Welcome to Money Monday With Jen

Each week Jennifer Constantineau brings a quick Money Monday tip to help you make your money work better for you. This week the topic is something that wealthy people do almost automatically and that most people never think to try. Not accepting the first price they are given.

What This Actually Looks Like in Practice

This is not about spending an entire weekend chasing a fifty-cent coupon. Jen does that too and she admits it freely. This is about asking a better question before you hand over your money on purchases that actually matter.

The questions that unlock discounts and savings most people never see are simpler than you might expect.

Is there a cash discount? Many businesses charge less when payment does not involve credit card processing fees and they will share that discount if you ask. Is there a fee that can be waived? Many subscription services, financial products, and service businesses have fees that are standard until a customer asks to have them removed. Do you offer price matching? Many retailers will match a competitor's price without advertising that policy. Is there a veteran, military, or senior discount? These programs exist at more businesses than most people realize and they are almost never announced prominently. What happens if I pay cash or pay upfront?

The common thread in all of these is that the companies offering lower-cost options are not standing on the roof announcing them. The discount exists. It is available. It is waiting for someone who asks.

The Challenge Worth Taking This Week

Pick one bill, one subscription, or one upcoming purchase and find out whether you can negotiate a better price. Before you make the call write down what you are currently paying. After the conversation write down the new amount. Seeing the actual dollar difference in writing is what makes the savings feel real rather than abstract.

Two important caveats from Jen. First, it only counts as savings if you actually keep the money. Negotiating fifty dollars off a bill and then spending seventy-five on something else because you found a great deal is not saving. That is how Hobby Lobby gets us. Second, if capturing the discount requires extra fees, unnecessary purchases, or three hours of your time it may not be worth it. The goal is money saved with minimal friction, not a complicated project that costs more than it returns.

What to Do This Week

Try it for seven days. Tell Jen what you negotiated and how much you saved. She would genuinely love to hear it.

Subscribe for a new Money Monday tip every week and let's make your money make sense. God bless.

Sources

NationalFoundationForCreditCounseling.org
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
Investopedia.com
BureauOfLaborStatistics.gov
BankRate.com