Slash your drive-thru bills with this simple mind trick everyone’s talking about!
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As you pull up to the drive-thru, the aroma of sizzling burgers and fresh fries wafts through your car window. It's a familiar scene for many of us, especially when we're on the go and need a quick bite.
But have you noticed that your wallet feels a bit lighter after each visit? You're not alone.
Here’s why it’s happening and how restaurants are coping.
Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King have increased their prices many times over the last few years. Across the nation, fast food aficionados are feeling the pinch as menu prices creep upward, a trend fueled by inflation and savvy marketing tactics designed to loosen our purse strings.
One strategy they use is called “charm pricing.” It's that clever tactic where your favorite burger is listed at $4.99 instead of a round $5.00.
It seems innocuous, but there's a method to the madness. Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, shared “Our brains process numbers quickly and often emotionally, especially during purchasing decisions.”
So, when we spot that $4.99, our minds register it as $4, even though it's only a penny shy of $5.
“This strategy is based on the idea that odd numbers are more trustworthy,” an expert told New York Post of charm pricing.
It's why you'll rarely see full-dollar amounts on the menu. But don't fret—there's a way to beat the system.
Alpert said, one simple trick that customers can do is to round up those prices. When you see $4.99, train your brain to think $5.
Alpert advises that this small adjustment “can reduce the emotional impact of charm pricing and help you make more rational decisions.”
But charm pricing isn’t the only thing that customers need to look out for. Combo deals and loyalty programs can lure customers into spending more money that they planned.
Alpert also adds, “Pause and ask yourself if the item is really worth the cost or if you're being swayed by how it's presented. Developing mindful spending habits can help you resist psychological tricks and make choices that align with your goals.”
It's not just charm pricing that's out to get your greenbacks. Some social media users have called out fast-food chains for repackaging existing deals as brand-new bargains.
“They're pretending like they launched a whole new "McValue" menu and they are only using the same deals they already had, and made the start price of each item slightly more than they were previously…” a social media user commented.
For instance, the McValue menu, which launched on January 7, was quickly criticized for merely adjusting the prices of existing items and presenting them as special offers.
Combo deals and loyalty programs are other tools in the fast-food belt, subtly encouraging customers to spend more under the guise of saving.
Also read: Stop wasting cash: The 5 sneaky tactics restaurants use to drain your wallet!
Have you tried the rounding-up strategy? Do you have other tips for resisting marketing ploys? Or perhaps you've noticed a change in your spending habits at fast-food restaurants? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
But have you noticed that your wallet feels a bit lighter after each visit? You're not alone.
Here’s why it’s happening and how restaurants are coping.
Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King have increased their prices many times over the last few years. Across the nation, fast food aficionados are feeling the pinch as menu prices creep upward, a trend fueled by inflation and savvy marketing tactics designed to loosen our purse strings.
One strategy they use is called “charm pricing.” It's that clever tactic where your favorite burger is listed at $4.99 instead of a round $5.00.
Fast food customers are frustrated with rising menu prices, which have been influenced by inflation. Image source: sharwan894984 / Pixabay.
It seems innocuous, but there's a method to the madness. Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, shared “Our brains process numbers quickly and often emotionally, especially during purchasing decisions.”
So, when we spot that $4.99, our minds register it as $4, even though it's only a penny shy of $5.
“This strategy is based on the idea that odd numbers are more trustworthy,” an expert told New York Post of charm pricing.
It's why you'll rarely see full-dollar amounts on the menu. But don't fret—there's a way to beat the system.
Alpert said, one simple trick that customers can do is to round up those prices. When you see $4.99, train your brain to think $5.
Alpert advises that this small adjustment “can reduce the emotional impact of charm pricing and help you make more rational decisions.”
But charm pricing isn’t the only thing that customers need to look out for. Combo deals and loyalty programs can lure customers into spending more money that they planned.
Alpert also adds, “Pause and ask yourself if the item is really worth the cost or if you're being swayed by how it's presented. Developing mindful spending habits can help you resist psychological tricks and make choices that align with your goals.”
It's not just charm pricing that's out to get your greenbacks. Some social media users have called out fast-food chains for repackaging existing deals as brand-new bargains.
“They're pretending like they launched a whole new "McValue" menu and they are only using the same deals they already had, and made the start price of each item slightly more than they were previously…” a social media user commented.
For instance, the McValue menu, which launched on January 7, was quickly criticized for merely adjusting the prices of existing items and presenting them as special offers.
Combo deals and loyalty programs are other tools in the fast-food belt, subtly encouraging customers to spend more under the guise of saving.
Also read: Stop wasting cash: The 5 sneaky tactics restaurants use to drain your wallet!
Have you tried the rounding-up strategy? Do you have other tips for resisting marketing ploys? Or perhaps you've noticed a change in your spending habits at fast-food restaurants? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
