Comparison Shopping

What are your spending habits? Think about the last item you purchased – Did you look at the product carefully, or consider other options before purchasing it? – Did you buy the first thing you saw? Based on size? Based on color? Based on price? Compare products? Are you an impulse shopper or a comparison shopper?

Shopping Habits Impulse Buying – Unplanned buying – Little consideration of the product or other options – “emotional buying” Comparison Shopping – Planned buying – Careful consideration of the product, features, price and quality – “rational buying”

Comparison Shopping Benefits of comparison shopping – Buy the same product or service for less money – Buy more goods and services with the same amount of money – Buy a better quality product for the same amount of money

How can we compare? Cost Quality Information provided Size / quantity Personal likes and dislikes Location of product

Compare quality Cost does not always equal quality.

If evaluating clothing for quality Are stitches tight Is the hem tight Does it fit well How do I care for the piece of clothing? Is there double stitching where needed? Is there room for alterations? Are the fastners on tight?

How to evaluate quality of food Does it taste good? Does it look attractive? Is it fresh? Is it healthy? Is it organic?

Why are there regulations on labels?

Food Labels

What foods do not have to have labels? Fresh fruits Fresh vegetables fish

What information must be on food labels? Name of food Name and address of company Nutritional content Ingredient list in order Total net weight

Why is it important to know how to read the food label?

How to evaluate the information? Is it true? Could the person have a hidden agenda? Is the information an opinion?

Steps of Comparison Shopping Step One – Decide exactly what is needed before shopping Step Two – What is the quality of the product I am using? Step Three – What is the total cost? Step Four – How will the product be used? Step Five – Consider the opportunity cost and make a decision

Three sections of a food label Section 1 Is called Display Section

Display section Picture of food Weight of food Description of the

Second section is called “Consumer Section” Ingredients in order from most to least Company name Company address Company phone or Food name Bar code

Last section of a label is the “Nutrition Section” Serving size Number of servings per container Calories Fat content Cholesterol Sodium Carbohydrates Fiber Sugar protein Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium iron

Writing Assignment 4 point question: You have a friend that just went to the doctor and found out that she needs to eat more healthy. Explain to her how and why she can use the nutrition label to help her eat more healthy.