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5 Things You Should Always Negotiate

People today don’t seem to have the haggling skills of past generations. More and more consumers are content to pay sticker price or MSRP on everything they buy. Perhaps it’s lazy shopping, or maybe shyness is plaguing our society. Whatever the case may be, it’s time you started learning to negotiate for your purchases again. There are 5 things in particular that you should always negotiate.

The Price of a Car

More negotiations happen at car dealerships every day than at any other kind of business. Cars are very expensive, and a purchase like this is an investment of thousands of dollars and years of monthly payments. Salespeople at the car dealership will typically offer flexibility in payment plans, but don’t forget to negotiate the total price of the car. Your salesperson would rather trim the price of a car on the lot than risk missing out on a sale.

Mortgage Rates

If you ever find yourself on the real estate market, looking for a new home, be sure to take some extra time to find the best rates on a mortgage. If you have a good credit rating, you should be able to haggle for a lower APR. You may also be able to negotiate the elimination of processing charges and closing fees. These may not seem significant compared to the price of a house, but there is a potential for several thousand dollars in savings if you negotiate with mortgage lenders.

February 4, 2013

Travel & Entertainment

Is A Boat A Bad Investment?

There’s no denying that a boat is an expensive toy to own. And yet, when you think about getting out on the ocean, opening up the throttle, and feeling the wind in your hair, you might be tempted to purchase one. But whether you have been an avid boater all your life or you are a motoring enthusiast looking for a new hobby, there are a few things you need to think about before you sink thousands of dollars into a boat. First, there are all different kinds of boats, so you’ll need to consider whether a sailboat, a speed boat, a pontoon boat, or a yacht is more your speed (just for example). But even beyond that, there could be drawbacks to such a weighty investment. Is it really worth it or is it a bad place to put your money? Here are just a few things you’ll want to consider before you rush out and buy your captain’s hat and deck shoes.

Some boats, like a canoe, for example, are not terribly expensive. And if you get a lot of personal use out of them it’s well worth the money because of the use value (the more you use it the greater the value, on a cost-per-use basis). But if you’re dropping the same dough as you might on a Mercedes or even a Ferrari, you’re going to need to take a harder look at whether or not the boat you’re buying is going to deliver the use value you’re seeking. Now, if you have the money to waste, perhaps there’s nothing to stop you from making such a pricy purchase, even if it will only get infrequent use. But if you’re counting every penny, you’ll need to consider related costs, as well as the potential resale value when you gauge the relative soundness of the investment.

February 3, 2013

Family

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Baby?

A beautiful baby is something that many of us dream of having someday. And while it goes without saying that a bouncing baby boy or girl can bring so much to our lives, it would be totally irresponsible (plus, a bit delusional) of us to ignore the fact that while children are a worthwhile investment, they are also a pretty expensive one.

According to an article that was published in Forbes magazine in the summer of 2012, it would appear that a child, on average, costs $235,000 to raise and guess what? That’s before factoring in their college education. So, in preparing for a bundle of joy, what are some of the things that you need to have in place to make things less financially burdensome? We’re so glad that you asked:

A job. You would think that this one would be a no-brainer but the reality is that with the kind of economy that we (currently) have, a lot of individuals are struggling to make ends meet. It’s one thing for an adult to live off of Ramen noodles for a week. A baby needs a lot more than that. Therefore, steady income is an absolute must.

Health insurance. OK, who doesn’t groan at the thought of this particular topic? Even if you do have a full-time gig, your employer may not offer the best of benefits and if you are an at-home or contracted worker, it’s usually up to you to come up with your own insurance plan. A child needs a pediatrician. This means you need to have the means to pay for it. This means that you need some good health insurance.

February 3, 2013

Health & Beauty

Effective Beauty Treatments That Do Not Cost A Fortune

We all know that the pursuit of youth and beauty as we age can cost a pretty penny. First, advertisers create a beauty ideal that no one can live up to and then they sell us products that are supposed to make us look like the perfect, airbrushed models in their ads (who don’t even look that good in real life themselves). If I sound bitter, I think I might not be the only person out there who has become disillusioned with the beauty industry as a whole. And yet, what I have learned over time is that some of these products actually deliver what they promise (although to varying degrees). The trick is to find something that works and stick to it if possible, at least so long as your skin is responding. Fess up, ladies: even when you find something that works you’re still compelled to try other products (often with disastrous results). And further, you’re willing to spend way too much money in the process. However, there are ways to find effective beauty treatments that don’t cost a fortune. Here are a few options that will help you out.

For starters, you should always seek out samples of any products you want to try. By simply going to manufacturer websites or beauty counters you can often get trial size, or even full size bottles of the latest beauty treatments on the market. You might even get coupons to buy more should you decide you like the product. But another good idea is to read side-by-side reviews. These can help you to discover products that contain similar ingredients and offer nearly identical results, with the benefit that some are significantly less expensive than others. Just look at how the Olay Regenerist line has stacked up in blind tests – it nearly always comes out ahead of far pricier competitors. Reading user reviews may also be helpful, although you should take these with a grain of salt since women have a wide variety of skin woes and their reviews can be fairly subjective.

February 2, 2013

Health & Beauty

5 Tips To Help Yo Save Money On Medical Expenses

Regardless of how well you organize your life, how prepared you are for every contingency and how well maintained your finances, unexpected medical issues can arise and mess everything up. Medical problems are never pleasant, and obviously you need to focus on getting yourself well before worrying about the expenses. But at some point those bills will become due, and whether you have health insurance or not these costs could be just as crippling as the medical issue itself. Luckily there are ways to manage these bills and hopefully come out financially whole on the other side. Here are five tips to help you save money on medical expenses.

First off, consider negotiating with your doctor. Although you might never have thought about this before, the price your doctor’s office gives you isn’t set in stone. If you do not have health insurance there is even more leeway for pricing adjustments, as you will be paying the office directly. They don’t have to take the time to submit paperwork and wait for payment from the insurance provider. Make sure you mention your requirements to the nurse in charge when you book your appointment, and then take the time to sit with them and discuss possibilities before you pay in full.

February 2, 2013

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