Why do you think sales and discounts have such a strong pull on us?

A natural way to answer

I think it taps into a sense of urgency. A discount makes us feel we're being clever with money, even when we're spending more than we planned. The retailers know exactly how to create that feeling, and we fall for it every time.

Key phrases to use

• pass up — to choose not to take an opportunity or offer“It was too good a deal to pass up.”
• fall for it — to be tricked or fooled by something“It's an obvious trick, but people still fall for it.”
• clouds your judgement — to stop you from thinking clearly or sensibly“Excitement can cloud your judgement.”
• reeled in — drawn in and persuaded, often cleverly, like a fish on a line“They reeled me in with a free trial.”