Shopping Tip: Unit Price

Every good grocery shopper knows the importance of paying attention to unit prices. This is the small (sometimes teeny tiny) price listed on a price tag that tells you the price per ounce/pound/can or some other increment. Paying attention to this price is key to making sure you are getting the most for your money.

I went to Albertson's this weekend to pickup some Coffeemate liquid creamer that was on sale (not a great sale, but I was out and consider this to be an absolutely life necessity). The 32oz containers were on sale for $3.99 and the 16oz containers were on sale for $1.99. A quick glance at the unit price on the price tag showed me that the price per ounce was essential the same ($0.12/oz).

I had two $.75/1 coupons that could be used on any container larger than 15oz. If I had bought the bigger container, I would have only been able to use one coupon. But by buying two smaller containers, I was able to use both coupons and save myself an extra $0.75. Not huge, but every little bit helps.

When comparing unit prices, make sure the tags are using the same increment. For example, some soda tags list the unit price per ounce while others list it per can. Also, sometimes a sale price tag won't list the unit price. Take the time to pull out your calculator and do the math to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Shopping Tip

My local Fred Meyer stores offer a simple, but valuable service, The Coupon Exchange. At the front of every store is a basket where you can take the coupons you want and leave ones you don't want. Most of the time, people drop off catalina coupons that they won't use. The Coupon Exchange is always my first stop when I go into Fred Meyer. I never take too many but I've scored some great coupons. And I always make sure to leave a few I know I won't use.

On my most recent trip, I picked up:

$1/2 Glade Jar Candles (holiday scents on clearance at Target)
$1/1 Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent
$1.50/1 Seventh Generation Disinfecting Cleaner
1 Free Code for the free lunch bag promo from Lean Cuisine (my friend, Kelly is collecting these so I'll pass this one along to her)

Do any of your local stores offer this service? Take a look around and you just might find some gems.

Shopping Tip

After Rite-Aid, I went to Safeway to do my weekly grocery shopping. I won't post about the whole trip, but did want to give you a little tip.

Always check out the Clearance meat section. Now I know what you are thinking....clearance MEAT!?! I know it sounds sketchy, but it's not. You will find meat that needs to be eaten or frozen within the next couple days. My Safeway usually has them marked down 30% or 50%.

Yesterday, I found some packages of all-natural, antibotic free chicken breast. Regular price was $4.49 a pound. It was on sale for $3.99 per pound. Then it was marked 50% off because it needed to be frozen by today. I picked up about 3.5 lbs and paid $7.

It wasn't on my shopping list, but we were getting low on chicken and this was a great price on an all-natural product. Sometimes it pays to look around.