Two simple-but-powerful questions to help combat high prices
Multiple shopping experts I spoke with in writing my book said they swear by these questions
Hi there, my friend.
This just in… Life’s expensive in 2026, and it isn’t likely to get much better anytime soon.
Thanks to the war with Iran, much of the talk has been about the crazy-high cost of gas — AAA says $4.16 a gallon, nationally, as I write this — but high gas prices don’t just hit us at the pump. They ripple across the entire global economy, raising the prices of most anything we buy. Pile those increases on top of the already stubbornly high prices Americans were facing for groceries, vehicles and, well, most anything else, and it just makes an already challenging situation that much worse.
It is easy to feel powerless amidst all of the chaos. However, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll continue to say it…
You have more power over your money than you realize. It is often just about asking the right questions.
I’m not going to BS you and tell you that you can haggle down the price of a gallon of a gas or a loaf of bread. That’s likely not going to happen.
However, there are many, many other purchases that you can pay less for — potentially much less for — just by knowing what to ask.
Two simple, powerful questions
My book, “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How To Take Control Of Your Financial Life,” includes a section devoted to getting deals on shopping with retailers. I spoke with many of the most knowledgeable shopping experts in the business as I wrote it, and I heard the same thing over and over again in many of those conversations.
They all spoke about the power of two simple questions:
Do you match your competitors’ prices?
Are there any sales or discounts on this item right now or coming soon?
That’s it? Really? Price matching and sales?
Yes, really.
We often think negotiations over price are going to be terrifying, drawn-out and painful, but so many times, they’re just not. Often, you just need to be willing to ask.
To be clear, asking doesn’t always work. Nothing always works. However, it is usually worth trying.
By the way, the last part of the second question is key. The truth is that sometimes if an item is about to go on sale, a retailer will be willing to give you the future sales price anyway. Don’t expect them to do it if the sale is still a month away, but if you’re shopping on a Wednesday night and the sale starts on Friday, a retailer might be willing to work with you to keep you from walking out of that store.
Worst-case scenario: You still get a deal, but you have to wait a bit for it.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be sure to come back on Friday when the sale starts.”
And the best news of all is that this works best on big-ticket items. Things like appliances and furniture. Things where you’re not just saving a buck or two, but potentially money that could have a real impact on your weekly budget.
Pro tip: Knowing who to talk to
As with any negotiation, it isn’t just about what or how you ask. It is also about who. For example, someone in a locally owned store may have more wiggle room on price than someone in a big corporate retailer.
Still, even in that small store, it matters who you choose. My friend, shopping expert and fellow Substacker Trae Bodge from TrueTrae.com, said it perfectly in my book:
“Read the room. If you see someone rushing, that’s not the person to ask. You want to ask the one moving slowly, stocking shelves, maybe dusting, someone who seems calm — especially if you’re shy. If someone’s dashing by, don’t expect them to stop and look in their computer for an extra sale.”
I’d love to hear your success stories. Share them in the comments below.
Until next time!
Matt