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Frugal Friday Pt 6

Let me share with you today a few recent purchases.

This bag of Chex Mix, bought at Costco, was $5.89 for a 43oz bag, ($2.19/lb)
chex

This box of Ritz Snack Mix contains 6 packs of .77oz each to get a “100 calorie pack.” The box totals 4.62oz for $3.49, ($12.09 per lb.)

ritz

What’s wrong with this picture? Why am I offering such a ridiculous example of how to save/waste money? Well, both products are in my house, guess which I bought and guess which JaneTaxpayer bought? Now, I admit the little packs are pretty convenient, but the same amount of chips would only cost about 63 cents using the big bag price per pound. Is it really worth paying 50 cents per (little) bag extra to save the few seconds it takes to measure out a portion?

Another example of what you spend by not paying attention to unit cost:

almonds

The bag on the left, $3.69 for 3.75oz ($15.74/lb) vs the bag on right, $2.69 for 8oz ($5.38/lb), nearly 1/3 the price. The difference is that Jane is pretty oblivious to prices despite being married to me, but fortunately for me, she does not read my blog. Whether you keep track in a notebook (recommended) or just pay some attention until you remember what things cost, work on being aware of the normal price, sale price, and rip-off price of the things you buy frequently. This is probably a good lead in to another post, something like, “when your spouse isn’t as frugal as you” or maybe “how to teach your spouse that $12/lb is too much to pay for a baked grain product.” I have to get working on that. But today I’ll leave you with a quote from a good friend who been in a wonderful marriage for some time:

“If your wife is happy and you are not happy, you are still far happier than if you are happy but if your wife’s not happy.” It’s with this in mind I took the photos after Jane was asleep.

Joe

{ 3 comments… add one }
  • hindleyite June 26, 2009, 1:02 pm

    Ah, how wonderfully taste-free! Still, at least you got ’em dirt cheap 😛

  • Kate Wideman July 3, 2009, 9:37 am

    My heart goes out to you, I know how you feel! I used to work at a grocery store, & luckily for me I learned the whole unit/price thing. I used to get all of the deals, and lived very cheaply when it came to food back then! I really need to get back to shopping the bargains, afterall, a penny saved is a penny earned!

  • JOE July 3, 2009, 12:10 pm

    In my CVS post 7/3 I rephrase that thought, as a dollar saved would take you as much as $2 to earn! Remember, that’s a tax free penny you just saved. Thanks for visiting.

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