Monday is time to Motivate!April 20, 2020
Shopping Smart During the Coronavirus and Beyond
As we continue to adjust to life during the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s never been more important to stretch our dollars. And this week we’re sharing some tips to help you shop smarter.
Many of you are probably already familiar with BOGO (buy one-get one) deals and “family” or “value” pack offers where you purchase food or other household goods for what seem like a legitimate discount. And while buying in bulk might feel like a no-brainer, some bulk purchases are far better than others.
This is where understanding the unit price of what you’re buying really saves the day. When shopping for groceries and other household essentials, keeping a keen eye on the unit price of an item will help ensure you’re getting the best deal. So what is a unit price, and where do you find it? A unit price is simply a cost per unit, which can really be a unit of anything. Often these units are broken into cost per pound, per kilogram, per dozen, per pint, and so on. Thankfully, the majority of grocery stores around the United States will list the unit price on the shelf label right in front of the item. Let’s say you’re looking to buy ginger beer for some delicious (and much needed right now) Moscow Mules. Often you can buy a large bottle or a four-pack of smaller bottles. At first glance you might think the larger bottle is a better deal, but when you compare the unit price (in this case, cost per ounce) you might discover you’re actually better off buying the four-pack of smaller bottles. Retailers like COSTCO and Sam’s Club have long been popular with consumers, and now Amazon has stepped into the market with their Amazon Pantry service allowing people to order pretty much everything they need straight from the comfort of their own couch. You can save big on items like paper towels, toilet paper (everyone seems to want more these days), trash bags and other personal hygiene products. But it’s still critical to pay the most attention to the unit price. We know how you feel. Who wants to do math in their head or break out a calculator in the middle of a grocery store? Not necessary. That’s the beauty of the unit price. It’s featured right on the shelf label. They do the work for you, and you can simply compare whether it’s cheaper to buy the one bottle of ginger bear or the four-pack. And we recommend only buying items you are 100% certain will get used before any expiration dates. Also, be careful not to overbuy which can be easy to do at some of these bulk grocers. Remember these basics:
Buy only what you need, not what you want. Don’t go to the grocery store hungry. Always have a list and stick to your budget. And pay attention to those unit prices.
Try following this advice and you’ll be shopping smarter and saving for your next adventure in no time! …Once the stay at home orders are lifted, of course. Happy exploring, Vincent and Elaine Founders, Travels and Curiosities
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