blockhead's Blog
Category Finance:Personal-Finance
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Most people get a little shy when it comes to bargaining for a good price on something. Those that are good at it get great deals on everything and save tons of money in the process. There are benefits to learning how to bargain. Society seems to give the idea that it isn't nice to negotiate. It feels like asking for a lower price says that you can't afford to pay the full price. Or that you are being rude. Many people think that you can ask for a lower price at a garage sell, flea market or car lot, but not anywhere else. Bargaining is a great way to get a good price. Prices are always up for negotiation. That's why they are often called the 'suggested retail price'. Whenever you purchase an item from a store or a service from a business, you are entering into a business transaction. You have the right to negotiate for the best terms when it comes to how much you pay. If the sales price isn't acceptable to you, you can try to change the terms by bargaining. First, you must be prepared to lose, which you will do a lot. Keep your attitude polite and friendly. Remember, you want someone to do something for you. You have to be nice. You probably won't be able to walk into a department store and get 50% off on a new camcorder. But if you find one you like that has a minor flaw, such as a scratch, you should ask to talk with the manager about the pricing. You'll find that most locally owned stores will bargain with you if you are polite and reasonable. Don't automatically ask for 50% off, but if you ask for a 15% or 20% discount on a damaged item, you will probably succeed. Use your status as a senior citizen, student or organizational member to receive a discount. If you are buying more than one large item from a store, ask for a discount based on buying multiple products. When I purchased a new stove, fridge and dishwasher for my kitchen, I requested a discount and received it. It helped that I am a good customer that buys all of my appliances through the store in question. When you wish to bargain with a manager or store owner, be discreet. The person in charge doesn't want to advertise the deal. Be polite, charming and honest. Don't try to bargain when a store is busy. Wait until business is slow and sales people are looking to make a sale. Ask for a discount for paying in cash. Cash can talk quite loudly. Look for merchandise that has been in the store for a while. I've purchased floor displays for up to 40% off. Look for items without price tags. If it isn't marked, feel free to make an offer. Look over items carefully for damage or flaws. Make sure that items you purchase have cosmetic flaws only. For example, a scratch on the side of a refrigerator could be hidden against the wall of your kitchen. No one would ever know. You won't always find people willing to bargain with you. If they don't seem open, don't waste your time. You can always try again somewhere else. Martin Lukac, represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies! Visit http://www.RateEmpire.com today. by Martin Lukac
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Do you write checks for everything you buy? Are you a cash only type of person? or... Are you like me and you live and die by your
debit(debt)/check card? Regardless of the method you use to make your purchases, it
is important to not only know what was spent, but what was
purchased. When you can determine where your money is going
it helps to accomplish a few different tasks at one time. The first advantage to tracking your spending is that you
can visually see how much you are spending in a particular
category. What most people don't realize is that by knowing the exact
figure that is spent on a particular category will lead to
a subsconscious effort to control spending in that area. Secondly, by tracking your spending you can effectively set
up a savings plan that will help you to avoid financial
disasters. The saying 'Plan for the unexpected!' fits very
appropriately here. If you have savings, you can be ready in the event
something unexpected happens. (i.e. car breaks down, roof
collapses, you take ill, etc.) Tracking your expenditures will also lead to better money
management. You will know exactly where you stand
financially. This is very helpful in avoiding or reducing
overdraft fees and other associated bank fees. If your bank requires that you keep a minimum balance in
your checking account, *you* will know when you are
approaching that limit and can manage your money
accordingly. Lastly, tracking can lead to peace of mind. Meaning, if
done right, you can rest at ease knowing that you have a
strong grasp on your finances. Even if you are not debt free, by tracking your can create
a plan that will lead you out of debt and eliminate the
stress that goes along with it. These are just some of the advantages of tracking where
your money goes. Of course, for every one there may be even
additional advantages that we didn't mention here. Most
importantly is just doing it. If nothing else you can save
money, avoid costly fees and be prepared for just about any
financial disaster that may happen. Copyright? 2006 Mosiekk Conley is the editor of the 'Budget Secrets Newsletter' where he shares helpful tips and strategies for creating a successful budget!
http://www.setupafamilybudget.com/a/st.php?s=a by Mosiekk Conley  home, budget, personal, budget, household, budget, budgeting, setting, up, a, budget, tracking, expensesSorry, but the blog post could not be located.
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It?s tough to get by financially in today?s fast-paced life. With mortgages, car notes and massive amounts of credit card debt, most people struggle to get by from month to month. With most people doing what they can just to pay their bills, few people are prepared for the unlikely event of a financial disaster. They come in many forms; a storm like Hurricane Katrina, a loss of job, or a sudden illness can break anyone who isn?t prepared for an unexpected interruption in their financial life. But it isn?t all that difficult to make preparations that will help you in times of a money crisis. All it takes is a bit of planning ahead of time. Here are a few things that will help you be prepared for the unexpected: Get an ATM/Debit card ? You may not regularly use cash or have a need for a debit card, but there are some circumstances where it may be necessary. People from New Orleans who were temporarily displaced by Hurricane Katrina would have benefited from having access to cash even while away from home. If you don?t use one regularly, get one anyway and keep it in a safe place. Sign up for direct deposit ? With direct deposit, you will know that your paycheck will be in your bank account even if you cannot, for whatever reason, physically get to your bank. This will help you in the event of illness or natural disaster that may have your local bank temporarily closed. Sign up for online bill paying ? You can pay bills even if you aren?t at home via the Internet. You don?t have to use the service, but it may come in handy at a time when you least expect it. Save some emergency cash ? Financial experts recommend that you save at least three months? worth of financial expenses. That?s difficult, but every little bit can help. Try to cut back on a few unnecessary items, such as that tall latte you buy every day. It adds up, and you never know when you may need to access that emergency cash. Set up a home equity line of credit ? Unlike a home equity loan, which provides you with a lump sum of cash right away, a home equity line of credit provides you with cash that you can use a little at a time, and only when you need it. If you don?t actually take any money out, you don?t have monthly payments. But if an emergency strikes, you?ll have cash available. This can be particularly helpful if you find yourself out of work for a short period of time. Your bank won?t lend you money when you are out of work, so plan ahead of time and the money will be ready when you are. A little bit of planning can go a long way when a financial emergency strikes. If you plan for it now, you will have fewer worries later. ?Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation, credit counseling, payday loans and personal bankruptcy. He also may know something about The Debt Consolidator. by Charles Essmeier Debt, consolidation, debt, management, credit, counseling, bankruptcy, credit, cards, home, equity, loan, |
