Is That Discount Worth Your Time?
Your time has a price tag. Calculate whether chasing a deal actually saves you money.
$
min
$
Your Time Cost
$15.00
Net Gain/Loss
-$5.00
Breakeven Savings
$15.00
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The Opportunity Cost of Discount Shopping
Economists call this opportunity cost — the value of what you give up to do something else. When you spend 30 minutes driving to use a 10% off coupon, your time has a real dollar value.
Net Savings = Discount Amount − (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent)
Is It Worth Your Time? Quick Reference
| Your Wage | 30 min cost | Min savings needed |
|---|---|---|
| $15/hr | $7.50 | $8+ |
| $25/hr | $12.50 | $13+ |
| $30/hr | $15.00 | $15+ |
| $50/hr | $25.00 | $25+ |
| $75/hr | $37.50 | $38+ |
When 10% Off Is NOT Worth It
10% off a $30 shirt = $3 saved. If it takes you 15 minutes of extra effort, you need to earn less than $12/hour for this to be "worth it" mathematically. For most people, it's not.
10% off a $2,000 laptop = $200 saved. Even at $100/hour, spending 30 minutes ($50) to save $200 is a clear win.
Rule of thumb: Only chase a discount when the savings exceed your hourly wage × time spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subtract your time cost (hourly wage × hours) from the discount savings. If the result is positive, it's worth it. If negative, your time is more valuable.
It depends on your hourly rate and the time involved. At $30/hour, a 30-minute trip costs you $15, so you need to save more than $15 for it to be worthwhile.
Only if the dollar savings exceeds your time cost. 10% off a $500 item ($50) is worth a 30-minute drive for most people. 10% off a $30 item ($3) almost never is.
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