Grocery stores use all sorts of clever tactics to make their prices look better than they actually are. The most effective way to see through this is to ignore the total price and focus on the unit price. You can find this small number usually tucked away in the corner of the shelf tag. It breaks down the cost per ounce or per pound for every item in the store. This simple number is your best tool for finding the truly cheapest option every time you shop.
Understanding the Unit Price
The unit price allows you to compare two different products even if they come in different package sizes. It is impossible to calculate this in your head while you are walking through a busy grocery aisle. The store has already done the math for you, so you do not have to guess. Always look for the cost per unit to see which brand or size is actually the better deal. You will often be surprised by how much money you save by choosing the less obvious item.
Why Package Size Lies
Many manufacturers use deceptive packaging to make you think you are getting more product for your money than you really are. A large box might contain mostly space, while a smaller package is packed full of the actual goods. Relying on the size of the container is a guaranteed way to overpay for your groceries. You must train your eyes to skip the marketing and look straight at the unit price. This puts you back in charge of your own budget and your shopping cart.
The Multi Buy Trap
Stores love to advertise deals where you buy three or four items to get a lower price. This is another trap that often leads shoppers to spend more money than they actually intended to spend. When you calculate the unit price of these multi-buy deals, you often find that the savings are very minimal. You should only participate in these sales if you are certain you will use every single item before it goes bad. Often, you are just buying more inventory for the store instead of saving money for yourself.
Mastering the Shelf Label
Take a few extra seconds to read the entire shelf tag before you put an item in your basket. You will start to notice that the unit price is often clearly displayed next to the retail price. If you get into the habit of doing this every week, you will become an expert shopper very quickly. It is a small change that leads to large savings over the course of a full year. Your future self will thank you for being a more informed and careful consumer.
What To Read Next
The Grocery Store Layout Trick That Costs You $20 Every Trip
9 Grocery Store Tricks That Can Save SNAP Recipients Hundreds Per Year
6 Sneaky Grocery Store Layout Tricks Designed to Make You Spend More
The Morning Fill-Up Trick: Why Drivers Are Topping Off Early During the May Heat
How to Spot a Genuine Grocery Sale vs. a Marketing Trick
The post The Unit-Price Trick That Reveals the Real Cheapest Option appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
