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Saving Categories:
Airlines
Banking
Buying a car
Clothing
Energy
Entertainment
Fees
Furniture
Gas
General Shopping
Gift Giving
Household
Insurance
Internet
Prescriptions
Phones
Raising Money
Vacation
Water
Warranties
How to Negotiate
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Once you have conducted a thorough analysis of your
financial situation you will have a good understanding of how much money you
have to spend on all the things you listed in your budget. You may have
discovered that in order to live within your means you are going to have to
find good ways to
save money in order to get more for your money. This page is loaded with ideas on
how to make that happen. It certainly is not an all inclusive page; you can
use it as a starting point and customize it to your own needs.
Part of your financial plan should be to take time to deeply look at every
one of your expenditures and investigate good ways to save and reduce, replace, or
eliminate that expense. Once an amount of money is budgeted for an expense
the next task is to find ways to stretch those dollars as far as possible.
If you look hard enough you will often find you don't have to give something
up but can accomplish the same things through out of the ordinary and
sometimes unusual means.
Feel free to use these ideas based on my own list and be sure to add new
ideas to it that fit your specific situation.
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AIRLINES
Airfarewatchdog.com is one of my favorite sites for fantastic up to
the minute deals on air fare.
BANKING
| *ELIMINATE DEBIT FEES, MAC CARD
FEES, ALWAYS PAY WITH THE CREDIT OPTION AT COUNTER |
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1)
IN YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT. WHEN YOU WRITE A CHECK FOR $10.59, FOR EXAMPLE,
ENTER THE CHECK AMOUNT AT $11.00 IN YOUR CHECKING REGISTER.
YOU WILL HAVE AN EXTRA 41 CENTS IN YOUR ACCOUNT. IF YOU CONTINUE
TO DO THAT OVER TIME YOU WILL HAVE TURNED A FEW CENTS HERE AND
THERE INTO A NICE CHUNK OF CASH. YOU CAN ALWAYS VERIFY ACTUAL
CHECK AMOUNTS ON YOUR BANK STATEMENT OR ONLINE. |
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2) WHEN PAYING YOUR
MORTGAGE. WHEN WRITING OUT A PAYMENT FOR MY MORTGAGE, INSTEAD OF WRITING THE
CHECK FOR $398.28, FOR EXAMPLE, I WRITE THE CHECK FOR $400.00. I MARK ON
MY CHECK TO APPLY THIS EXTRA SPARE CHANGE TOWARD THE PRINCIPAL OF THE
LOAN. 3) WHERE ELSE CAN
YOU ROUND UP? |
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"CURRENT" VS. "AVAILABLE" FUNDS
When you check your account online
or at the ATM, it often shows two separate figures, the current balance and
the available balance. If you start the day with $100 and buy $50 in
groceries with your check card, the store's bank notifies your bank that a
$50 purchase is coming through, and it takes your available balance down to
$50, even though it shows that you still "currently" have $100.
MANAGE YOUR TRANSACTIONS!
A recent study by the Center for
Responsible Lending found that more than 46 percent of overdraft fees were
triggered by debit card use, which underscores the importance of knowing how
your bank reconciles your account. It may seem obvious, but you should hang
on to every debit card receipt and make sure to log it into your register at
least daily to keep your account up to date.
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105929/5-Secrets-to-Smart-Debit-Card-Use
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CLOTHING
*ELIMINATE DRY CLEANING COSTS. BUY
WRINKLE FREE CLOTHING. LEARN TO IRON!
*MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF LAUNDRY
DETERGENT YOU USE EVERY TIME
*DON’T THROW AWAY OLD CLOTHES. GIVE
THEM TO A CHARITY. YOUR DONATION IS CASH SAVING TAX
DEDUCTION.
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ENERGY
*TIME YOUR GAS AND ELECTRIC USAGE USE TIMING DEVICES TO
MANAGE UTILITY USAGE AROUND YOUR LIFESTYLE
*REASSESS SETTING ON HOT WATER TANK
- IF YOU FIND YOURSELF HAVING TO USE COLD WATER TO BALANCE
THE HOT WATER BECAUSE IT IS TOO HOT THEN TURN THE WATER TANK
DOWN YOU WILL USE 5-10% LESS
ENERGY FOR EVERY 10 DEGREES COOLER THE TANK IS.
*BE SURE TO USE A THERMOSTAT WITH A
TIMER OR AT THE LEAST TURN IT DOWN BEFORE BED AND RIGHT
BEFORE YOU LEAVE BY 2-4 DEGREES
* SAVE HEATING COSTS USING
YOUR CEILING FANS
http://www.dansfancity.com/techhelp/wntrsmmr.htm
IN SUMMER
THE FAN SHOULD BE TURNING COUNTER CLOCK WISE
IN THE
WINTER THE FAN SHOULD BE TURNING CLOCK WISE (WHILE LOOKING UP)
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*COUNT THE NUMBER OF LIGHT BULBS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOME AND REDUCE THEM BY 1/3. FOR
FIXTURES THAT TAKE 2 OR MORE BULBS TAKE ONE OF THEM OUT.
(According to the Energy Dept., lighting accounts for
one-fifth of U.S. energy consumption and some $37 billion spent annually by
businesses and consumers.)
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs
have become popular as a way to save energy and money. However, many
consumers have been reluctant to use them because of uncertainty in how to
dispose of them properly. Recently, Home Depot announced it will recycle CFL
bulbs for free at all of its nearly 2,000 stores.
*FIND WATER LEAKS INSIDE AND
OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE. REPAIR THEM.
*PLACE AN INSULATING WRAP THE WATER
HEATER.
*FIND SMALL EVERYDAY WAYS TO SAVE:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/news/20-free-ways-to-save-energy-9-06/overview/20-free-ways-to-save-energy_ov.htm
http://www.pnm.com/customers/99_ways.htm
*USE DRYER BALLS OR OLD SHOE IN
DRYER
*WASH LAUNDRY WITH COLD WATER MORE
OFTEN.
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ENTERTAINMENT / GOING OUT
*BUY AN ENTERTAINMENT BOOK / SPLIT
THE COST WITH A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER
*STOCK UP ON RESTAURANT GIFT
CERTIFICATES / MOVIE CARDS AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN THEY GIVE YOU
BONUS MONEY
*FINDING ALTERNATIVES: CABLE VS.
NETFLIX, RENTING MOVIE FROM ON DEMAND VS GOING TO MOVIE,
TAKING OWN SNACKS INTO THE MOVIE
*EAT DESERT AT HOME
*FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU
CAN HAVE A COOKOUT AT HOME ON THE GRILL FOR 4 PEOPLE
VERSUS GOING OUT FOR A STEAK DINNER FOR TWO PEOPLE
*BOWLING ALLEYS WILL OFTEN RUN
SPECIALS IN THE SUMMER TIME IN ORDER TO DRAW IN MORE CUSTOMERS. MORE PEOPLE
BOWL DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE IT IS TOO COLD OUTSIDE! A BOWLING ALLEY WHERE
I LIVE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
FUNFEST BOWLING
RUNS A 10 GAMES FOR
$10.00 SPECIAL DURING THE SUMMER. THE REGULAR PRICE IS $5.95.
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FEES
*FIND OUT IF THERE IS A FEE TO USE
YOUR DEBIT CARD WHEN MAKING PURCHASES
*BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR COMPANIES
THAT PAD YOUR FINAL PRICE WITH FEES THAT SAVE THEIR MARGIN. THAT MEANS THAT
THEY GIVE YOU A BETTER DEAL ON THE PURCHASE BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY A “FINDERS
FEE, DELIVERY FEE, PICK UP FEE, DESTINATION CHARGE, HANDLING FEE, DISPOSAL
FEE OR SOME OTHER FEE IN ADDITION TO THE PURCHASE PRICE. THE COMPANY DOES
THAT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO STILL MAKE THEIR PREDETERMINED MARGIN ON THE SALE
(THEIR MARKUP) BUT ENTICE YOU TO BUY WITH THE LOWER PRODUCT PRICE. THE FINAL
PRICE ENDS UP BEING NO REAL DEAL.
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FURNITURE
*MAKE SURE YOU GET A COMMITMENT
FROM THE SALESPERSON IN WRITING THAT IF THE STORE OFFERS A
BETTER PRICE ON YOUR FURNITURE IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS THEY WILL GIVE YOU
THE DIFFERENCE IN CASH.
*THE MARKUP ON FURNITURE IS A
WHOPPING 50%. KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU ASK THE SALESPERSON TO DO BETTER ON
THE PRICE.
*LIKE ON CARS, THE "MANUFACTURER
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE" IS NOTHING MORE THAN A DECEITFUL WAY TO LURE
UNSUSPECTING SHOPPERS INTO BELIEVING THAT THE NICE SALESMAN IS GIVING THEM A
GREAT DEAL. ALSO, THE "COMPARE TO" PRICE LISTED IS A LIE. DEMAND TO SEE THE
DOCUMENTATION THEY HAVE TO BACK UP THIS "COMPARE TO" PRICE. THEY WONT HAVE
IT. IF YOU WANT AN HONEST PRICE COMPARISON YOU WILL HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF.
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GENERAL SHOPPING
*USE THE INTERNET:
-PART OF YOUR PERSONAL
FINANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS TO BOOKMARK
YOUR FAVORITE SHOPPING SITES.
-KEEP A FOLDER OF
SHOPPING COMPARISON SITES IN YOUR BOOKMARKS
-WHEN SHOPPING CLICK ON
"OPEN IN TABS" AND ALL YOUR COMPARISON SITES WILL
OPEN
-COPY AND PASTE YOUR
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION INTO THE SEARCH BOX OF EVERY SITE
-TOGGLE BACK AND FORTH
ON YOUR SCREEN FOR FASTER LOOK AT THE
COMPARISONS VERSUS LOOKING AT ONE SITE AT A TIME
*JUSTIFY THE PURCHASE - PURCHASE
THE ITEM THAT NOT ONLY FILLS THE NEED YOU ARE HAVE BUT ALSO
GIVES YOU BONUSES BY SERVING ADDITIONAL USES.
*WHEN YOU BUY ONLINE DOES IT MAKE
SENSE TO PICK UP THE PURCHASE AT THE STORE IF YOU PASS THE
STORE SAVE THE SHIPPING FEE.
*BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY INTERNET
PURCHASE
GO TO
RETAILMENOT.COM
AND SEARCH FOR AN ONLINE COUPON; ALSO LOOK AT
FREESHIPPING.ORG
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*DURING SHOPPING TRIPS BE SURE TO
TAKE A NOTEPAD, PEN, AND CALCULATOR. RECORD PRICES OF ITEMS THAT
YOU TYPICALLY BUY. THOSE NOTES CAN BE ADDED TO YOUR "BARGAIN HUNTING"
SPREADSHEET.
*DON’T FORGET TO LOOK ON
EBAY
- VERIFY A PARTICULAR
SELLER’S CREDIBILITY THROUGH THEIR RATING.
*FINALLY, BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY
PURCHASE OVER $50.00:
1) YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT
IS AND IS NOT A GOOD PRICE FOR THAT ITEM...... YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN
DOING YOUR RESEARCH AND HAVE BEEN RECORDING PREVIOUS SALES PRICES AND DEALS.
2) YOU HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE MOST APPROPRIATE
HOLIDAY
3) NEXT YOU HAVE COMPARED YOUR PURCHASE ON ALL THESE
SITES:
EBAY,
YAHOO SHOPPING,
SHOPZILLA.COM
4) IF YOU ARE GOING TO PURCHASE ONLINE BE SURE
TO REVIEW THESE SITES FIRST FOR BETTER DEALS:
EBATES.COM,
RETAILMENOT.COM,
FREESHIPPING.ORG
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GIFT
GIVING
*MOST PEOPLE CAN USE AND WOULD
APPRECIATE A UTILITARIAN GIFT. (MAYBE NOT YOUR WIFE ALL THE TIME)
THOSE ARE GIFTS THAT SERVE A USEFUL, VALUABLE PURPOSE IN ADDITION TO SERVING
AS A GIFT.
IT ALSO SAVES THEM THE EXPENSE OF HAVING TO BUY THAT ITEM. (DISHES FOR
EXAMPLE)
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HOUSEHOLD
*WASH THE CAR AT HOME NOT THE CAR
WASH
*SAVE THE INSTRUCTION MANUALS,
RECEIPTS, AND WARRANTY INFORMATION
FROM ALL BIGGER
PURCHASES
-THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO
FIX MINOR PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN WITH OUT A REPAIRMAN
-IF THERE IS A
BREAKDOWN THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY YOU WILL HAVE EASY
ACCESS TO THE RECORDS
YOU NEED IN ORDER TO GET YOUR WARRANTY FULFILLED
*LOOK FOR MAINTENANCE PET MEDICINES
ONLINE RATHER THAN PAYING RETAIL
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INSURANCE
*USE THE INTERNET TO DETERMINE IF
YOU ARE GETTING THE MOST COMPETITIVE RATE
*IF YOU ARE INSURING MORE THAN ONE
ITEM BE SURE YOU ARE GETTING A MULTI
POLICY DISCOUNT!
EXAMPLE: YOU INSURE BOTH HOME AND CAR
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INTERNET SERVICE
*USE THE LIBRARY IN LIEU OF PAYING
FOR INTERNET SERVICE, VIDEOS, BOOKS, AND MAGAZINES
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PRESCRIPTIONS
*MANY PHARMACIES COMPETE
HARD FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION BUSINESS AND WILL MAKE FANTASTIC OFFERS IN ORDER
TO LURE YOU AWAY FROM THEIR COMPETITORS.
LOOK ON THEIR WEBSITES AND IN THEIR CIRCULARS FOR DEALS. RECENTLY
WALGREENS
AND
RITE-AID
HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH OFFERING
GIFTS CARDS TO SWITCH OVER TO THEIR PHARMACY. RITE-AID JUST
GAVE ME $50.00 IN GIFT CARDS TO SWITCH MY PRESCRIPTIONS TO THEM.
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PHONES
*MONITOR THE TEXT MESSAGING GOING
ON IN YOUR FAMILY. ARE YOU ON AN UNLIMITED PLAN IF
APPROPRIATE?
ARE YOU PAYING FOR MORE MINUTES THAN YOU REALLY NEED?
*HOW MANY PHONES DO YOU REALLY
NEED? WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU REALLY NEED?
HOME PHONE, WORK CELL,
WORK DESK PHONE, HOME CELL, PHONES FOR KIDS
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RAISING MONEY
*CAN YOU HAVE A GARAGE SALE?
*OPTION FOR NOW: GIVE CLOTHES AND
OTHER HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO GOODWILL FOR A WRITE OFF
*WHAT CAN YOU SELL RIGHT NOW?
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VACATION
*ANYWHERE YOU GO FOR VACATION
SHOULD HAVE A PURPOSE THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO RUNNING YOUR HOBBY BASED SMALL
BUSINESS. THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DEDUCT MANY OF THE EXPENSES YOU INCUR ON
YOUR VACATION.
*SHOP FOR THE MAJORITY OF YOUR MEALS AT A
GROCERY STORE INSTEAD OF A RESTAURANT.
*CALL HOTELS DIRECTLY AND ASK FOR THEIR
PRICE. ASK THEM TO BEAT THE ONLINE PRICE.
EXAMPLE: YOU SELL STAR TREK
MEMORABILIA ON EBAY. YOU FLY TO LAS VEGAS TO ATTEND THE STAR TREK
CONVENTION. TYPICALLY, YOU GO FOR FUN. HOWEVER, THIS YEAR YOU ARE GOING SO
THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY PURCHASE NEW ITEMS TO SELL ON EBAY. THIS IS NO LONGER
JUST A VACATION SINCE YOU WILL BE WORKING THERE. (OF COURSE, YOU WILL STILL
HAVE FUN!) THE COST OF YOUR TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, AND LODGING ARE JUST SOME
OF THE COSTS THAT ARE NOW BUSINESS TAX DEDUCTIONS.
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WATER
According to a recent
study by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF):
Ø
In households not
using water-efficient fixtures, toilets used the most water on a daily basis
(20.1 gallons per person per day). Clothes washers were the second largest
water users (15 gallons per person per day) and showers were third (13.3
gallons per person day).
Ø
In households that
did use water-efficient fixtures, clothes washers assume the role of top
water user (15 gallons per person per day), followed by faucets (10.9
gallons per person per day), showers (10 gallons per person per day), and
toilets (9.6 gallons per person per day).
Toilet manufacturers now must follow a
federal mandate to make toilets using no more than 1.6 gallons of water per
flush.
Source:
http://www.oca.state.pa.us/information_links/ConsumerTips/2004/August_2004.htm
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WARRANTIES
*DOUBLE
YOUR WARRANTY FOR FREE:
OFTEN TIMES THE ISSUERS OF MASTERCARD ACCOUNTS OFFER THE
PERK OF DOUBLING MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTIES IF YOU MAKE THE PURCHASE WITH
YOUR MASTERCARD. BE SURE TO SAVE 1) A COPY OF THE WARRANTY 2) COPY OF THE
RECEIPT 3) ANY PROOFS OF PURCHASE AND 4) A NOTE TO YOURSELF THAT YOU
PURCHASED WITH MASTERCARD NUMBER XXXX WHICH IS DOUBLING YOUR WARRANTY.
*WARRANTY ADD ONS ARE TYPICALLY A
WASTE OF MONEY. RETAILERS MAKE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON WARRANTIES
THEY SELL TO CONSUMERS THAT ARE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THE MANUFACTURERS
WARRANTY IS. SALESPEOPLE MAKE SO MUCH COMMISSION ON THESE WARRANTIES THAT
SOME STORES INSIST YOU TALK TO A MANAGER BEFORE THEY SELL YOU A PRODUCT
WITHOUT IT!
EXAMPLE: I WORKED VERY
CLOSELY WITH A THIRD PARTY WARRANTY COMPANY FOR YEARS. THEY SOLD THEIR
PRODUCT VERY CHEAP TO THE RETAILER. THE RETAILER SOLD IT FOR AN ENORMOUS
PROFIT. WHY WAS THE COST SO INEXPENSIVE TO THE RETAILER? THE WARRANTY
COMPANY HAD LOTS OF OPTIONS IN PLACE TO PREVENT A CONSUMER FROM GETTING A
FULL EXCHANGE ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FILE A
CLAIM. THE "CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE" WERE TRAINED TO FIND REASONS TO DENY
THE CLAIM. IF YOU GOT PAST THE INITIAL SCREENING PROCESS YOU HAD TO WORK ON
GETTING A REPAIR BEFORE A REPLACEMENT WAS DISCUSSED. MOST PEOPLE DROPPED
THEIR CLAIM AT THIS POINT BECAUSE GETTING REPLACEMENT PARTS AND SOMEONE TO
INSTALL THEM TOOK MONTHS WHILE THEY COULDN’T USE THEIR PRODUCT.
IF YOU WERE SOMEONE THAT NOW
MADE IT THROUGH THE FILING OF A CLAIM, THE SCREENING PROCESS, AND THEN THE
REPAIR PROCESS, YOU STILL WEREN'T QUALIFIED FOR A "FULL REPLACEMENT". YOU
WOULD GET A REPLACEMENT PIECE. IN MY PARTICULAR INDUSTRY (FURNITURE) THAT
COULD MEAN YOUR FINAL PRODUCT COULD LOOK MISMATCHED BECAUSE THE NEW PIECE
LOOKED NEW AND THE REST OF THE PRODUCT LOOKED FADED.
IT IS BETTER TO HAVE DONE YOUR
HOMEWORK IN ADVANCE AND BUY A QUALITY PRODUCT THAT COMES WITH A STRONG
MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, HAS A DOCUMENTED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, AND IS
SOLD BY A TRUSTWORTHY RETAILER.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
REFER TO YOUR BARGAIN HUNTING SHEET
AND MARK IT ACCORDINGLY.
WEEKLY:
FOR ITEMS LISTED UNDER “REGULAR
ITEMS OVER $7.00”
REFER TO YOUR BOOKMARKS AND / OR
YOUR USUAL WEEKLY ADS. SEARCH FOR DEALS ON YOUR REGULAR ITEMS, ESPECIALLY
THOSE OVER $7.00.
MONTHLY:
REFER TO RETAILERS REBATES OFFERS.
MANY RETAILERS OFFER SPECIAL REBATES ON MANY ITEMS EACH MONTH. LOOK AT
WALGREENS AND
RITE AID’S WEBSITES FOR EXAMPLE.
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HOLIDAYS:
FOR ITEMS LISTED UNDER "VERY LARGE
ITEMS"
REFER TO ONLINE AND PRINTED ADS
BLACK FRIDAY
CYBER MONDAY THANKSGIVING JULY 4
VALENTINES DAY
FATHERS DAY MOTHERS DAY
LABOR DAY
MEMORIAL DAY
Always ask for a discount. Always ask for a price guarantee. If this is
cheaper next week will they give you the difference? If you must make a
purchase right now but believe the product could be cheaper somewhere else
or later on then just buy enough to get by on. Get at least two estimates
before purchasing. You should have at least thought of one alternative to
this purchase before buying. Do you want this or do you need this? For
example: instead of replacing it can you fix it? Can you get that book at
the library? Can I get a better quality rating for the same money? Can you
rent that movie? Can I combine expenses to lower costs? Can I make this
expense tax deductible? Don’t hesitate to ask questions, demand more and
better, and look for new ways to save!
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NEGOTIATING
NEGOTIATING FOR A BETTER VALUE IS PART OF IMPROVING YOUR FINANCIAL
SITUATION. ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FINANCIALLY FOR
YOURSELF IS TURNING EACH $1.00 THAT COMES YOUR WAY INTO $1.25 OR MORE. TOO
MANY PEOPLE SHY AWAY FROM NEGOTIATING BECAUSE OF THEIR FEAR OF REJECTION.
THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WILL HURT TOO MUCH TO HEAR "NO" IF THEY ASK FOR BETTER.
I HAVE SOME NEWS FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE NOT ASKING FOR A BETTER DEAL YOU ARE
"HEARING" NO A LOT MORE OFTEN THEN YOU REALIZE. EVERY TIME YOU PAID FULL
PRICE OR MORE YOU GOT A "NO" FROM THE SELLER. "NO, THERE IS NO BETTER FOR
YOU".
Asking for more does not have to be confrontational. First, be prepared. Do
some homework before you purchase. Is there a better deal out there? If
there is you have even less of an excuse to not ask for a better deal.
In order to get into the habit of asking for a discount set yourself up for
some easy wins. Some things would be very hard to negotiate, like the price
of cereal at your grocery store. However, think of some scenarios where
negotiation isn't questioned, it is expected? Buying a car usually comes to
mind first. Almost everyone expects to have to negotiate with a car
salesperson; some people even bring a friend who is "better at
negotiations"! Anytime you see these key words you should be asking for a
discount: sale, discount, discontinued, clearance, refurbished, used, good
as new, last one, last days, going out of business. My favorite is the easy
one: make offer.
Try greasing the negotiating wheels with a statement like this "Would you
give me a discount if I (buy two) (come in early) (take the last one)?". The
fact that you are willing to give up something as well can put a little more
pressure on a seller to also make an accommodation for the sake of the sale.
Paying cash is often a reason to ask for a discount as well. Financing costs
sellers. They offer it because unfortunately that is how many people make
their purchases. However, finance companies, like the credit card companies,
want a cut of the sale. If you pay cash the seller doesn't have to pay that
fee. That fee could be taken off of your purchase price. Waiving financing
and paying cash could be worth up to a 3% discount.
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SOME
IDEAS ON THE BEST TIME TO NEGOTIATE:
CAR: NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER (DECEMBER 31)
TVS AND HOME THEATRE: WEEK BEFORE SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
WEEKEND GETAWAY / VACATION: BTW THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS
JEWELRY: MONDAY MORNING IN THE SUMMER: YOU WILL BE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE STORE
CLOTHES: JANUARY 31 AND AUGUST 31: CLEARING INVENTORY
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