One thing to keep in mind when buying the larger portioned container is that even if it's less expensive per unit, you have to be careful not to consume more just because you have more

You make a good point. The article teaches an important concept. The wording is in need of adjustment. It might be better stated if it said something like, "over a year's time, after several purchases, you'll be dollars and cents ahead of where you would have been by purchasing in small amounts."

I might be overcautious but should it be a good idea to calculate the unit price even if it is listed? I know generally buying in bulk will be cheaper per unit but just in case.

It is never a bad idea to double check if the unit price yourself. When it comes to spending, being overcautious is a good thing.

we need to consider quality too

This is the most important aspect of all. We must be careful not to equate higher price with higher quality. We need to do our research.

"and keep more money in your pocket". How will I keep more money yet I pay for more ounces, feet ect?

You make a good point. The article teaches an important concept. The wording is in need of adjustment. It might be better stated if it said something like, "over a year's time, after several purchases, you'll be dollars and cents ahead of where you would have been by purchasing in small amounts."

As a 13 year old, am I supposed to learn this? Because I love this and would like to learn more of this!

Learn it now. Start to use it soon. Learn, also, the rest of the stuff in the Financial Literacy course.

will the things going to become more expensive in a future?

Yes. This is a natural phenomenon.

Main content

Course: Financial Literacy > Unit 2

Lesson 2: Reducing expenses

Unit pricing: how to spend less by paying more

Google Classroom

Learn how knowing the unit price can help you save money.

If you just read this title, you must be confused - how can you spend less by paying more? The answer is per unit pricing.

Per unit pricing tells you how much you're paying per ounce, per pound, or per item. Paying attention to per unit pricing can help you figure out which product is the best deal.

For example, if you're shopping for toilet paper, you might see two different brands. One costs

$ 5.99

for

12

rolls, while the other costs

$ 7.99

for

18

rolls. At first glance, it appears that the first option is the best deal. But if you compare per unit pricing, you'll see that the second option is actually cheaper: the first option costs

$ 0.50

per roll

The second option costs only

$ 0.44

per roll

In conclusion, even though we paid more for the bigger pack of toilet paper, we actually spent less for each roll.

Per unit pricing

While it may seem that you are going to have to be walking around the store with a calculator in order to get the best deal, you may be surprised that most stores have already done the math for you.

Look at the price label below:

Per unit pricing can be especially helpful when you're trying to compare different sizes of the same product. See if you can spot the best deal between these

2

options:

Per unit pricing isn’t always present on shelf tags, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for. Even if it is not available, you can easily calculate the per unit cost yourself. This is a valuable skill to help you get the best deal at the grocery store, and keep more money in your pocket.

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Kaine
Posted a year ago. Direct link to Kaine's post “One thing to keep in mind...”
One thing to keep in mind when buying the larger portioned container is that even if it's less expensive per unit, you have to be careful not to consume more just because you have more. For example, if I have a gallon of milk, I'm likely to drink more than if I have a quart of milk. So make sure your usage is consistent, otherwise you won't save anything by going for the lower unit price.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Kaine's post “One thing to keep in mind...”
(115 votes)
Answer
bachernak
Posted 10 months ago. Direct link to bachernak's post “I use this strategy a lot...”
I use this strategy a lot, but you also have to make sure that if the better deal is a larger quantity that you will actually use all of the product, have space for it, etc. Doesn't make sense to buy a gallon of milk because it's cheaper per ounce if you don't use it all and it ends up going bad before you've used it all. Everybody has a different situation, so just be aware that there is never 1 correct way to do things when it comes to money.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on bachernak's post “I use this strategy a lot...”
(52 votes)
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wyattn27885
Posted a year ago. Direct link to wyattn27885's post “Should a 13-year-old lear...”
Should a 13-year-old learn this because it sounds good to learn? I kinda want to learn this stuff
Button navigates to signup pageComment on wyattn27885's post “Should a 13-year-old lear...”
(35 votes)
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- David Alexander
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “Yes. Go bravely into it.”
  Yes. Go bravely into it.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (23 votes)
Wolf Cloud
Posted a year ago. Direct link to Wolf Cloud's post “I might be overcautious b...”
I might be overcautious but should it be a good idea to calculate the unit price even if it is listed? I know generally buying in bulk will be cheaper per unit but just in case.
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Wolf Cloud's post “I might be overcautious b...”
(16 votes)
Answer
- The Scarlet Witch
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to The Scarlet Witch's post “It is never a bad idea to...”
  It is never a bad idea to double check if the unit price yourself. When it comes to spending, being overcautious is a good thing.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (21 votes)
saramostajiboy
Posted a year ago. Direct link to saramostajiboy's post “One thing to keep in mind...”
One thing to keep in mind when buying the larger portioned container is that even if it's less expensive per unit, you have to be careful not to consume more just because you have more
Button navigates to signup pageComment on saramostajiboy's post “One thing to keep in mind...”
(19 votes)
Answer
- jameil.warren
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to jameil.warren's post “You make a good point. Th...”
  You make a good point. The article teaches an important concept. The wording is in need of adjustment. It might be better stated if it said something like, "over a year's time, after several purchases, you'll be dollars and cents ahead of where you would have been by purchasing in small amounts."
  Button navigates to signup page
  (2 votes)
Nathanael Adrian
Posted a year ago. Direct link to Nathanael Adrian's post “"and keep more money in y...”
"and keep more money in your pocket".
How will I keep more money yet I pay for more ounces, feet ect?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on Nathanael Adrian's post “"and keep more money in y...”
(6 votes)
Answer
- David Alexander
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “You make a good point. T...”
  You make a good point. The article teaches an important concept. The wording is in need of adjustment. It might be better stated if it said something like, "over a year's time, after several purchases, you'll be dollars and cents ahead of where you would have been by purchasing in small amounts."
  Button navigates to signup page
  (14 votes)
akt2612akt
Posted 9 months ago. Direct link to akt2612akt's post “we need to consider quali...”
we need to consider quality too
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(8 votes)
Answer
- David Alexander
  Posted 9 months ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “This is the most importan...”
  This is the most important aspect of all. We must be careful not to equate higher price with higher quality. We need to do our research.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (7 votes)
PinkFerrari
Posted a year ago. Direct link to PinkFerrari's post “i hope you learn a lot”
i hope you learn a lot
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(10 votes)
Answer
cailynmclaren
Posted a year ago. Direct link to cailynmclaren's post “As a 13 year old, am I su...”
As a 13 year old, am I supposed to learn this? Because I love this and would like to learn more of this!
Button navigates to signup pageButton navigates to signup page
(6 votes)
Answer
- David Alexander
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “Learn it now. Start to us...”
  Learn it now. Start to use it soon. Learn, also, the rest of the stuff in the Financial Literacy course.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (7 votes)
wzapata
Posted 7 months ago. Direct link to wzapata's post “will the things going to ...”
will the things going to become more expensive in a future?
Button navigates to signup pageComment on wzapata's post “will the things going to ...”
(6 votes)
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- David Alexander
  Posted 7 months ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “Yes. This is a natural ph...”
  Yes. This is a natural phenomenon.
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  (5 votes)