Planning Smart for an Expensive Purchase

photo credit: Tracy O
In my house right now, we’re considering buying a lawnmower and firing the lawmower guy (shh, don’t tell him!). But the lawnmower purchase is a big one - my other half’s looking at one around the $1000 mark - so it needs some research. This guide from Mint on planning for big purchases is helping us out as we narrow down on what type of lawnmower and how much we should spend. The most useful tips there are:

• Figure out the features that you must have. For example, what kind of blade on the lawnmower, or how big a new car should be.
• Decide on the price range - which really means, decide a maximum price. Ignore any product you see which costs more than that - ignore it without finding out anything more about it than its price.
• Ignore the up-sell when the sales person wants to sell you extra features - like cup holders in the car for $300. It might not seem much if you’re spending $20,000, but it is. Be strong!
• Check smaller stores as well as large discounters, and don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price at a shop you like when you’ve seen the same item advertised at a lower price elsewhere. Ask what extra features they can throw in for free, too.