Discover how to spot hidden supermarket pricing tricks and save money on groceries. Learn why big value multipacks can cost you more per unit.
Written 9th June 2025
I had to buy loo rolls this week.
I always buy the largest multipack of Asda own brand loo roll. A few years ago they stopped making the 24 roll pack and started doing a 12 pack but with more sheets per roll. I assumed it would still be the most economical way to buy them until last week when I just thought I'd check compared to the 16 pack they do.
So I'm stood in Asda with my calculator out, madly tapping away, feeling like a bit of an obsessive weirdo because of course the big 12 pack with 'BIG SAVER' printed on the packaging was going to be the best buy. But I just had to check.
I'm quite good at maths so could easily work out the price per sheet and I was flabbergasted to calculate that the 16 pack is actually cheaper per sheet. Flabbergasted and annoyed with myself for never checking this before. That's several years I've been paying more than I needed to.
A bit of me wants to say 'shame on Asda' for that misleading packaging. But they didn't lie, not really. It is more economical than buying a pack of 2 or 4 so they aren't technically lying.
So, the moral of the story is, just because something says 'big saver' or 'great value' or similar on the packaging or like me, you always assume the biggest multipack will be the most economical purchase option, always check.
To saving a penny at a time, keep watching them!
Supermarket tricks are designed to quietly drain your cash, a few pennies at a time, before you even reach the checkout. Head over to the Daily Allowance Calculator to see exactly what you have left to spend each day after your bills are paid, and make sure you keep a fierce guard over your remaining pounds.