How to Grocery Shop Using Price Per Ounce

Grocery shop smarter. What is a better deal: a 15 oz can of soup for $1.79, or a 10 oz can of soup for $0.99? By comparing similar products on a per-ounce basis, you can know you're getting a great deal. Shop smarter and save money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good handle of math, or
• a calculator

1. 
    
   An 8 ounce can of Red Bull

   Find similar products that are different sizes to compare. In the energy drink section...which is really cheaper: an 8.3 oz Red Bull for $1.99, or a 16 oz Monster Energy Drink for $3.49?

2. 
    
   Find the price and size

   Look for the shelf tags and figure out the number of ounces and the price for each item. If you can't find the number of ounces on the tag, look closely at the front of the product or in the nutrition facts.

3. 
    
   A 15 ounce can of Monster Energy Drink

   Do the math. Take the price and divide it by the number of ounces.
   Red Bull: 1.99/8.3 = $0.24 per ounce
   Monster: $3.49/16 = $0.22 per ounce
   This means that every gulp of Red Bull will cost you about a quarter.

4. Compare the products on the new per-ounce basis.
   In this example, the Red Bull is a little cheaper. It costs two cents less for each ounce. Often, the larger the size, the cheaper the per-ounce price.

Tips & Warnings

• Most cell phones have a calculator tool.
• This skill is especially helpful when comparing sales prices or grocery coupons. Is a 15 oz Hormel Chili at 3 for $5 cheaper than a 10 oz Wolf Chili at $.99? Use your new skill and figure it out!
• Many stores print the per-ounce price right on the tag.
• Don't make your buying decision only based on price. Also consider the quality and date on the product.
• You can't always trust the price per ounce on the shelf tag because sometimes the grocery store will print the per-ounce price on one product and the per-pound price on another.

[Sounique]

on 12/6/2008 Great tips!