A store’s prices are not solely to reduce the weight of your wallet. In fact, stores use prices as a classification system, which can aid the smart consumer in even saving money. You’ve probably observed that prices end not only in .99, but also in seven or four. But why do stores use prices that are peculiar and seemingly insignificant?

As it happens, these prices are remarkable indicators of whether the item has been discounted or not. According to Time, stores as big as Target use prices that end in nine to suggest full price, whereas they use prices ending in four to suggest the price that has completely been marked down. In other words, if the item you want costs $15.94 — by all means — buy it. But for those with patience, something that costs $15.99 should be waited on until it is discounted.

Target is not the only store that uses the pricing system. You may also use this “cheat” in other major stores like Costco and Sears. For Carmel parents and students alike, being a smart consumer sometimes means beating the system.