More Bang For Your Buck

This tip may not work in the "big box" stores, but in any business where the owner is available, you can almost always get more for your money with these two tips.

TIP #1: When you buy something, always ask for something "extra" thrown in, but keep the value of that "extra" to less than 2% of the purchase you are making. In most cases, in order to make the sale, the owner will concede to some small item. Buying shoes? Get a free can of shoe polish. New car? Insist on a full-size spare and a tank of gas. Buying a house? Get the lawn tractor, a barn full of tools or even that boat out back. They may say "no", but more often than not you will get something extra. And over the course of a year, those "freebies" can add up to thousands of dollars.

Tip #2: When you get to the register at a store, pull out the plastic. But then hesitate. Remind the owner that the card company is going to charge him as much as 3-4% of the purchase price. Tell him you will pay cash if he will give you a discount. That way you both come out a little ahead. Small amounts, usually, but small amounts add up to big bucks over time.