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Since this forum is about Saving Advice, I thought I'd share a few ways I saved money in order to save money.
One was for a new washer and dryer. Ours was 20+ years old, and I was able to make the repairs myself. The issues at hand were reliability, followed closely by efficiency, and then quality of wash. Between repairs, we saved up enough to pay for a new set with cash. The haggling ensued in a tasteful manner, I asked for an additional 3% off since there weren't any merchant fees, got free delivery, and we got our new set. We saved about $200 between haggling and the 3%, and also qualified for 2 $100 gift cards thru a rebate (used for gas).
Another was for a bike last Christmas. I came in alone the second time and got the same guy who showed my son I a bike a few weeks earlier. He recognized me, and I asked if there were any sales. When he said no, I said I will pay cash if he could give me a break on the price. He lowered it 20% in the bat of an eye, and when I commented that it was lacking a kick stand, he threw one in for free.
Lastly, we needed a new dishwasher, since our 20 year old one was rusty inside and was on its last leg. Hit up the same store and same sales guy from the washer and dryer purchase a couple years earlier (and he remembered us), and played the same game: cash, waive the 3%, free delivery. Installed it myself in a couple hours.
Conclusion: Although credit is convenient, if it isn't pressing, consider saving cash for items like these. You'll have a few advantages in the negotiation if you remember the sales person and exercise the 3% rule. It's also "fun" to save as a family, because it gives you a goal. We found that a separate bank account is handy for partitioning the savings. Finally, there is absolutely no danger of missing a credit card payment.
One was for a new washer and dryer. Ours was 20+ years old, and I was able to make the repairs myself. The issues at hand were reliability, followed closely by efficiency, and then quality of wash. Between repairs, we saved up enough to pay for a new set with cash. The haggling ensued in a tasteful manner, I asked for an additional 3% off since there weren't any merchant fees, got free delivery, and we got our new set. We saved about $200 between haggling and the 3%, and also qualified for 2 $100 gift cards thru a rebate (used for gas).
Another was for a bike last Christmas. I came in alone the second time and got the same guy who showed my son I a bike a few weeks earlier. He recognized me, and I asked if there were any sales. When he said no, I said I will pay cash if he could give me a break on the price. He lowered it 20% in the bat of an eye, and when I commented that it was lacking a kick stand, he threw one in for free.
Lastly, we needed a new dishwasher, since our 20 year old one was rusty inside and was on its last leg. Hit up the same store and same sales guy from the washer and dryer purchase a couple years earlier (and he remembered us), and played the same game: cash, waive the 3%, free delivery. Installed it myself in a couple hours.
Conclusion: Although credit is convenient, if it isn't pressing, consider saving cash for items like these. You'll have a few advantages in the negotiation if you remember the sales person and exercise the 3% rule. It's also "fun" to save as a family, because it gives you a goal. We found that a separate bank account is handy for partitioning the savings. Finally, there is absolutely no danger of missing a credit card payment.
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