Someday A Goat

Price book analysis: bacon

Ideally, we would buy bacon without sodium nitrite, but the budget is tight and we really love bacon. We tend to stick to Hormel or Oscar Mayer. Oscar Mayer had a $0.75 off coupon a single package of bacon in last Sunday's paper. We're nearing the end of our bacon stash, so I'll be buying again soon.

decent sale price

        $3.50 per 16-ounce package

consider stocking up

        $3.00 per 16-ounce package

buy as much as you can use

        anything less than $3.00 per 16-ounce package

--- good rule of thumb - spend somewhere in the $3.25 range on an average basis ---

We spent the better part of 2005 and 2006 attempting to perfect a bacon prep method, but strangely didn't buy much bacon in 2007, it's possible I missed a few receipts. I highly doubt that I only bought 7 packages of bacon in an entire year. It's early December 2009, and we have already surpassed our purchases for 2008. We got a cast iron pan. What else do I need to say? Except -- go get yourself one. Lodge is the brand we love, it's cheap and readily available -- everywhere from the dusty hardware store to fancy cookware stores.

Bacon is typically sold by the pound, although some specialty varieties, like center cut, are 12 ounces. Bacon prices fell in late 2007 and went back up in the summer, fall and early winter of 2009. For most of 2009, prices have been steady and low, and in terms of regular pricing, we're back to 2006 levels.

In a world without coupons and sales (aka regular prices)

Please note that I did not pay these prices, it's just based on the advertised regular price when on sale.

The regular price of bacon varies widely from store to store, so if you consume a lot of bacon, it's worth spending 5 minutes to figure out who has the best price without coupons or sales. I tend to pay the most attention to this metric when the difference between regular price on an item is $0.75 or more. That's how much $600 would earn you monthly in a 12-month CD earning 1.5% interest.

The cheapest regular price that we saw on Oscar Mayer regular-cut bacon was $3.99 at Publix in May 2009, and the most expensive was Kroger in August 2008, at $5.49. For Hormel regular cut, the typical Publix regular price for me was $4.79, although I did see $4.49 in June 2008. The highest price is $5.49 at Kroger in August 2009.

My best deal by per ounce price was $0.109 per ounce, or $1.74 per 16-ounce package.

Oscar Mayer 

I used to prefer center-cut bacon, until I admitted that cheaper regular-cut bacon is where it's at when your husband is a master chef of bacon. We bought 14 packages of Oscar Mayer center-cut bacon, mostly in 2006 and 2007. Our low price of $2.99/$3.00 per 12 ounces was in late 2006/early 2007. The most we paid was $5.49 for 12 ounces in January 2008, and haven't bought it since. The average price per ounce was $0.3658.

In the past 2 years, regular-cut bacon has been the standard; almost all 18 packages were purchased during that time frame. Every single purchase of this type of Oscar Mayer bacon since 2006 was at sale price. My low price was $2.50 per 16-ounce package this past June at Publix, and a high price of $3.99 in August and October of 2008 at Publix. Average price per ounce was $0.1983, with an average total price of $3.17. Despite good intentions, it's only this year that I've managed to align an Oscar Mayer bacon purchase and coupon. A decent sale price is $3.50, with a target price of $3.00.

Hormel

A recent addition to our favorite brands list (via a coupon!), we've bought 16 packages, mostly in 2009. We didn't try the brand until June 2008. I couldn't resist the low regular price and coupon. Despite one iffy batch, we love this bacon, especially considering the price point; it's nice to love the cheaper option. A little more than half of the purchases were made on sale, although the averages below are a little off when compared to Oscar Mayer because if we need bacon and buy full price, it's usually Hormel. We bought a few packages of center cut when on sale, but averages below are based on just the regular-cut black label Hormel bacon.

Average price per ounce is $0.211, typically about $3.37 per package. The lowest final price that we paid was $1.74 per package in August 2008 at Kroger, and we've paid full price at Publix ($4.79) a few times because we needed bacon. A decent target price is $3.00 per package -- Hormel goes on sale often enough that you should be able to find that price on a regular basis.

Coupons

I was only able to use coupons on 5 of 47 transactions, but bacon sales are common so it's easy to stock up at low prices. A Hormel coupon introduced us to the brand, and there's an occasional Oscar Mayer coupon.

Differences between stores

Only one of 47 purchase were at any store besides Publix or Kroger. These days I only buy bacon at Kroger if it's a good advertised deal as Publix is our usual store, and they often run the great 2/$6.00 deal on bacon brands that we buy. 

Looking at the big picture over time*

• average price per package: $3.66 (includes both 16 oz and 12 oz packages)
• average price per ounce: $0.250

2006 (first purchase 8/30/06) 10 purchases, 12 packages, 152 ounces (9.5 lbs) $46.62

2007 6 purchases, 7 packages, 88 ounces (5.5 lbs) $27.34

2008 15 purchases, 15 packages, 232 ounces (14.5 lbs) $49.53

2009 18 purchases, 23 packages, 288 ounces (18 lbs) $77.65

*Two purchases of Smithfield bacon and two packages of thick-cut bacon are included in overall figures, but not accounted for elsewhere as we only have bought a few times.

Random notes

• first purchase was 8/30/06 - we've recorded 47.5 lbs of bacon since.

Introduction to price book analysis series

Fruit Roll-Ups

pickles

toilet paper

Click on the price book category on the right to see all available posts.

Please note that my price book posts are based entirely upon my own opinions and purchases. Product links may be affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post. Since I enter all data by hand, chances are good that I'll occasionally make a mistake. Prices do not include tax as it varies by location, and prices may be specific to my store/city. Copyright 2009 Someday A Goat. Enough with the disclaimers already!

Saving on Sunday

I scored some really great deals on Sunday, and inspired by Money Saving Mom's Super Saving Saturday series, I decided that a post was in order. Also in order? A new camera. Our 2003 model camera is just not taking great pictures anymore, especially since we lost our fantastic tiny tripod somewhere in the last few months. Maybe Santa will surprise me. 

I also used a coupon for a free car wash with an emissions test. My registration renews this month, so the car wash is a nice $13 bonus as an emission test is required.

First stop: Publix

Mainly because I really needed a fountain soda for my big errand run. Plus, double papers go fast at our Publix, so I try to go early to pick one up and check out the penny coupon. 

Spent $17.56
Saved $19.59

sale items

• Muellers Pasta: 2 boxes bowties 12 oz; 2 boxes sea shells 16 oz $1.29 regular price each, paid $0.38 each (BOGO store sale, $0.55/2 manufacturer's coupon)
• 2 Emerald mixed nut 10 oz $5.79 regular price, paid $2.90 each (BOGO)
• Peter Pan whipped 13 oz  $2.47 regular price, paid $0.01 (penny coupon -- we usually use Jif, but for a penny, this is going to my work food stash)
• 2 Dove Ultimate Clear visibly smooth 2.6 oz $4.49 regular price, paid $0.65 each (store sale $1.70 off each, BOGO Publix coupon, $1.50/2 manufacturer's coupon)

needed despite price

• yellow onion 0.66 lb $0.65 -- for the chicken stock I made last night. We had everything else.
• baguette 8.5 oz $1.19 -- for dinner, we already had broccoli and chicken breast at the house.
• Sunbeam Old Fashioned 20 oz $2.69
• double paper $2.36
• fountain soda $1.29

Second stop: CVS

Spent 1.64
Saved 2.90

• Colgate Total Advanced Fresh paste 5.8 oz $4.39 regular price, paid $1.49 ($1.40 off store sale, used $0.50 ECB, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon). I received a $1.00 ECB for this transaction that I'll use on something we need in the next few weeks.

Third stop: Kroger

Spent $10.77
Saved $19.24

sale items

• 3 Kleenex 130-count Aloe & E tissues $2.19 regular price each, paid $0.66 each (store sale $0.70 off each, $0.50 off each from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $0.50/3 manufacturer's doubled
• 2 Zesta Crackers 16 oz $3.19 regular price each, paid $0.99 each ($1.70 store sale off each, $0.50 off each from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion)
• YoPlus blackberry & pomegrante 4 cups, 16 oz total $2.49 regular price, paid $0.49 ($0.50 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• Reynolds parchment paper 30 SF $2.99 regular price, paid $1.29 ($0.20 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• 2 Bic Soleil Twilight 3-blade razors 4 count $4.59 regular price, overage of -$0.70 each (BOGO store sale, $3 manufacturer's coupon each)
• Colgate Advanced Clean gel 5.8 oz $3.85 regular price, paid $1.50 ($0.85 off store sale, $0.50 off  from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $1.00 manufacturer's coupon)
• Chapstick 0.15 oz $1.59 regular price, paid $0.50 ($0.59 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion)
• Cheez-Its 9 oz $2.99 regular price, paid $0.24 ($1.50 off store sale, $0.50 off from Buy 10, get $5 off promotion, $0.75 manufacturer's coupon)

needed despite price

• Tropicana OJ Homestyle 64 oz $2.89
• onion 0.51 lb, $0.51 (dropped other one in parking lot, need one not to peel, we'll use the first one in something that requires onion sans skin)

Fourth stop: Walgreens

Spent 1.52
Saved 16.89

• 2 Almay One Coat mascara 0.4 oz $6.99 regular price each, overage of -$1.00 each (Wcoupon BOGO, 2 IVC $4.00 each)
• Cottonelle fresh wipes 42 count $3.89 regular price, paid $1.99 (Wcoupon $1.90 off -- couldn't use a manufacturer's coupon on this because I had so much overage on the mascara, and you have to pay all sales tax. No complaints here!)

Technically on Saturday: Ulta

I received a coupon for 20% off entire purchase in the mail, better than the 20% off single item that comes in the paper, so I headed to pick up some of my favorite lotion and some facewash. I ended up snagging some nail polish along the way -- I absolutely love the color.

Spent $28.40
Saved $10.70

Neutrogena Deep Clean 6.7 oz $6.49 regular price
Korres basil lemon body milk 8.45 oz $15.00 regular price
2 Essie Mademoiselle nail polish 0.5 oz $8.00 each (one bottle for a girlfriend that also really likes it, and they were having a buy one, get one 50% off, so it's a small saving on a splurge)

- 4.00 Essie buy one get one 50% off
- 6.70 20% off coupon

(all prices do not include tax, except total purchase price, and some store's regular pricing is less than realistic, take the overall "saved" numbers with a grain of salt)

Price book analysis: pickles

We basically buy two brands of pickles: Claussen and Wickles Pickles. Claussen mainly for snacking, and Wickles Pickles are heavenly on a burger with cheddar. I never enjoyed pickles growing up, but I didn't realize that they could be so fresh and crisp. We made two purchases of a third brand, both ill-advised and not tasty. Other great brands may be out there, we just happen to stick with what we know. Eventually, we'll try to make our own pickles with home-grown cucumber.

Of 16 pickle purchases since August 2006, only one has been at a store besides Publix, so I don't have a good store-to-store comparison. I probably missed some transactions made with cash, especially since good pickles are a splurge for us. I've started noticing Claussen coupons lately, so we'll probably use them for a small treat.

Our ability to afford more splurges is evident in our increase in purchases lately. We went from spending under $10 in 2007, to just over $30 in 2008. Total recorded purchases came to $46.15 for 16 transactions, ranging from $1.25 to $3.89, with an average price of $2.88.

Not all pickle jars are the same size, so per-ounce comparisons are most useful on a tight budget.

My average per-ounce cost for pickles overall is $0.1525, the range runs from $0.05 to $0.24 per ounce.

Good pickles are worth it, and not all inexpensive pickles are bland -- it just depends on the application.

Claussen

Seven purchases were various Claussen varieties -- dill halves, spears, sandwich slices. The average price was $2.16 per jar, and $0.0778 average price per ounce.

For Claussen dill spears, $2.00 per 24-ounce jar is a good sale price.

Stocking up isn't always practical with something that requires refrigeration, but anything below $0.07 or $0.08 per ounce is worth it if you have the room and will use before expiration.

Pricing the pickles

Between the two, only Claussen has regular sales prices that I've found, and I've only used a coupon once ever for pickles, just recently for Claussen. That said, price is not the most important criteria for us in this category. Wickles Pickles, which is from a smaller producer out of Alabama, makes spicy and potent pickles that are worth every penny. I like supporting a regional producer, and I really like tasty pickles.

Wickles Pickles

In a nice bit of symmetry, we also purchased Wickles Pickles seven times, the sweet chips variety. All were priced at $3.89, except for one purchase in May 2008 at Publix where they were $0.40 off. This breaks down to about $0.243 per ounce on average. I'm thinking about price checking some other stores to see if I can get a better price. We might splurge more often, especially since it's shelf stable with no refrigeration required.

Price book analysis: fruit roll-ups

We buy an inordinate amount of fruit roll-ups for a household with just two adults. But they're so tasty. We always buy Betty Crocker fruit roll-ups in the variety pack box. We like the surprise of the variety pack. They last forever in the pantry, and when it's days away from payday and you want a snack, it's easy. You can find significant savings with a little attention to sales alone if you regularly buy this item; although the three categories below include coupon savings as well.

a decent sale price if you're at the store craving fruit roll-ups

                around $2.00 per box of 10
                (standard size; $0.40 per ounce, $0.20 per roll)

consider buying an extra box

                at or below $1.50 per box of 10
                ($0.30 per ounce, $0.15 per roll)

buy as much as you can if you love fruit roll-ups with an undying passion

                around $0.80 per box of 10
                ($0.16 per ounce, $0.08 per roll)

Like most of our favorite foods, we go through phases where we can't get enough, followed by a period of time we don't really miss it. With fruit roll-ups, the swing is very evident. We bought 280 fruit roll-ups (!) in Aug - Dec 2006, 60 in 2007, 160 in 2008 and 40 thus far in 2009. My first 2007 purchase for fruit roll-ups was on 2/15/07, so it's not like I stocked up at the end of 2006. We ate 280 fruit roll-ups over basically 6 months -- that's one each every day or so, which is probably too many fruit roll-ups. I think our inclination to reduce the amount of processed food we eat is also at play in the reduction. 

In a world without coupons and sales (aka regular prices)

I'm only looking at pricing for the 10-count individual boxes for this category, which is what I always buy. The below numbers were not my final cost.

• ranges from $1.99 (Sept 06 Target) to $2.69 (Nov 08 Kroger)

• Publix $2.59

• Kroger $2.69

My best deal by per fruit roll-up price

I've hit my best deal on multiple occasions, on 6 out of 21 purchases. Most of those were in 2008 and 2009, so that means I've been getting smarter about when I act on deal and coupon combos.

$2.59 regular price
-$1.29 store sale
-$0.50 ($0.50 coupon doubled on purchase of 2)
$0.80 final price $0.16 per ounce, $0.08 per roll

My worst purchase is Kroger in Oct 06, $2.69 -- $0.54 per ounce, $0.269 per roll.

Coupons

Used coupons 16 out of 21 purchases, usually a $0.50 doubled. Coupons appear regularly and often in Sunday papers. I do typically wait for a sale, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly when the coupons come out.

Differences between stores

Publix

average final price: $0.120 per fruit roll-up, $0.241 per ounce

Publix wins almost every time when it comes to this item. Even without coupons, you can often find this on sale for $1.30 a box.

Kroger

average final price: $0.186 per fruit roll-up, $0.372 per ounce

As usual, I get better results with sales at Publix, although the bulk of Kroger purchases were in 2006.

Target

only one purchase in 2006 for Target

Looking at the big picture over time

• Average price per fruit roll-up: $0.145
• Average price per box: $1.40
• Average price per ounce: $0.29

2006 (first purchase 8/1/06) 11 purchases 280 fruit roll-ups $43.23

2007 3 purchases 60 fruit roll-ups $10.78

2008 4 purchases 160 fruit roll-ups $12.40

2009 (as of 2/24/09) 2 purchases 40 fruit roll-ups $3.20

Random notes

• first purchase was 8/1/06
• prices do not include tax as it varies by county

Introduction to price book analysis series

Click on the price book category on the right to see all the available posts about my price book.

Price book analysis: toilet paper

So I was mad at myself a few weeks ago. Well, not mad, just annoyed. I paid full price for toilet paper, which went on sale 3 days later. Since we really needed toilet paper, it's kind of irrelevant, but I could have been better prepared.

We were back down to the last few rolls, so I've had my fingers crossed for a decent sale price. That price came along Sunday, and matched with a recent coupon and my mad price book skills, I knew to buy.

We almost always buy Quilted Northern double roll package, unless beat over the head with an insanely cheap price for another brand. No particular reason for always choosing that brand, but it works for us. The only other brand that we bought since Aug 06 is Publix Greenwise, once because we were really broke and I didn't want to spend more than $2.59, and the other time it was the penny coupon item at Publix. Good penny coupon items at Publix make me happy.

a decent sale price if you need toilet paper asap

                around $0.013 per square foot

consider stocking up

                below $0.011 per square foot

buy as much as you can

                at or below $0.095 per square foot

--- good rule of thumb for per roll price: low $0.40 range ---

Looks like the grocery shrink ray has hit Quilted Northern, the last two packages I've bought have been a smaller square footage. A Consumerist reader sent them a tip in March 2008 about the size of Quilted Northern at Sam's Club, but these last few packages have been the first smaller sizes that I've noticed. That could be a mistake on my part, but I'm pretty careful about checking unit sizes. The 12 double-roll package has been 528 SF since at least 08/16/06. Looks like the new size is 450 SF, as of January 2009. Hmm, I might be able to find some retailers with older stock, I'll have to keep that in mind.

It makes more sense to consider price per square foot as opposed to per roll, especially with the recent square-footage decrease, but I've included per roll pricing where it makes sense.

In a world without coupons and sales (aka regular prices)

I'm only looking at pricing for the 12 double-roll package for this category, which is what I almost always buy. The below numbers were not my final cost.

• ranges from $6.99 (Jan 09 Target) to $9.49 (Jan 09 Walgreens)

• Publix has been at $7.99 since Mar 07 (update 2/4/09 -- Spotted at Publix today, regular price of $8.49. I wonder if the Kroger price has gone up?)

• Kroger $8.99

My best deal by per square foot price

The highest per roll price matched the below numbers. Not including the penny coupon purchase, my best deal on record is 3/31/07 at Publix.

$7.99 regular price
-$2.49 store sale
-$1.00 ($0.50 coupon doubled)
$4.50 final price $0.0085 PSF $0.38 per roll

My worst purchase is Kroger in May 07, $8.99 -- $0.0177 PSF $0.75 per roll.

Coupons

Used coupons 13 out of 28 purchases, usually a $0.50 doubled. Coupons seem to come out about 3 times per year for Quilted Northern. I do typically wait for a sale, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly when the coupons come out. Lately, I've been seeing more $1.00 off one coupons, which is great because it evens out the field between grocery stores that double and places like CVS.

Differences between stores

Publix

average final price: $0.0117 PSF* $0.52 per roll
(doesn't include penny coupon purchase to give a better guideline to average pricing)

My main store is Publix, and that works out in my favor when it comes to toilet paper at regular price, as mentioned above. It works out for sales prices too.

I'll buy at another store for a good price, but Publix wins almost every time when it comes to this item.

The best store sale at Publix is $2.49 off, which is probably an Advantage Buy, I've only recorded that sale price twice. Typical sales prices range from $1.00 to $1.99 off regular price.

Kroger

average final price: $0.0127 PSF $0.56 per roll

I find it easier to watch for sales at Publix since I'm usually there anyhow, but if I need toilet paper and Kroger has it on sale, I buy it. Sales are typically $3.00 or $4.00 off, but the regular price is higher, so don't be misled.

Walgreens

average final price: $0.0149 PSF $0.45 per roll

only two purchases included in the averages

Target

average final price: $0.0128 PSF $0.54 per roll

only three purchases included in the averages

Looking at the big picture over time

• Average price per roll: $0.53

• Average price per square foot: $0.0123

2006 (first purchase 8/16/06) 6 purchases 73 rolls 3,696 SF $41.95

2007 9 purchases 116 rolls 5,324 SF $62.94

2008 11 purchases 125 rolls 4,774 SF* $61.00

2009 (as of 1/27/09) 2 purchases 24 rolls 900 SF $12.28

Looks like we have about 6 weeks between purchases.

Random notes

first purchase was 8/16/06

*I didn't record the square footage of a 6-roll package in 2008, and Quilted Northern has decreased the square footage of the 12-roll package. I can't assume a number, but the purchase is included in all pricing not related to square footage.

Introduction to price book analysis series

Click on the price book category on the right to see all the available posts about my price book.

Price book analysis series

I've been tracking spending on regularly bought items since August 2006, which means my price book spreadsheet has grown to an alarmingly large file size. All that data entry needs to be put to good use, so I'm going to do a series of price book analysis posts.

The spreadsheet is organized by type of item (eggs, orange juice, white bread, dishwasher detergent), so by default each post will follow a similar structure. I want to approach it from several viewpoints so that I can establish a baseline price, and get an idea of price trending at various stores.

I have a vague idea of what a good price is for almost anything we buy, but I want to know the difference between a decent sale price and stock-up worthy price, specific to stores in my area. Otherwise, I have to check all the sales and open up my price book, etc. etc. This analysis is a way to make saving money, well, just easier to fit into life.

How I'll break the price book down, item by item:

• average purchase price -- overall, by store, per unit
• spending in various time frames
• coupons, sales and final price

We tend to stick to the same brands unless it's an excellent deal, so this series may be hit or miss in terms of usefulness depending on what you tend to purchase. We also tend to shop at certain stores for reasons beyond price, such as selection and proximity. We have a two-person household, but we do often feed others. Finally, our main grocery stores double coupons up to $0.50, I think I would cry if they discontinued this.

Look for the first post in the series soon!

Click on the price book category on the right to see all the available posts.