UACES Facebook How to Use Unit Pricing
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Unit pricing is a great way to see if you're really getting the best buy - you can compare different sizes and make the best decision for YOU.

How to Use Unit Pricing


by Katie Cullum

Do you use unit pricing?  You may have noticed the tag on the grocery store shelf that looks like this:

price tag on grocery store shelf for chicken leg quarters $7.14
This price tag is for chicken leg quarters - 10 pounds for $7.14 (in yellow).  The unit price is shown in orange - 71.4 cents/per pound.

Some stores do not put the unit price on the tag, so how do you know what it is?  It's not hard!  You can even find apps that will figure the unit price and compare.  But you probably have a calculator on your phone, so you can figure it out pretty well yourself. 

  
price divided by size = unit price
Price divided by size (ounces, pounds, etc.) = unit price
 
 Now that you know how to calculate unit price, you can compare different prices, sizes, and stores.  Recently, Nancy, Amy, and I (your White County 4-H/FCS team) have gone to a few stores (Sam's, Wal-Mart, and Cash Saver) to check prices.  One item that we compared was long grain white rice.  Here's a quick video (just 1 minute) about what we found out on rice.


SO, which rice should YOU buy?  Do you want a 50-pound bag because it's the best price per pound (34 cents/pound)?  Would you eat all of it?!  What about storage for it?  
 
It could be that you don't eat much rice, so paying 72 cents/pound for just 1 pound would be best for you.  If you do eat rice frequently, you may find that paying 51 cents/pound for 4-5 pounds may work out for you.  
 
The unit price can give you a quick comparison on price, but it can't tell you which one is best for your family.  You get to decide that.  Most of the time, the larger the package - the cheaper it is by unit (pound or ounces, etc.).  But that's not always the case.  You'd be surprised at what things actually aren't cheaper! If you want to practice figuring unit prices, and learn a little more, check out this Eating Right When Money's Tight newsletter.
 
Next time you go grocery shopping, check the unit prices of a few things to compare!  Let me know what you found on my Facebook page!
  
 
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