Melissa

Do you ever ask for a discount when making a purchase? 

Do you consider doing so a challenge that you happily take on, or an embarrassment?

There seem to be two types of people in this world–those who happily ask for a discount and those who would just as soon overpay than ask for a discount.

Which are you?

My mom loves to ask for a discount.

When I was a teenager and in my early 20s, I found this practice unbelievably embarrassing.  My mom, very social by nature, would chat up the salesman or cashier, and just before the transaction ended, she’d say, ever so sweetly, “I’d love to buy this, but what kind of discount can you give me?”

I saw her bargaining as begging, and it made me cringe.  Yet the strategy worked for her; she often walked away with a sizable discount.

Ironically, years later, I, too, often find myself bargaining.  Honestly, there’s no better way to save money, and I don’t mind hearing “no.”  I’m not afraid of a retailer’s rejection, and I’m ecstatic when I save money.

How to Haggle and Ask For a Discount

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After the recent governmental shut down, you may be feeling increasingly frustrated with our government. 

You may feel that you have no voice in politics and economic decisions.  Of course, you have the right to vote, but much of what the government does is largely out of your hands.

However, you can still take a stand and make your voice heard by voting with your dollars. 

Every day that you spend money, you’re making a choice and choosing one company over another, one product over another.

How you spend money is your voice, your vote.

Due to the economic law of supply and demand, if enough people show that they want better or different items, manufacturers will take notice.

For instance, “Making your next car a hybrid shows the automobile industry that you want more eco-friendly, fuel efficient vehicles, which in turn forces them to produce more.  Buying organic foods show that you care about our groundwater and the chemicals you are consuming.  Using reusable grocery bags demonstrates that you don’t want millions of plastic bags ending up in our oceans and landfills.  Buying products from corporations who are using methods to improve their environmental footprint helps their bottom line which shows their competition this is something important and forces everyone in their industry to raise the bar” (AG Beat).

How Are You Voting With Your Dollars?

[Read more…] about You Have Power In Your Wallet – Vote With Your Dollars: Change Businesses Based on Your Purchases