How a Simple Number Can Save You Big Money

Hello Savvy Shoppers, and welcome back to your weekly guide to spending smarter!

This week, we’re diving into a staple of pantries everywhere: the humble can of baked beans. It seems simple, right? You walk down the aisle, grab your usual brand, and toss it in the trolley. But what if I told you that this simple habit could be costing you more than double what you need to pay?

The shelf price—that big, bold number on the label—is one of the most misleading things in a grocery store. It doesn’t tell you what you’re actually getting for your money. Today, we’re going to ignore it and focus on the one number that truly matters: the price per gram.

Let’s break down how you can use this secret weapon to win the baked bean battle, whether you’re hunting for the absolute cheapest option or just trying to get the best deal on your favorite brand.

Finding the Undisputed “Best Value” Champion

IIf your goal is to get the most beans for your buck, brand loyalty goes out the window. We need to find the product with the absolute lowest price per gram.

After analyzing the data from major retailers, the winner is clear and it might surprise you. It’s not one of the big national brands, but a store-exclusive hero.

As you can see, the eKasi Baked Beans from Shoprite are the runaway winner, costing just 1.9 cents per gram. To put that in perspective, it’s nearly 70% cheaper per gram than the KOO Lite version from PnP. This is a massive saving that you’d never spot by just looking at the shelf price.

The Smart Brand Loyalist – Getting Your Favourite for Less

“But I love my KOO beans!” I hear you say. We get it. Brand loyalty is real, and sometimes you just want the taste you know and love.

But here’s the secret: you can still be a brand loyalist and a savvy shopper. The trick is to compare the price per gram within the same brand. A brand often sells the same product in different sizes, multi-packs, and “lite” versions, and the value can vary wildly.

Let’s look at KOO as a perfect example.

This is fascinating! The “KOO Baked Beans (6-pack)” from Checkers, which many people would assume is a good bulk deal, is actually one of the worst-value options at 5.4 cents per gram. You’d be better off buying the standard 400g can. This proves that even when you’re sticking to one brand, comparing the unit price is non-negotiable.

The Surprise – Why You Must Shop Around

Here’s the final piece of the puzzle, and it’s something our data made crystal clear: you cannot find the best deals if you only shop at one store.

Remember our “Best Value” champion, the eKasi beans? Our investigation found that this brand is not available at all major retailers. You can only find this incredible deal if you walk into a Shoprite. If you only ever shopped at Checkers or PnP, you would miss out on the cheapest option entirely.

Furthermore, prices for the exact same item can differ from store to store, especially when there’s a deal. Let’s look at the standard 410g can of Rhodes Baked Beans.

While the regular price at Checkers and PnP was identical, a “2 for R30” deal at Shoprite made it the cheapest place to buy that day. These deals change constantly, proving that a smart shopper is an agile shopper.

Your Action Plan for This Week

Saving money isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about information. Here’s your plan:

1. Master the Price Per Gram: Make it a habit to find this number on the shelf label for everything you buy. It’s your new best friend.
2. Be a Smart Brand Loyalist: If you love a brand, find its best-value version. Don’t assume the multi-pack is the cheapest.
3. Shop Around: You don’t have to visit every store every week, but be open to trying a different one. You never know what exclusive deals you might find.

Stay savvy, and we’ll see you next week with another guide to making your money work for you!

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