Signs of the holiday season are here. Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are already in the stores. Retailers advertise big sales and deep discounts to lure you into their stores. Once you enter the stores and see 20%, 25 %, 60%, and even 75% off, adrenaline begins to flow as you shop for bargains. You find the perfect gift or bargain. Then, you wonder how much will I save? How much should I expect to pay at the register?

Generally, you do not have a calculator or pencil and paper in your hand. So, let’s look at a few ways to mentally calculate the discount and sale price.

First example: 20% off of $14.99 game
What is the discount or amount saved?

1) Round $14.99 to the nearest dollar --- $15.00
2) Calculate 10% of $15.00 by moving the decimal to the left once --- $1.50
3) Then double $1.50 to get 20% --- $3.00 discount or amount saved.

You will save $3.00.
4) To determine the approximate sale price – subtract the savings from the original price
$15.00 - $3.00 = $12.00


Second example: 25% off of $35.00 pants
What is the discount or amount saved?

1) Calculate 10% of $35.00 by moving the decimal to the left once --- $3.50
2) Then double $3.50 to get 20% --- $7.00
3) To calculate an additional 5%, take ½ of 3.5 --- $1.75 **see note
4) Add $7 and $1.75 --- $8.75 or round to $9.00 discount or amount saved.

You save ~ $9.00.
5) To determine the approximate sale price – subtract the savings from the original price
$35.00 - $9.00 = $26.00 approximate sale price

**If taking half of $3.50 is confusing, then round $3.50 to the nearest dollar. --- $4.00.
Take ½ of $4.00 ---$2.00 this is ~ 5% of $35.00
Add $2 and $7 --- $9.00 savings


Third example: 60% off of $80.00
What is the discount or amount saved?

Calculate 10% of $80.00 by moving the decimal to the left once --- $8.00 Then, think
10% --- $8.00
10% --- $8.00
10% --- $8.00
10% --- $8.00
10% --- $8.00
10% --- $8.00
------------------------
60% --- $48.00

In short, 10% of $80.00 is $8.00, therefore mentally multiply $8.00 times 6 to get $48.00 discount. Round to the nearest dollar --- $50.00

You save ~ $50.00.
To determine the approximate sale price – subtract the savings from the original price
$80.00 – $50.00 = $30.00 Buy it!


Fourth example: 75% off $130.00
What is the discount or amount saved?

1) Calculate 50% or half of $130.00 --- $65.00
2) Next determine 25% of $130.00 --- $32.50**
3) Add $32.50 and $65.00

Total discount or amount saved is 97.50 or ~ $100.00
4) To determine the approximate sale price – subtract the savings from the original price
$130.00 – $100.00 = $30.00 approximately
Buy it! Call and text your friends about the great sale.


**How does 25% of $130 equal $32.50?
Since, 50% or half of $130.00 --- $65.00 and 25% is half of 50%
Then 25% is half of $65.00 which is 32.50

or

Mentally calculate 10% of $130.00 by moving the decimal to the left once ---- $13.00
Add another 10% ---> $13.00
Add 5% by taking half of $13.00 ---- 6.50
Thus $13.00 + $13.00 + $6.50 = $32.50