To think that most people shop like this?

[MojacaSunset]

I was with my cousin and we were chatting about the cost of living and the price of washing powder, she has always bought the same brand her mother used but is now looking for something cheaper. I usually buy own brand or branded if it works out better, I said that I compare brands and decide what to buy by working out the cost per wash and she asked me how? I had to explain that I divide the total cost of the product by the number of washes (usually on the packageing) to see which worked out cheapest.
She was really surprised and said she never bothers to do that. I asked her if she looked at the price per kilo / 100g when comparing food and she doesn't do that either.

YANBU I always compare prices by looking at price per kilo / number of uses

YABU I don't compare prices per kilo / number of uses.

Yes, I do.
At least I know I like a particular kind of brand because it lasts longer or is better. But I will try brands from lower price to higher.

Yes, I always check the labels on the shelf but I won't necessarily buy the best value for money if it's not a brand I like.

Yes I do this too as a data point in the selection process but not the only consideration. Eg I only buy a certain washing powder as need it to be for sensitive skin. But for something like cheddar cheese I would go for lowest price per kg.

I nearly always do - time permitting. Otherwise you’d be constantly ripped off by the supermarkets. For instance, things like weetabix, laundry pods etc, are sold in variously sized packs. We’ve been conditioned to think the big or “economy size” pack is the cheapest way to buy but it frequently isn’t. Very often it’s considerably cheaper to buy a couple of the small boxes rather than one of the big ones. I used to do all the maths in my head and it’s not particularly hard but most supermarkets now list individual unit prices under the leader price so you don’t even need to do that! But with bogofs etc, some simple maths will work wonders in getting the best value. I’m fortunate and don’t struggle for money but I still like value for the money I’m spending!

I do this with some things.

So with washing powder, I know what doesn't irritate my skin, so I stick with that, even if it's pricier than other options. Same with pet food - I know what my animals will eat and stick with it, rather than risk wasting money on something that will just get binned.

I also know I don't like certain brands of things, so even if they're half the price, I won't buy them - equally I think other brands are always worth spending more money on.

But for generic stuff like milk, pasta, tinned tomatoes etc. I'll buy whatever is cheapest and it's never been an issue.

Some people don't know how much interest they are paying on their mortgage so I doubt they would have the attention to detail to check this.

I've always watched the pennies having been a single mum when the dc were young. Now they've gone up and left home I still do the same and am able to save into an account each month. It might not be much but adds up.
Since the buses have been charging £2 for most routes I've being putting the £2.50 I've saved each time into a tin [our fares are expensive here]. but it will finance our holiday spending in september [U.K]

I do but some don't have the maths skills. Sometimes I am standing there for ages when there is different deals on different packs (once actually had to get my calculator out)

I stick with the same brands, but look at the cost per gram/use and get the size with the lowest.

I always do this, so does DP, yesterday, for example I was stunned at the price of a box of 160 tea bags, when I looked at the price per bag, it was cheaper to buy two boxes of 80 tea bags (same brand) than the box of 160 I'd usually get.

Usually a larger pack of anything is better value but not always.

I do, it normally gives the price per 100g/100ml for easy comparison on the shelf. Even if they don’t as it’s a special offer etc I will do the math. Lots of people genuinely can’t do maths which is utterly depressing or aren’t willing to consider other options like switching brands or own brand.

I’ve honestly never thought about buying any other brand than my usual & calculating the cost of each wash is not something that would ever cross my mind but if that’s how you shop then it’s hardly unreasonable but for purpose of this thread yabu

I don't always buy the cheapest but I like to know what the cheapest is.
I'm glad I'm not alone in watching the pennies.

I never look at the brand, do people who do find one brand of washing powder causes fewer allergies or feel it washes or smells better?

I do. We meal plan and I have a budget I try to stay within so I will always buy the best value.
I have a friend who doesn't even bother to weigh out pasta when cooking, just cooks the whole 500g pack and wastes whatever isn't eaten by the 3 of them. To me, that's crazy.

I mean obviously you compare roughly , but it’s a simple choice for me as I’m allergic to perfume and there is no selection at all to choose from, lol so it’s ecover zero or pure soap unless I venture to specialist places

I’ve always done this and assumed that everybody took it into consideration and that’s why it’s on the labels, but apparently not. I assumed that people who decided not to take it into consideration were the people who had loads of money and didn’t need to consider it but it’s sounding like that’s not necessarily the case. I don’t always choose the cheapest option if there are other factors I need to consider (e.g. allergies or for toilet paper you have to look at how many sheets per roll you get etc too) but I often do.

It's not all about price. I buy environmentally friendly soap powder. I couldn't tell you if it's cheaper or more expensive than others. I buy it because it's less harmful for the planet.

I compare everything and make a decision based on the cost per use/kilo/whatever. For washing powder or similar I also use less than recommended as I find it builds up on the fabrics. If you put a load on with no detergent you still get soap.

Food, cat litter etc. I decide which one I want and then look for the best price per litre or kilo or whatever.

I definitely do. I struggled for a few years, and the habit just stuck! I dont necessarily buy the cheapest, unless Im really strapped.
But I always compare the price per Kg, litre, whatever!

I usually still choose my favourite brand for most things, like tea bags and washing powder, we're not particularly struggling financially, however I still want good value.

I'll buy a larger pack of something non perishable or something I know we'll use within its date if a larger pack is better value.

Alternatively I might decide to buy several of something if it's a particularly good price, for example I'm fussy about jam, my preferred brand is relatively expensive so if I see it on offer I might buy three.

There have been times I've been on a very limited budget so it's probably a habit formed then, I doubt my mother does it.

I do sometimes but I don't always go for the cheapest option... I won't buy own brand washing powder or washing up liquid because they tend to be crap.

I wouldn't dream of doing that. But I have very sensitive skin & so I can't swap on a whim.

I use the same brand of washing powder I've always used but switched a few years ago to powder instead of pods, I find it more cost effective and it's better environmentally.

I do that with most products I buy and especially with washing tablets as they come in all different sized boxes.