Asking for a discount isn’t tacky, it’s being financially savvy. You really have nothing to lose by asking for a discount. But in order to increase the chances of walking away with a better-than-advertised deal, follow these tips on how to negotiate a discount.
Big ticket items. When buying big ticket items your odds of getting a discount are great. You can almost always negotiate the price of a house, a car, HDTV or a wedding dress. But you won’t get anywhere asking for a $2 discount on $8 sunglasses. So target the larger items to get big savings.
Small stores. The smaller the store the better the chances of getting a discount. When you’re at a family owned business or some other small store, you’re likely going to be dealing with a decision maker. This person knows their profit margin and is more likely to give you the discount.
Can you afford to take that job? Can you afford to keep the one you have? What are your alternatives? Few people look at the cost of going to work, instead looking only at the paycheck at the end of the week.
Evaluating your current or new job should be part of the decision making process when preparing to accept a position. Letting your excitement about a new job interfere with logical thinking can cost you more than you think. Reviewing your employment costs is a crucial first step.
In times of financial crisis, many consumers find it necessary to use more credit to make ends meet. With an increase in credit use, it’s to be expected that there will be more complaints. In an effort to help consumers with their mortgages, credit cards and other financial issues, enforce federal finance laws and encourage responsible control of personal finances, the Federal Reserve has formed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The new agency is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and designed to consolidate consumer protection powers that were previously scattered among many federal agencies under one entity.
Conflicts in the workplace arise often, but if ignored can negatively affect the team, department and even the overall organization and their goals. Anytime a diverse group of people come together in a work setting there is bound to be conflict. However, differing views between coworkers can often result when:
People who are used to living paycheck to paycheck may have a hard time figuring out what to do with leftover cash once debts are finally paid. Instead of forking over $300 a month toward that auto loan, for example, you’re left with 300 extra dollars each month and are probably more tempted to blow it than save it.
Take time to congratulate yourself for paying off even one debt. Whether you use the excess money to pay down more debts or invest it in savings, feel good about your accomplishment.
Paying off any one debt can be a tremendous relief, but you shouldn’t feel like you can carelessly spend the extra cash you save from no longer having payments. Investing the extra cash flow doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t even have to research how to be an investor.
The importance of maintaining a high credit score is the number one way to secure a healthy financial future. What many people may not be aware of are the negative impacts that innocent actions can have on their score.
Two common errors that are pretty obvious are missing or making a late payment and carrying an excessive amount of debt. But there are other mistakes that you may not be aware you’re doing that adversely affect your credit score.
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