Hey there. I have done the cost comparison before and to make soap using this method cost about the same as purchasing cheap soap in bulk, cheaper if you can find a deal on lye. I think the skill is what is important, because the next step would be to make your own lye (which we are working on now) and using lard from an animal you have butchered for meat, making the soap ultimately free using things you would normally throw away. I'll see if I can find my detail cost comparison.