Shop Smarter: Avoid this Retail Trick

While some of us have our shopping completely done, others haven't even started so here's a quick tip to avoid spending more...

Retail stores have a clever way to get you to spend more: "the decoy effect." Behavioral research conducted by Dan Ariely, Ph.D of Duke University, has shown that when customers were given a choice between two products, one of which is priced lower and is lower quality (say an MP3 Player that holds fewer songs), they'll often choose the cheaper one.

BUT when a third (decoy) item is introduced at an even higher price, shoppers are more likely to opt for the mid-priced-one. Meaning - adding another product nudges shoppers up the price scale instead of making them stick with the bargain buy.

Bottom line: Think carefully when you see a display of products at varied prices, and hold steady at the price you can afford.

Comments

Tame the Tum: Spare tire or stress bulge?

For many women, getting bikini ready means tackling one dreaded area in particular — our tummies. Most of us still think the best way to achieve a washboard stomach is by doing hundreds of sit-ups. Not so, says A-list trainer and body guru James Duigan. James, who sculpts supermodels Elle Macpherson and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley among others, insists there is no ‘one size fits all’ method for getting a flat belly. Instead, he’s identified five key ‘tummy types,’ all of which require a different approach to achieve successful toning. Once you figure out your tummy type (mine is the STRESS BELLY) thanks to the UK Daily Mail , you'll be on your way to getting the perfect midriff... THE SPARE TIRE TUMMY The spare tire: This is one of the easiest tummy troubles to eliminate because it's caused by eating the wrong foods and not exercising enough. HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE These people are likely to lead sedentary lives, perhaps with jobs that k

Martin Luther King GIVEAWAY!!

Happy MLK Jr. Day!! It's GIVEAWAY time! For all your readers that have been with me since the beginning of time (three whole months now), you'll remember my "What's one item of make-up I could not live without?" post. To refresh your memory - MASCARA. For today's giveaway, one lucky reader will receive my secret to voluptuous, clump-free eyelashes; the combination of Jane's MaxLash Primer & Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara. With an added bonus - Sonia Kashuk's Full Glam Eyelashes for a night where you want your eyes to really pop! If you missed my Splurge vs. Steal post on Fake Eyelashes , this is a must-read. To be eligible to win: 1) You must be a Friend/Fan on my Facebook page. If you aren't already, just click on the Facebook icon on the left toolbar and it will re-direct you to Hailey's Helpful Hints page. 2) You must answer the question in the comment section below: WHAT IS ONE ITEM OF MAKE-UP YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT? Rules: 1)

Digital Savings 101

Did you know that 96.8 million adults will use digital coupons this year? Are you one of them? Normally I am not but my mom recently turned me on to RetailMeNot.com. If I'm not shopping on Amazon, I'll always search the store on Retail Me Not prior to purchasing to see if they have a valid promo code to save a little extra. Wondering where to look? The Internet can be a treasure trove when it comes to getting the most for your money. Thanks to Family Circle magazine, Denise Winston, author of Money Starts Here! Your Practical Guide to Survive and Thrive in Any Economy , and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch, these recommended sites are the best to bookmark for bargains on food, fun and more. CouponBlender.com At this gateway to savings, you'll see dozens of deals at a glance from the top couponing destinations (the homepage is constantly updated with a slew of news feeds). Each of the featured sites includes a range of shopping categories, so you can snag coupons for gro

Hailey's Helpful Hints

Search This Blog