YFCS-3/3.3, New Oct 2001. Molly Gregg, Extension 4-H Program Specialist

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Why We Buy Project More to Do--How Much Does It Cos t?

	Protected Under 18 U.S.C. 707

Cost or price is important to consider when making a purchase. Several things determine price. For example, brand name products, such as Cheerios, are more expensive than generic products, such as the store brand of toasted oats, because the cost of advertising the brand name products is passed on to the consumer. The size of a product often impacts how much it costs. Where you make a purchase (department store, outlet, grocery store, convenience store, etc.) can also affect cost.

Compare the prices of three different products. Choose the three products at three different stores. Compare them using the following table. Report your findings to your 4-H club.

Product	Brand Name	Generic	Store Name	Store Type	Product Price

Are items cheaper at one store than they are at other stores?

Did you find a bargain?

Did you find an item that was overpriced at one store when compared to the price charged at other stores?

Do you think that you can save money by comparison shopping?

• Organize a "no logo day" at your school. The challenge is for each student to come to school in clothing that has no identifiable brand labels or logos. Have a contest to see who has the fewest logos.
• See if your family can go an entire day without spending any money.
• Can you think of reasons why buying things could be necessary for our society? Does it help the economy? Does it hurt the environment? Write your thoughts in your 4-H journal.
• Go on a field trip with your 4-H club to a pioneer village or museum. Discuss how we have moved from being a rural population to an urban one and what effect this change has had on society and the environment.
• Make something from scratch that you would normally buy: a loaf of bread, a birthday present, or a game.

Trade names are used only to give specific information. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System does not endorse or guarantee any product and does not recommend one product instead of another that might be similar.

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.