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Shopping

5 Tips For Negotiating The Cost Of A New Car

There are very few things that are as stressful and exciting all at the same time as buying a new car. It’s a huge investment, and there are so many ways for it to go wrong. But it’s something you’ve probably coveted for quite some time, and will now get to enjoy for years to come. Your car is your freedom, your ability to get to and from your job, your mobile entertainment and your status symbol. With everything rolled up in one you might be willing to pay any price for the vehicle that steals your heart. But wiser heads must prevail, as you’ll want to save as much money as humanly possible during the purchase. Of course the dealership is looking to get whatever they can from you, so you’ll have to come prepared if you don’t want to get fleeced. As long as you remain calm and think logically you’ll be fine. Here are five tips for negotiating the cost of a new car.

First off, do your research before you walk on the lot. Once you get to the dealership it’s very tough to leave without a car. You’ll be test driving the beauty you’ve had your eye on, and the salesperson is well trained to get you to pull the trigger that very day. So take the time to research the vehicle you’d like to buy well in advance. Understand how the various add-ons and special features shape the price. Also make sure you’ve looked at a number of different dealerships. You should know quite well what the car costs, and what deals you could get in other places in order to successfully negotiate.

February 25, 2013

Shopping

The Pros And Cons Of Buying From Daily Deal Websites

Everyone likes a good deal, which is probably why deal-of-the-day websites like Groupon, LivingSocial, Woot, and HauteLook have flourished over the last several years. Some offer daily deals on services in your geographic region, from restaurants and retail stores to local events, while others provide discounts on clothing, electronics, home goods, and pretty much anything you can imagine (there are all kinds of specialized DOTD sites for various industries). And if they’re virtually handing out free money for items you’d buy anyway, there’s no reason not to enjoy the massive savings these sites can provide. Of course, there could be a few flaws in the system, especially for people who can’t seem to pass up a deal, even if it’s not exactly in their wheelhouse. So before you sign up for DOTD sites, there are a few pros and cons you might want to consider.

On the upside, daily deal websites can offer you a ton of savings. Suppose you have a hubby at home who likes to buy the latest and greatest electronic gadgets. By signing up for a membership on Woot you can get deals on items like surround-sound speakers, crazy computer casings, noise-isolating ear buds, and allergen-reducing robot vacuums, just to name a few nifty products. By the by, Woot also has a DOTD spinoff for wine (so you can sip some discount vino while your spouse sets up his new electronics), as well as pages for tee shirts, home goods, sports, and more.

February 19, 2013

Shopping

5 Ways To Save Money On Household Essentials

If you’re in charge of the household budget, you may be constantly on the lookout for ways to cut back on the essential products you buy the most, not to mention big-ticket items that you purchase only infrequently. And whether you’re purchasing toilet paper, frozen pizza, or electronics, there are all kinds of ways to cut costs if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. Luckily, there are also tools and strategies that will help to streamline the process. Here are just a few money-saving tips that should truncate your spending.

Join a coupon club. If you simply don’t have the time to engage in hours of extreme couponing as though it were a full-time job, then you can get a little relief and a lot of savings by joining a local coupon club. Each member splits tasks like checking circulars, searching for manufacturer coupons online, and matching up deals for increased savings. You’ll realize the same savings as extreme couponers with only a fraction of the effort.

Double dip. One great way to save that many people overlook is through double dipping on coupons and discounts. For example, if you have a store coupon for an item that you purchase frequently, you might also look online for a manufacturer coupon that allows you to increase your savings. And if you manage to use them when the item is already on sale, you might end up walking away with a steal. It is for this reason that many couponers stockpile non-perishable items; they simply might not find such a good deal down the road.

February 17, 2013

Money Saving Tips

5 Tips For Furnishing A Home On A Limited Budget

Moving can be a pretty intense experience, but there are few things that are more exciting than moving into a brand new place for the very first time. When you get to finally start building your very own home, all the potential can be a little bit overwhelming. Unfortunately, so can the costs. It’s not cheap to come across all the things that you’re going to need to properly furnish your home, and these days, most of us aren’t exactly rolling around in extra money. If you’re trying to furnish your home on a budget, you’re definitely not alone. Given the behavior of the economy over the course of the last several years, a lot of individuals are still trying to live as frugally as possible. Thankfully, though, this means that everyone is trying harder and harder to come up with ways to do more while spending less. When it comes to furnishing your home, there are definitely a few solutions that can help you get what you need without breaking the bank. These tips will show you how to create your own proper living space without spending a small fortune in the process.

1. Utilize Craigslist. Craigslist might sound tried and true, but that’s because it works. Just about everyone uses Craigslist, or has used it at some point in the past. A resource likes this (and there are plenty of others online, as well) can help you to easily find great deals on used furniture that are right in your area. If you live in a relatively crowded or metropolitan space, you might even be able to find things just around the corner from where you live. Often, things can be found for free on a site like Craigslist, as well. It all depends on how patient you are and how diligently you search through those listings.

February 7, 2013

Shopping

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

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