Three Skills You Can Learn to Beat the Recession

When money is tight, consumers look for ways to save money at every opportunity. You have probably heard lots of advice designed to help you deal with the economic crunch, like clipping coupons, saving on gas expenses, and cutting back expenses. There are other highly effective ways to make every dollar last that involve learning new skills that will help you cope with an economic crisis. Once you have mastered some basic tools, you will find that saving money is easier and less stressful than you think. All it takes is a little willingness to step out of your comfort zone, do some leg work and practice your new techniques. Here are some of the tricks you can use to keep yourself out of hot water when troubled economic times head your way.

- Negotiate. When it comes to getting the most for your money, negotiation is a great strategy. Even in retail stores, where the perception may be that every priced is fixed and final, negotiation can be a beneficial way to get more for less. Ask a manager if any discounts, coupons, or specials are available. Let them know that you are a frequent, loyal customer. Have cash ready to pay for any purchases that you have negotiated. Remember, money talks!

- Compare. Taking half an hour to research the price of a product or service in several different markets from several different providers can save you a bundle. Check out the internet to find any other offers at a lower cost and print them to take with you when you are looking to purchase a product or service. If you find something priced much lower from a competing store and can prove it to a manager, they may be willing to match the price or at least give a discount in order to keep you from shopping at the store across the street.

- Barter. Instead of paying full price for the things you need, look for ways to get them that don't involve spending money. If you have a toothache, but can provide plumbing services, look for a dentist with a clogged drain. Before you pay cash, ask if there is anything else you can offer in payment. Classified sites like Craigslist.org have categories where you can post items you would like to trade.

Don't be afraid to branch out a little from your comfort zone in order to stretch your dollars further. You may be shocked to find that others are not surprised when you offer less for an item than is listed on the price tag, or ask if you can use other payment methods. In fact, in other cultures, this is very much the normal way that business is conducted. Perfecting these skills and becoming comfortable using them will make you a more confident, empowered consumer, and help you make it through the lean financial times. Keep an informal log of the money you have saved by putting these tools into place and you will see your savings start to add up before you know it.