There are few things as confusing to the price-conscious shopper as standing there in the toilet tissue aisle attempting to ascertain the best value. I can't think of a better time than today to review the simple math needed to come up with the best answer — every time.
Dear Mary: Is there any way to reasonably comparison shop for toilet paper? It drives me crazy trying to figure this out. There has to be a way, and I'm going to bet you know it. — Darryl
Dear Darryl: Comparing prices on toilet paper is confusing; no two rolls or packages are alike because there are no set standards for toilet paper (and I'm not suggesting there should be) We can't compare roll for roll, because roll sizes vary from one manufacturer to another. Some companies offer double rolls, jumbo rolls or even 1,000-sheet rolls — all of which is pretty meaningless when trying to make a reasonable price comparison. Same with comparing the number of sheets per roll. There is no set size for a sheet of toilet paper! To make things even more confusing, some rolls are two-ply (have two layers), and others are single-ply.
Price per square foot for thick (two-ply) or thin (one-ply) is the most reliable method for comparing toilet paper prices. Most manufacturers these days reveal both of these measurements on the product label. You may have to search for this information, but you should be able to find it somewhere.
So, you thought all those math classes you took in school were for naught? Finally, they're about to pay off. The goal is to discover the price per square foot of the products you are comparing. Do this by dividing the price of the product by the number of square feet.
If the product label reveals the number of square feet contained therein (often expressed as "FT2," the "2" being squared), you're in luck. If the label shows how many square inches of product are contained in the package, divide that number by 144 to get to the number of square feet. Then, divide that result into the price.
If the shelf label reveals the price per 100 square feet, divide that price by 100 to get the price of 1 square foot.
Dear Mary: Please advise how to remove rust spots from white cutwork linen pieces, or any kind of fabric for that matter. I have no idea where these spots came from but would love to remove them. — Frieda H.
Dear Frieda: Provided the pieces are washable, soak the rust spots with lemon juice and then work table salt into them. Set them out in the sun for a few hours. Brush the salt away. If any rust stain remains, repeat. Once the rust stains are gone, launder as usual.
Dear Mary: I can't keep lettuce in my refrigerator for more than two days without it turning rusty. I've tried everything, Tupperware containers, washing and putting paper towels in the bag with it, not washing until using. Even though the date on the package says it will be good for at least five days after opening, I end up throwing it away before that time. Am I the only one who has this problem? — Pat
Dear Pat: "Rust" on lettuce leaves is harmless. It develops from the natural breakdown process in the cells once the lettuce is harvested. Just know that it isn't rust as we think of it. This color change indicates old lettuce. If this is happening on dated package greens, return the package to the store for a refund.
When selecting head lettuce, look at the stem area, where the head was cut from the stalk. If it is bright white, you know the head is very fresh. If it is rust color, it's getting quite old. For your freshest choice, select the head that's closest to white.
Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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