DIY bailout: the art of negotiating

Everyone has at least one family member who loves to negotiate, whether they fight for a good deal on a new car or a free dessert: They just don’t stop until they’ve gotten a concession on the price. Well, Takeaway contributor Beth Kobliner thinks we should look to that family member for inspiration in making our very own DIY Bailout. She says everyone should aspire to the art of deal making.

Beth says we should negotiate on both the big and small stuff: our rent or mortgage, medical bills and even the hotel rooms we occasionally book to get away. And it’s much easier to do now that the internet has made comparison shopping more of a sport than a chore.

Check out our other DIY Bailout segments and Beth’s tips for negotiating. Next week: we discuss whether you should concentrate on saving for your kid’s college education … or retirement.