Whether it be the result of our current economic state, or just a desire to pinch pennies, most of us are in a race to find the best deals on the products we consume.I certainly love the challenge of racking up the savings at CVS or meticulously clipping and filing my coupons each week for those rare, but energizing, double/triple coupon events at my local grocery.
But recently I found myself in an unusual, less-than-frugal, situation. It seems I had lost count of our household toilet paper stash, placing us in dire need of TP, and - horror of horrors- with no sale or decent coupon in sight. I stood bewildered in the paper products aisle at the store, staring at the vast assortment of tissue. How in the world does one tally the cheapest TP option when each package can appear so different?
If any of this sounds familiar, than you'll probably like this random post.
It's about toilet paper.
I wrote a post about toilet paper. Toilet paper! Oy vey.
Note: I would be much more embarrassed admitting this post's topic had my research not uncovered a brilliant statistical thesis entitled, The Toilet Paper Problem, authored by a professor at Stanford University. A professor. At Stanford. Writing about toilet paper. No shame.
Anyway, I digress.
During my time in the paper products aisle, I noted several components that characterize a given package of toilet paper. I'm sure you're aware of them all, but do you know which will assist you in making a frugal selection? I'll give you a hint: it isn't the number of rolls per package...
PLY
One... two... even three-ply (in some countries) tissue can be found. Typically, the higher the ply, the lesser the product length - "sheets" - per roll. However, the higher the ply, the less product you need per visit.
During my time in the paper products aisle, I noted several components that characterize a given package of toilet paper. I'm sure you're aware of them all, but do you know which will assist you in making a frugal selection? I'll give you a hint: it isn't the number of rolls per package...
PLY
One... two... even three-ply (in some countries) tissue can be found. Typically, the higher the ply, the lesser the product length - "sheets" - per roll. However, the higher the ply, the less product you need per visit.
Keep in mind, though, what are your TP habits? If you subconsciously unroll a lot at a time, perhaps 2-ply isn't a frugal option for you.
But it's a personal decision. Very personal.
ROLL SIZE
What a joke. I'm fairly sure all the toilet paper companies have united in a global plan to make even the simplest of purchases confusing for the average consumer. But we're not average consumers, are we? And we're not confused, either. Here's the short of it. Each company has a specific way they like to label their product, but essentially they all represent the same sizing. How's this for a quick breakdown:
ROLL SIZE
What a joke. I'm fairly sure all the toilet paper companies have united in a global plan to make even the simplest of purchases confusing for the average consumer. But we're not average consumers, are we? And we're not confused, either. Here's the short of it. Each company has a specific way they like to label their product, but essentially they all represent the same sizing. How's this for a quick breakdown:
| Brand | Size 1 | Size 1 x 2 | Size 1 x 3 |
| Charmin | Regular | Big | Mega |
| Scott | Regular | Double | |
| Angel Soft | Regular | Double | |
| Cottonelle | Single | Double | |
| Quilted N | Regular | Double | Mega |
SHEETS and SQUARE FEET
Here is where the frugal shopper's math begins.
Here is where the frugal shopper's math begins.
Each package of toilet paper lists the # sheets per roll and the # of square feet per package. If you typically use the latter as your way to identify the most cost effective purchase... then congratulations! You are one heck of a frugal mastermind.
Be sure to leave me a comment so I can start coming to you with all my other frugal dilemmas. :-)
Be sure to leave me a comment so I can start coming to you with all my other frugal dilemmas. :-)
Yes, it's true. Don't go by the number of rolls, or the number of sheets. Simply divide the price by the number of sq. feet per package. (Keep in mind the variance in the number of ply.)
Who knew it could be so simple?
Who knew it could be so simple?
****
Little known TP facts:
- Charmin is the dominant toilet paper
- Most individuals use an average of 57 sheets of toilet paper, daily
- Scott was the first producer of toilet paper on a roll, in 1890
- For more fun frugal reading, be sure to check out "The Economics of Toilet Paper"
Or for the most frugal option...
ReplyDeletehttp://walkslowlylivewildly.com/category/cloth-toilet-paper/
*wink*
Wow. I'm not sure whether I'm amused or incredulous. I think amused... You crack me up!
ReplyDeleteI tend to lose my frugality when it comes to TP, at least to a certain extent. I still automatically do all the calculations of which package gives the most sq ft per penny, but I don't always follow them to the cheapest stuff.
ReplyDeleteWord of caution - I've noticed a couple packages that have slightly narrower rolls, and so give you fewer square feet, but more length per package.
Just in case anyone out there gets their kicks out of also calculating the number of squares per penny, be aware not all squares are the same size either. Some are slightly longer than others, in addition to their differing widths. However, the difference is rarely more than a cm or two, so you won't see the difference in casual use, but it will give you a significant difference in the number of squares in a total roll.
My favorite calculation is the length per penny. That may encompass differing numbers of squares per foot, but that's what I typically use. If it's a 4" wide roll, multiply the sq. ft. number by 3 to get the length if it's not printed on the package. (multiply by 2.7 if it's a 4.5" wide roll)
So many different calculations and comparisons! It's a minor entertainment for me while shopping.
I love this, Faith! I have stood in the TP aisle trying to decide, and, yes, usually consider only the square footage per package. It has come down to a psychological thing, I think, for me. The thicker-FEELING that TP is to me, the less used. Therefore, I have settled on two usual choices: Quilted Northern and Cottenelle. Scott Naturals is ok. Charmin is thick, but more costly than the rest, and so it is knocked of the list. I usually only print/clip coupons for QN or C.
ReplyDelete:) Who would've thunk we would discourse over the virtues of toilet paper and TP-buying!!
Seriously Faith? You never cease to amaze me!
ReplyDelete