The Price of Convenience

Earlier, I had done a post about taking the time to make things ahead rather than stop at a drive thru or convenience store..and how much can be saved by taking a few steps extra.  I decided to try a little experiment.

I made a list of some basic items…coffee, bread, milk, and a gallon of juice for the kids.  I went to the convenience store on the corner (two blocks away) and checked the prices of the items in their “off” or generic brands.  They were as follows (before the 1% sales tax):

Coffee (11.3 0z can) $3.99
Juice (gallon)       $2.79
Bread (1 loaf)       $2.19
Milk (gallon)        $3.99
______
$12.96

I then went to the supermarket that is 3/4 of a mile away from my home.  I found the coffee in the larger can for only two dollars more ($5.99), the juice concentrate which makes two quarts cost $.89. two of which would add up to a gallon, making the total cost for a gallon of juice $1.78.  The loaf of bread was $.88, and the gallon of milk was $2.19.

By going a few extra blocks and taking just a small bit of time and effort, I was able to save $2.11, and ended up with twice the coffee as going to the convenience store.  I used these items because they are the ones that are most often bought, and they are at the top of many grocery lists.  When one thinks of how often these items are bought…and how much money one shopping trip saved…it gives pause to wonder if “convenience” is worth it.

By Angela Sangster, Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010.

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

468060-Topflow