Do you spend more at fast-food restaurants than you want to? Consider this

The prices of fast-food items person been rising steadily implicit the years — and immoderate restaurants usage a method that entices radical to wage much than possibly they were readying to, a psychotherapist told Fox News Digital. 

The alleged "charm pricing" method is wherefore galore menu items are not priced astatine afloat dollar amounts, Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital.

"Our brains process numbers rapidly and often emotionally, particularly during purchasing decisions," Alpert said.

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When an point is priced astatine $9.99, "our minds latch onto the '9' arsenic the anchor, associating it with a smaller cost, adjacent if logically we cognize it's adjacent to $10," helium said. 

This is called the "left-digit effect," according to the food and civilization website The Takeout. 

Some retailers terms items ending with "99 cents" to promote radical to walk much money, a psychotherapist said.  (iStock)

"This tin instrumentality you into feeling similar an point is little expensive," according to The Takeout. 

"If you're buying 3 items priced astatine $5.99, your encephalon mightiness instantly presume the full is $15, erstwhile successful actuality it's person to $18."

It added that radical whitethorn consciousness they're "getting a bargain oregon a deal." 

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Aside from this "charm pricing," restaurants try different ways to get radical to walk much wealth than they planned, Alpert said.  

These see offering an "appealing paper plan oregon descriptive connection that makes the acquisition consciousness much worthwhile and indulgent," helium said. 

People whitethorn consciousness they're "getting a bargain oregon a deal" erstwhile they're not.  (iStock)

Fox News Digital reached retired to the National Restaurant Association, which declined to comment.

Fox News Digital besides reached retired to respective fast-food chains seeking comment.

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Alpert noted that determination are ways to combat the unit to overspend.

"A adjuvant extremity is to ever circular up," helium said. "When you spot $9.99, deliberation of it arsenic $10."

"Developing mindful spending habits tin assistance you defy intelligence tricks and marque choices that align with your goals," said an expert. (iStock)

Doing this, helium said, "can trim the affectional interaction of charm pricing and assistance you marque much rational decisions."

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Another method is to deliberation done purchases cautiously and marque a determination to walk little impulsively. 

Think done purchases cautiously and marque a determination to walk little impulsively, an adept advised.  (iStock)

"Pause and inquire yourself if the point is truly worthy the outgo oregon if you're being swayed by however it's presented," Alpert said.

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"Developing mindful spending habits tin assistance you defy intelligence tricks and marque choices that align with your goals," helium besides said.