How to Decode Prices and Packages Like a Pro
Our taste test shows that savings are out there, but you need to know how to spot them. The first step is to ignore the big, bold price on the shelf and look for the secret weapon of the frugal shopper: the unit price. This is the cost per ounce, per pound, or per 100-count. It’s usually printed in smaller type on the shelf tag. This metric allows you to compare a 12.5-ounce “family size” box with a 10-ounce standard box and know instantly which is the better value.
Unit pricing is your best defense against “shrinkflation,” the sneaky practice of keeping the price the same while reducing the amount of product in the package. For example, a box of your favorite crackers might have always been $3.99 for 12 ounces ($0.33 per ounce). One day, the box looks a little smaller. The price is still $3.99, but if you check the net weight, it’s now only 10.5 ounces. Your new unit price is $0.38 per ounce—a hidden price increase of 15%. Without checking the unit price, you’d never notice.
It’s also helpful to understand the terminology. “Name brands” or “national brands” are products sold by large manufacturers across the country, like Kraft or General Mills. “Store brands,” also known as “private label” or “generic brands,” are owned by the retailer itself, like Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Walmart’s Great Value. Often, these products are made in the very same factories as the name brands, just packaged differently. This is one of the big reasons why the quality can be so similar.
