House, 2010). In today’s economy no one can afford to throw away money, particularly parents with growing kids and rising expenses. “Paying less for purchases gives you more money to do great things like paying down credit card debt, putting money aside for retirement, and funding your kids’ college,” she says.
Purchase Negotiating Tips Power for Parents By Malia Jacobson
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hat’s more fun than a new swingset, a new couch, or a brand-new set of wheels? Scoring those items and having cash left to spare, thanks to the power of negotiation.
“Yikes!” I can hear you think. “Negotiating? Asking for discounts? Maybe financial pros can do it, but I never could!” This knee-jerk reaction to bargaining is all too familiar to me, because the entire subject of negotiation used to make my knees weak. Then I became a stay-at-home mom, and I felt silly throwing away my family’s hard-earned cash by paying retail prices. So I gave myself a few pep talks and started small by asking for discounts on Craigslist purchases and car repair 18 SonomaFamilyLife
According to Dave Ramsey, author of The Total Money Makeover (Thomas Nelson, 2013), confident negotiators can save on everything—even pizza delivery! From car repairs to carpeting,
I saved enough to cover our family’s food bill for two years. vet bills to vacations, you can buy what you need and save thousands in the process, if you’re willing to ask. Keep these tactics in your pocket, and you’ll never be far from your next great deal.
bills. With each small negotiating win, my confidence grew. This year, I scored major discounts on a new home, carpeting, a minivan, and appliances. When I added up the total savings, my knees nearly buckled: I saved enough to cover our family’s food bill for two years. Now, that really makes me swoon.
Mind over matter. First, get over the misplaced fear of looking or feeling foolish. People all over the world use negotiating tactics every day without a second thought. It’s OK to feel scared, says Kay, but don’t let that feeling stop you: “Do it scared,” she says. “It may seem awkward at first, but it’s usually just the fear of the unknown. Remember that this is something you are doing to improve your family’s bottom line.” Keeping a big-picture perspective will give you the confidence to get started.
Why should you take the time to wrangle a better deal on that new bike or dishwasher? Because a lot is at stake, says Ellie Kay, author of The 60-Minute Money Workout (Random
Do your homework. Arrive prepared. The plethora of product information available online makes it a snap to find the essential facts about the product you’re after. Come
May 2020 www.sonomafamilylife.com
