Are you getting less for your money?

I'm in a marketing class this semester at college, and we just discussed this subject, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Manufacturers are in business for the purpose of making a profit. Sometimes, the way they continue to maintain their profit levels is by keeping the price of their product the same, and reducing the actual contents of the package. The package probably looks almost exactly the same, but the net weight of the potato chips, or the number of pieces of candy in the bag, is reduced.

I understand their need to make a profit (I am a capitalist, after all), but I'd rather spend my money wisely, thank you. So, how do you combat the effects of these de facto price increases? Shop smart. Use a price book. You can find a great grocery price book on my Free Excel Spreadsheets page. While you're there, check out the other useful spreadsheets as well.

Use your price book. Know what you are paying per slice, per ounce, per can, and so on. After a while, you'll start to notice that prices on certain products follow a 12-week cycle, or some other regular cycle. Once you get wise, you'll be able to time your use of coupons to where you're buying products at their lowest point in the price cycle and using coupons. That's when you start seeing some real steals. For an easier way to do this, which takes the guesswork out of the equation, see Google for The Grocery Game website.