Winning the Bid

When you are buying a house or a car, you sometimes find the one that you want only to have it slip away before you can complete the process. Here are a couple of helpful tips that will make your dream a reality.

Think realistic before making a purchase. Go to your band and start the paperwork to get preapproved. Most banks will have better rates than lenders that are on-site. If you bank cannot get you the pre-approval that you need, think twice about whether this is really the decision that you need to make right now.

Once you have your pre-approval start shopping. Find the perfect house/car of your dreams and make sure that you have it looked at closely by an expert. A small amount of money spent now will save a lot of money later.

If you are buying a house and you know that it is the one that you want, make sure that you put down more than the normal amount of earnest money if you can. The customary is usually 5-10%. Only do this though if you are pre-approved for a loan and know that you can follow through.

Garage Sale Saavy

Ok, we have all done this. We have gone to a garage sale and found the perfect item for a great price. Got it home and it doesn't work. The next time that you know you are going out to garage sales remember a few tips.

If it is electric, plug it in before you buy it. Don't be shy, you don't want to get it home to find out that it doesn't work.

Keep a small bag of batteries with you so that you can drop them into an item to make sure that battery operated games or items work.

Inspect any boxed items and make sure that all of the parts are with it.

If you see something that you like, pick it up and carry it around. Even if you are not sure that you want it. You can always put it back.

Being the first person at the sale is great, but sometimes they are not ready setting up and you may miss out on a great find. Don't be afraid to get to a sale too late. I have gone to sales late in the afternoon and found things that I really wanted and was often able to get it for much less than the marked rate.

Make sure that you take cash in small bills and change. Don't roll it all together. Sometimes I will put small amounts into different pockets. Now I have some bartering power. You can say, gee I only have $5, then not pay for it with a $20, or pull out a wad of cash blowing your bluff.