Ok, so ‘trick’ seems a little harsh, so we’ll go with ‘strategy.’  Did you know that retail stores employ various ‘strategies’ to get you to spend more money than you might have otherwise?  Here are a couple to be aware of:

1. Scan the shelves for the best deals. The less expensive spices, laundry detergents and off-brand bargains are placed out of our regular line of sight. Look around (especially on the lower shelves) and you’ll find better deals.
2. Beware of BOGO deals! First of all, BOGO rarely means ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ anymore, it’s usually ‘Buy One, Get One 50% Off.’ Secondly, BOGO deals are designed to clear out excess stock and often get us to buy something we wouldn’t otherwise.
3. Pre-sale mark ups. Some stores try to mark up prices a bit before putting something on sale. This makes your savings look more significant, when it really isn’t.