MARY HUNT: How to avoid retailers' spending schemes

I blame my suspicious nature on my neighborhood grocery store. The store used to be a logically arranged market with bright lights and clean floors — a basic, friendly, functional place to shop. Then the bulldozers morphed it into a big fancy supermarket complete with mood lighting and cushy chairs.

I'm no fool. I knew all of this effort was to one end: to get me to spend more of my hard-earned money. Take the "Three for $6!" special. Why not just say $2 each and drop the exclamation mark? Before I could wheel away, I had my answer: I saw several customers place three jars in their carts. That response was no accident. That is a simple example of how retailers use tricks to persuade consumers to buy more. Our defense? Educate ourselves.

Tactic: Beautiful ambience

Retailers know that as much as 70 percent of purchases are unplanned. They want you to linger as long as possible, so they create an atmosphere that is inviting. Outsmart it: Don't browse. True needs are not discovered while standing in a store aisle.

Tactic: Carpeting

Carpeting can help influence patterns of travel around a store. Carpeting subtly directs you deeper into the store by creating a defined path for you to follow. Outsmart it: Create your own path.

Tactic: Sale items

We get pulled in by the promise of a sale, but often those sale items aren't as desirable as we thought. But we've already mentally decided to buy, so often we buy something else. Outsmart it: Don't fall in love with the sale item until you've seen it.

Tactic: Strategically placed merchandise

Research shows that if you touch something, you're more likely to buy it. That's why stuffed animals and candy are within easy reach of children at the grocery checkout, and soft blankets or cozy sweaters are on low tables at a store's entrance. Outsmart it: Hands off. Don't touch the merchandise unless it's something you've planned to buy.

Tactic: Spacious carts

A cart frees you to touch more things. And more room in the cart means more things to buy. Outsmart it: Forget the cart.

Tactic: Cosmetics near shoes

Top purchases for female mall shoppers are cosmetics and shoes. Retailers know that while you're waiting to try on shoes, your eyes will wander. While at the cosmetics counter, the more mirrors available the more likely you'll be to buy. Why? Seeing your reflection reminds you just how much you need new lipstick. Outsmart it: Buy the shoes or the lipstick — but not both.