The Problem

I have just rung my bank to enquire about a direct debit payment, although my problem was solved swiftly, politely and amicably, the eager gentleman on the other end enquired as to whether or not I own my house. "No thanks, I don't want to buy anything you've helped enough." I tell him quite firmly. "Oh I'm not trying to sell you anything sir, I just wanted to let you know about our latest home insurance prices." In no time at all he was hearing the dial tone, as without reply I just hung up.

Fair play people have to earn a crust, but to be asked non related questions every time you make a call to financial or retail companies really grates on me. If I want something I will find it, usually via recommendation or my own searches, not because someone feels the need to tell me I must have it or my life's not worth living.

Every year on average these leaches bleed us of half a million pounds each in a lifetime. All because we are over sold or tricked into paying too much for our amenities, food, clothes, electrical goods, mortgages, insurance, travel and the aforementioned banks. Not forgetting your prized investments and pensions that make money for none other than those blood suckers who sell them. The problem is we have only ourselves to blame, we have let these organisations including governments carry on doing this to us without contention. We are either to lazy or unclear as to what questions we should be asking. We don't shop around enough looking for the right deal and we don't protect ourselves against the hard sell tricks.

So hopefully, the tips below will make you more aware, protective and inquisitive when thinking about buying goods and/or services. This way you will form new spending habits and defend yourself against these "high street robbers".

How To Resolve The Problem

• Use price-comparison sites. I use these to gauge prices, not necessarily to buy from as they earn a commission on what you buy and can and will be bias towards the companies that use them.
• Ask yourself this, "Do I really need it". A lot of purchases are impulse buys.
• Is it cheaper elsewhere? Make time to shop around, you could be feet away from saving yourself a lot of money just by going to the shop next door. Don't just buy it where you are, just because you're getting something else.
• If you think that it's a must have item, give yourself 24 hours to think about. If the desire to buy is still there, then you must need it.
• Buy Christmas presents in summer and summer clothes in winter. Try to shop out of season, I think it also shows the true value of most items too.
• Pay in cash. I find waving cash in front of people tends to get things cheaper and also means you are willing and capable of paying for such goods.
• Lie to them too. Say the shop down the road is selling it for half what they are, you'll be surprised what works. Even if they do check (which is unlikely), at least you tried.
• Always ASK for more. Whether it be more discount or more cover for insurance or more fruit, more warranty or even more free time to pay, can they deliver it for free? ASK ASK ASK and don't feel embarrassed to ASK, they will either say yes or no. Even if they say no, ASK to speak to some one higher up the chain who may be able to authorise such deals. This should always be the case regarding big purchases. It's probably not going to work on your local fruit and veg stall, you may find an odd shaped fruit lodged somewhere painful.
• Online can be cheaper than the high street. The only problem here is you wont be able to haggle.
• Set yourself a weekly budget and take that out in cash from the ATM at the beginning of the week. Leave credit and store cards at home.

Once you get the principles of shopping around and not buying what you don't need or desire and not being pressured into buying crap that you definitely don't need, you will find that you can apply this to most aspects of your life. Remember it's your money you earned it, don't let them steal it from you. Good luck and Happy Shopping.