HINTS FROM HELOISE
Dear Heloise:
Why are items priced at $4.99 instead of $5? There must be a reason behind it. — Jenna D., age 13, via
Jenna, great observation!
This is a pricing strategy that retailers use. It’s based on the fact that we read from right to left. Your brain perceives the number 4 as less than 5, which it is. So we’re thinkin’ we’re getting a heck of a deal!
Of course, saving a penny is saving a penny, so our brain reads .99 as a “sale” price. Thanks for your email! — Heloise
Dear Heloise:
If there’s one piece of advice I could give others who work from home on their computers, it would be this: Don’t leave open a bunch of tabs on your browser. Sure, you want to be able to refer back to subjects online, but so many open tabs is clutter. Use the tab and then close it. It works great for me and saves time and effort.
— Brandon B. in Texas