Part 5/9:
As the week progressed, the experience of shopping for dollar store food revealed stark realities. The initial perception of affordability often dissolved into disillusionment. A closer look at unit pricing illustrated how packaging can disguise true value—some items branded as low-cost may indeed be pricier per unit than comparable products at supermarkets. Items that appear to offer savings often do not reflect true value, especially for financially constrained families who lack alternatives.