spend more money than you have to if it will cause you to suffer.
References
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