Once, when shopping for a refrigerator, I asked why one group of appliances were discounted more than the advertised sale. The answer was they were scratch and dent items. I immediately stroked the refrigerator I wanted until I found a tiny dent at the lower edge near the back ... the salesman had to discount it also.

My father taught me the best bargaining strategy to use when buying a car - make an appointment with the Fleet Manager. They don't work on commission so they aren't inflating the price. I went in to buy my first car armed with the Dealer's Invoice pricing from Edmunds.com and met with the Fleet Manager and walked out with a car for only $100 over the Dealer's Invoice and much cheaper than the MSRP.

1) Know when to strike.
I used to think the weekly store circulars in my mailbox were a useless nuisance with blazing specials on cheese puffs and soda pop and other items my never uses. I put them straight in the recycle bin. In recent times of financial crunch, I thumbed through and found items I regularly purchase at my regular grocery store on sale for 50% less at a neighboring store. Produce was almost 80% cheaper at the local organic food store. With double coupon week in action and a deatiled list and plan in hand, I actually saved $88 on my last grocery trip. The same concept applies for after holiday and end-of-season sales, prior year car models and other items.

2) Don't be too proud to score a great deal.
All of the suits in my closet are $500 or more name brands, but I haven't paid more than $100 for any of them. Frequent discount stores, look for sales and make it the exception to buy anything that is NOT on sale. Don't be ashamed to walk into a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Many a room in my home has been furnished with great houseware items. Try to find a thrift store near the high rent districts in your area. I have found designer furniture from Kreiss and other makers that would cost thousands at retail offered at ridiculous prices, often under $50.

3) Realize that negotiation is about give and take. Sales people are much more inclined to whittle back if they don't feel like they're giving up a month's commission to give you a deal. For large purchases like automobiles or appliances, start with your wish list, and circle the features or inclusions you won't budge on. Be able to give a little on the rest to get what you want at your price.

4) Ask.
You can get deals at retail stores, restaurants, attraction and entertainment tickets, hotels/travel services and more just by posting the question. Ask how you could get the item at a lower price, if they have unadvertised sale items, industry, frequent shopper or other discount programs, if certain products are cheaper online, or when items are scheduled to go on sale. Many theaters, museums and galleries have certain shows or nights just for locals, children or other groups at discounted prices that will not be posted on Ticketmaster. Ask the manager if they know where unsold items go - to a local thrift store, wholesale or last-chance clearance merchant? You may be able to follow them to a more affordable destination. It is amazing how much you find out if you simply ask the question.

It's amazing how far a smile and a conversation will get you! I find that if you take the extra few minutes to learn someone's name, to learn one fact about them, and to share your story, chances are, they'll be much more likely to help.

For less expensive movie tickets, see if your movie ticket offers a cheaper rate for the shows before noon. Our local theater sells tickets for $4 everyday on new movies before noon.

I always negotiate the price of a hotel room. I learned to do this as a hurricane evacuee. Of course being an evacuee helped get discounted prices on rooms, but I learned that hotel prices are not set in stone. You can always ask if they can offer you a better price!

My dad was with me when I bought my first car, but after his stroke, I was on my own when I needed to buy my second one. I had just finished a training course on "How to Negotiate" so I put that knowledge to use at the car dealership. So I brought with me a cashier's check, made out to the dealership for $10,000, plunked it on the sales desk, and asked, "What would it take for me to leave this here with you today?"
Before you blaze down to the car dealership, though:
1) know exactly the make, model, and features of the car you want and stick to it
2) invest in the vehicle pricing service from AAA that will tell you the actual dealer invoice and any incentives - basically know the "bottom line" for the dealer
3) know how much your car payment will be ahead of time. A business calculator can figure this out for you.
4) get down to the real point of negotiation: how much over the dealer invoice you want to pay. Remember that you want the car, and the car dealer wants the commission.
5) be willing to walk away with your check.

My husband and I were recently shopping for a new refrigerator and we received some very helpful and accurate inside information. At most electronic and appliance stores, the floor models are usually sold at a discounted price when the model is discontinued or the newer model arrives. Also, many stores sell items that are without their original packaging at discounted prices. All of these items are almost always still covered under factory warranties and eligible for extended warranties. Appliances especially are great in these instances because water/gas lines are never hooked up for display purposes... so you are buying a fully functioning item that you usually only have to replace a light bulb or two. Also, in an effort to sell the appliance or electronic equipment, many stores will offer a gift card as incentive. The amount of the gift card can always be negotiated. Also, managers are always looking to clear inventory, especially at the end of the month. So its best if you can wait until the end of the month to make these large purchases. If you are able to find a floor model that you like, tell the manager that you will purchase the item if he will raise the gift card amount/offer free delivery/etc. Many managers are willing to negotiate if it will increase their numbers. We were able to get an additional water filter, free delivery and a $250 gift card that covered the extended warranty price! It can feel a bit uncomfortable to haggle, but the end result is well worth it! Happy bargain hunting!

Responding to the May 2007 article about home repairs and improvements, as a contractor's wife, I did not find the advice on how to lower a contractor's price (show him the 3-5 other estimates) to be beneficial. The most important thing is getting a recommendation on a contractor from someone who has used him, as well as the supply houses he uses. Because my husband spends a lot of time pouring over plans to come up with a fair price, he stays away from anyone who has not received a recommendation for him, or who is looking for the best price. It's just not worth his time. He is never the cheapest. He has also not ever in 20 years had a dissatisfied customer, believe it or not! And if you are having someone do a major renovation, personality may be almost everything, because you will be living together for months! The supply companies and subcontractors know who pays their bills on time, and who is easy to work with. Get recommendations from friends and look at the work they have had done. Ask your architect who they would use to build their house. And after you meet your prospective builders, go with your gut.

Buy used when ever possible. I frequent consigment shops, estate sales, garage sales and Salvation Army/Goodwill clothing stores. You can find wonderful bargins if you just take the time. Each Wednesday, our local Salvation Army sales in clothing for 50% off. I have found Tommy Bahama silk pants for $3, plus the price of altering at $20, I now have a pair of great pants that would have cost me $120 at the store. Most of our small kitchen appliances were also purchased th is way, we have had them for years. A toaster for $1, an alarm clock for 50 cents(had it for 20 years now), etc.