Use Your Brain And Save Your Wallet
While Labor Day began in 1882 as a celebration of the American workforce, nowadays its viewed chiefly as a paean to the end of summer. But while youre being tempted by all those Labor Day sales and events, consider that the fruits of your labors-those dollars in your wallet-come with a hefty price tag attached: hours and hours of your own hard efforts.
Use Your Brain And Save Your Wallet
While Labor Day began in 1882 as a celebration of the American workforce, nowadays its viewed chiefly as a paean to the end of summer. But while youre being tempted by all those Labor Day sales and events, consider that the fruits of your labors-those dollars in your wallet-come with a hefty price tag attached: hours and hours of your own hard efforts.
So wouldnt it be wise to use your brain instead of your brawn to make the most of that hard-earned money? Buying smart is one of the best ways available to stretch your finances," says Art Beroff, coauthor of The Bargain Hunters & Smart Consumers Field Guide (Avebury Books 2003, available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com), especially as the fall season-with all those electronics sales-looms near. Beroff offers these bargain-hunting tips:
· Dont be afraid to ask for a deal. From small merchants to major chains, retailers are generally surprisingly eager to haggle. If youre friendly, courteous, and honest, youll come away with a bargain more often than youd imagine. Sample opener: Im looking for a first computer for my grade-school son. Do you have any demos or returns that you can give me a good deal on?" (Note: Demos and returns usually come with full warranties; be sure to ask.)
· Dont get attached. If you stand there gazing lustfully at that big-screen TV, you lose your bargaining edge. The salesperson is not going to say, I see you love that television; why dont take $100 off it for you?" Go for nonchalance instead. Sample opener: I wouldnt mind having that TV but its over my price range. Is there anything you can do?"
· Do your homework and shop around. You cant know what is a good deal versus what isnt if you dont know the product and its average retail price. Before you go to actually purchase a big-ticket item, comparison-shop stores and brands for features and prices.
Bargain hunting is a terrific way to stretch your purchasing dollar and save time as well as money," Beroff says. Every dollar you save-or ten dollars or one hundred or one thousand dollars-by shopping smart is a dollar in your bank account you wouldnt otherwise have, a dollar youd have to spend extra time and effort to earn (and then pay income tax on)."
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For more information on The Bargain Hunters & Smart Consumers Field Guide: How To Buy Almost Anything For Next To Nothing! call TC Boodman at (850) 636-4006 or visit http://www.aveburybooks.com.
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