What is a unit price? Unit prices tell you the cost of one unit, such as an ounce. Some grocery stores have the unit price on a label on the shelf edge right under the package. Some stores do not do this. To figure the unit price yourself, divide the price of the product by the number of ounces, pounds, etc. For example cereal at $3.55 is divided by 24 oz. which is equal to 15 cents per oz. Do the same thing for the other box of cereal and then you can compare the two numbers. Unit pricing makes it easy to compare the prices of different sizes of the same brand. Choose the food that has the lowest price per unit to save money if you can eat it up while it is still at top quality. Check the unit price labels often because prices change.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of convenience foods? Some convenience foods save work and time and are low cost. Other convenience foods do not save much time in the kitchen and cost more than making the food yourself. Some examples of higher-cost convenience foods are canned frosting, frozen dinners, instant hot cereal, and single-serving foods. Compare the cost of buying a convenience food with making it yourself to find which is the better buy. Some low-cost convenience foods are cake and pancake mixes, dry macaroni and cheese, taco seasoning mixes, and spaghetti sauce. You can make coating mixes and meat "helpers" at home for less money than buying packaged mixes.