Grocery Shopping Worksheet for 14-Year-Olds: Practical Math and Life Skills

Instructions

Welcome to your grocery shopping challenge! This worksheet will test your budgeting, comparison shopping, and nutrition knowledge. You may use a calculator. Read each section carefully and answer all the questions to the best of your ability.

Part 1: The Budget Challenge

You have a strict budget of $45.00 to buy groceries. Below is your shopping list with the price of each item. Your task is to see if you can afford everything.

• 1 Gallon of Milk: $3.89
• 1 Loaf of Bread: $2.75
• 1 Jar of Peanut Butter (16 oz): $3.50
• 1 Bag of Apples (3 lbs): $4.99
• 1 Box of Cereal: $4.25
• 1 Dozen Eggs: $3.15
• 2 Boxes of Mac & Cheese: $1.50 each
• 1 Frozen Pizza: $6.80
• 1 Bag of Baby Carrots: $2.20

1. Calculate the subtotal. The subtotal is the cost of all items before tax. Show your work.

2. Calculate the final total. Your state has a 6% sales tax on these items. To find the tax amount, multiply your subtotal by 0.06. Then, add the tax amount to your subtotal to get the final total.

3. Did you stay within your $45.00 budget? (Yes / No)

4. If you went over budget, which one item would you remove from the list to meet your budget? Explain why you chose that item.

Part 2: Smart Shopper Showdown

Getting the best value often means comparing the unit price (the cost per ounce, gram, pound, etc.). The item with the lower unit price is the better deal, even if its shelf price is higher. Calculate the unit price for the options below to find the better buy. Round your answers to two decimal places (the nearest cent).

Formula: Price ÷ Size = Unit Price

You need to buy some orange juice. Which is the better deal?

• Option A: A 52 fl oz carton for $3.79
• Option B: A 128 fl oz jug (1 gallon) for $8.49

1. What is the price per fluid ounce (fl oz) for Option A?

2. What is the price per fluid ounce (fl oz) for Option B?

3. Which option is the better value for your money?

Part 3: Nutrition Detective

You're comparing two brands of granola bars. Use the nutrition labels below to answer the questions.

1. Which bar has more protein per serving?

2. You want to choose the option with less sugar. Which brand should you pick?

3. You're looking for a snack to keep you feeling full, and dietary fiber helps with that. Which bar is the better choice for fiber content?

4. Based on all the information, if you were choosing a snack to eat right after a sports practice, which bar would be a better choice and why?

Part 4: Store Secrets

Grocery stores are carefully designed to influence your buying habits. Answer the following true or false questions about common marketing tactics.

1. True or False: Essential items like milk and eggs are often placed at the back of the store so that you have to walk past many other products to get to them.

2. True or False: The most expensive brands and products are usually placed on the top and bottom shelves, not at eye level.

3. True or False: Stores use end caps (the displays at the end of aisles) to feature clearance items that they want to get rid of quickly.

Answer Key

Part 1: The Budget Challenge

1. Subtotal: $34.53
   Work: $3.89 + $2.75 + $3.50 + $4.99 + $4.25 + $3.15 + ($1.50 x 2) + $6.80 + $2.20 = $34.53
2. Final Total: $36.60
   Work: Tax = $34.53 x 0.06 = $2.07. Total = $34.53 + $2.07 = $36.60
3. Yes. ($36.60 is less than the $45.00 budget).
4. This question is based on the assumption of going over budget, so answers will vary if the student correctly calculated that they were under budget. A good answer if they thought they were over: "I would remove the frozen pizza because it is the most expensive single item and is not an essential staple like milk or bread."

Part 2: Smart Shopper Showdown

1. Option A Unit Price: $0.07 per fl oz
   Work: $3.79 ÷ 52 fl oz = $0.0728... (rounds to $0.07)
2. Option B Unit Price: $0.07 per fl oz
   Work: $8.49 ÷ 128 fl oz = $0.0663... (rounds to $0.07)
3. Option B is the better value. Even though they both round to $0.07, the unrounded calculation ($0.066) shows that Option B is slightly cheaper per ounce.

Part 3: Nutrition Detective

1. Brand Y (10g of protein vs. Brand X's 2g).
2. Brand X (12g of sugar vs. Brand Y's 15g).
3. Brand Y (5g of fiber vs. Brand X's 1g).
4. Brand Y would be a better choice after sports practice. Protein is important for muscle repair after exercise, and Brand Y has significantly more protein.

Part 4: Store Secrets

1. True. This strategy increases the chances you'll see and buy other items on your way.
2. False. The most popular (and often most profitable) items are placed at eye level, where they are easiest to see and grab. Cheaper or specialty items are often on the bottom or top shelves.
3. True. While end caps often feature sale items, they are also used for new products or high-profit seasonal items. However, they are a common place for clearance.