Savvy shoppers carry a calculator

Here is how to figure out the unit price will help you get the best value.

A keen shopper is standing in the snack aisle deliberating over which bag of potatoes chips to buy - the 160 grams or the 100 grams. Flavor doesn´t have anything to do with this decision. Neither does brand, since both options are from the same vendor. So this is a math question.

This savvy shopper takes out her HP calculator. To get the unit price of the potatoes chips she divides $2.49 (the price) by 160 (the weight) = 1.6 cents per unit. She then divides $1.99 (the price of the smaller bag) by 100 (the weight in ounces): 2 cents. As for now, larger bag is less expensive per gram.

For savvy shoppers, a calculator is as necessary your shopping list when shopping for groceries, toiletries and household items. That´s because one of the most effective ways to figure out how to get the most for your money is by examining the unit price and an item´s weight to determine the price difference between different-sized items.

Often, the cost per unit is usually on the label next to the price on the shelf. (If the unit price isn´t made available, consumers can figure it out by dividing the cost into an item´s weight.).  This trick of the trade can go a long way toward saving money at the checkout counter, especially if you´re not brand loyal.