go.

A few minutes ago, as I was showering, I got to thinking about the expensive, smallish bar of soap sitting in front of me. This bar is not a regular bar of soap. Nay, it is a bar of Neutrogena Face Soap. I purchased it to appease my girlfriend who complains about showering at my house (and because of the recurring nightmare where Kyan comes to my house). Well, I began to ponder the cost of this soap. I believe I spent around $3, and as I thought about it, I realized that $3 isn’t off the chart. But, how can one really compare the economy of soap? Will this $3 bar dissolve faster (per square inch washed) than a bar of Dial? Can the internet answer these questions? My searches say no. I see a need here.

The world needs a site that compares the costs of the minutest details of our buying decisions - a site that could do for budgeting what Ray Jardine has done for backpacking. This would be the thrifty man’s source for new pennies to pinch. On the site he could find:

• cost per scrub for common bar soaps
• meat to bean ratio for popular brands of canned franks & beans
• lifetime cost of a Swiffer vs. broom/mop (I think we all know which way the scales will tip here)
• special articles on topics such as burning phone books and political mailings for heat in the winter
• and I’m sure you can think of many more…

I see a need, but I can’t fill it. I just don’t have the time. Won’t someone come forward?

ps. I tried the soap. The jury’s still out.