Clipmarks | Perkalicious11's Bottom Line Secrets collection

How to Haggle Like a Pro

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:03:19 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: This makes me want to go out and try this stuff! Damn my shopaholic nature...

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

What you need to know to haggle successfully

There is room for negotiation in virtually every purchase

Good hagglers always carefully inspect items that they're interested in

it's a good idea to go to several places first to make price comparisons

check on-line to see what comparable merchandise sells for -- that's the price you want to beat

find out how much the dealer paid for the vehicle

HOW TO HAGGLE

Pretend to be only mildly interested

If you and the seller can't agree on the price of an item, ask the seller if he's got anything that he can throw in on the deal

Ask automobile dealers to throw in floor mats

with computer and stereo equipment, ask the seller for free cables and free installation

If you are willing to pay $100 for an item, offer $80 or even $60

Merchants lose about 2% when a credit card is used, so they may be willing to take a 2% bite if you pay cash

Politely point out any flaws in the merchandise

WHO BEST TO HAGGLE WITH

Small-town merchants

Jewelry stores

Car dealers

Banks

Chains

OBO

Tags: shopping, haggling, bargain, deals, price, tricks, tips, money

The Power of Charm: how to win anyone over

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:20:10 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: something to think about...

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

Greet everyone you meet as if he were very special. Do this with strangers and longtime acquaintances alike. If you can't muster the necessary enthusiasm naturally, tell yourself that each person you meet is a dear childhood friend whom you haven't seen in decades.

Be free with a "thank you."

Find something to admire. Compliment something about everyone you meet. Your compliments need not be about big things -- sometimes we score more points by noticing the little things that everyone else tends to overlook.

Praise people's efforts. Humans have an unquenchable need to be reassured that they are worthy of praise. If you feed this need in people, they will repeat whatever behavior earned them your praise, hoping that they will get more.

Pay attention. Listen to people

A heartfelt "thank you" lets people know that we appreciate what they've done, which boosts their faith in their own importance and competence. They feel better about themselves and then are drawn to us for making them feel that

Tags: charm, people skills, work, employment, self-help, self-improvement

Clean Your Car for Less

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:29:35 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: Surprising Ways to Remove Ice, Grease, Bird Droppings, More

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

ou don't need to spend a lot of money or time dealing with car-cleaning problems. Cheap and easy tricks that really work...

Foggy windshield. A thin coat of gel shaving cream applied to the interior of your windshield and other car windows can keep them from fogging up in the winter.

Grime-covered headlights. Combine one cup of white vinegar, one quart of water and one tablespoon of cornstarch. Use a sponge to apply the mixture to your headlights

Dirty windshield wipers. Wipe the blades with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol

Bumper stickers. Soak a cloth in white vinegar, then position the cloth so that it completely covers the sticker

Nicks and scratches. If your car dealer doesn't have touch-up paint for your car, crayons are the cheapest way to hide ugly nicks

Dead bugs.

old pair of panty hose in warm soapy water and gently scrub off the bugs

Bird droppings. Pour seltzer

Tree sap.

coat it with mayonnaise

Road tar.

Grease.

Baby wipes

Bad smells.

Put shallow bowls of white vinegar on the car's floor

Tags: cleaning, car, home remedy, clean, car care, solution, tips

I Might Need It One Day

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:26:48 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: by Peter Walsh
Clean Sweep
TLC’s home-makeover show

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

The most common excuses for not getting rid of clutter and how to move beyond them...

“I might need it one day”

“It’s too important to let go”

“It’s worth a lot of money”

“my house is too small”

“I don’t have time to get organized”

“It’s not the problem my spouse thinks it is”

“It’s not my stuff”

What to do: Establish a “one-in, one-out” routine.

What to do: Try to sell unused “valuables” on an on-line auction site, such as eBay, or through consignment stores. Recovering a portion of your costs will mitigate the psychological pain of getting rid of something expensive.

What to do: Think of getting organized as a way to save time.

What to do: Ask your spouse for his/her vision

What to do:

What to do: Consider where objects with “sentimental value” have been stored. If these things have spent years untouched in boxes in the attic or gathering dust in the back of a closet, they must not be as important as we think. Truly important possessions are kept in more prominent locations.

Tags: self-help, self-improvement, work, cleaning, organization, clutter, home

If You Must Eat Fast Food...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:53:35 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11

Clip Source: www.bottomlinesecrets.com

ven though most fast food is bad for your health because of its high-fat, high-calorie and high-salt content, there are ways to eat a relatively healthful meal at a fast-food restaurant -- if you know a few tricks.

TRAP 1. Chicken meals.

Chicken is frequently touted as a healthful alternative to beef -- but beware of the preparation method.

TRAP 2. Salad dressing.

The salad dressing used on a fast-food salad can add more calories than most people realize.

TRAP 3. Calories from cheese.

Solution: Order items from Taco Bell “fresco” style

TRAP 4. No vegetables.

OTHER DEFENSE STRATEGIES...

Downsize, don’t supersize.

order a child’s meal

Give up -- or cut back -- on soft drinks.

you can lose at least half a pound a week by simply drinking water, seltzer or unsweetened iced tea

Caution: Avoid diet soda. It can trigger sugar cravings.

OTHER SMART PICKS

Ruby Tuesday’s “Smart Eating” menu

P.F. Chang’s standard vegetarian menu

Applebee’s Teriyaki Steak ’n Shrimp Skewers with Rice Pilaf and Vegetables

Tags: food, diet, eating, health, lifestyle, ideas, portion