I am by nature a "haggler"  - whats your best price and all that stuff.

So My Top Ten Haggling Tips

1. Haggling is legal. A price tag constitutes a maximum, not a minimum, price.
2. Shops benefit financially if you pay with cash rather than a credit card, so why shouldn't you share their good fortune?
3. Point out any faults in the goods as an aid to getting money off.
4. If the person serving doesn't have the authority to give you a discount, ask to see someone who does.
5. Shop around.
6. A multiple purchase could increase your chance of getting a discount.
7. It can be easier to haggle over the phone, especially when dealing with banks, hotels and travel agents.
8. Get your timing right. You stand a better chance of getting a discount at a fruit stall at the end of the day than the beginning.
9. Arm yourself with a phrase that is recognised within the industry in question. For example, at an antiques stall ask the proprietor: "What's your best price?"
10. Haggle over items with a high value. It's not worth an electrical dealer's while to haggle over batteries, but the reverse applies to the equipment they power.  

So go out and haggle the price down, don't be shy, you really can save wads of cash especially these days when all the sellers are bleating about how hard it is to get your money out your pockets, if you get good at haggling it will become like a sport.

Thouight I'd start a hints and tips section for those who are in finacial trouble, as the saying goes "been there done that"

When you’re in a financial bind, bankruptcy is not the only way out. There are many alternatives to bankruptcy if you are willing to put out the time and energy. It could save you much unnecessary hassle.

Bankruptcy is a difficult decision to make so it is best if there is another solution out there for you.

Begin by calling your creditors. Most are willing to work with you if you explain to them your situation. Tell them you are considering bankruptcy.

In many cases, creditors are willing to work out a different payment plan with you. Don’t hide from them either. Be straightforward and open about your financial situation.

Before filing bankruptcy, take a good long hard look at your finances. Get organized and begin writing out a budget. Start with your monthly income and deduct your monthly household expenses.

Understand how you are spending your money and seek out where you can make cutbacks. Perhaps buying groceries in bulk, or cutting back on phone services or cable services. Every little thing helps.

Next you will want to take a look at your credit cards. You may be able to take the balance from one with a higher interest to a lower interest one. Then get rid of those high interest credit cards all together.

Stay away from paying off credit cards with credit cards. Other things you can try are refinancing a car loan or a mortgage. Perhaps you have some family members or friends who are willing to pitch in to help pay off high rate debts and avoid bankruptcy.

Remember, this is a loan so when you are in a better situation, do make sure to pay back those who were kind enough to help you out.

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

'In honor of this holy season' Saint Peter said, 'You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.'

The man from Mayo fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. 'It represents a candle', he said.

'You may pass through the pearly gates' Saint Peter said. The man from Galway reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, 'They're bells.'

Saint Peter said 'You may pass through the pearly gates'.

The Dubliner started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, 'And just what do those symbolize?'

The Dub replied, 'These are Carols.'

And So The Christmas Season Begins....

I am not a political animal but recent events in Ireland are bordering on the insane.

How can a government of any persausion, make cuts in the health and school systems, these are at the very core of society.

A healthy society in general is a happy one and a happy society is a productive one.

The situation with schools and education is beyond belief, the young people are the investment we all make in the future of Ireland and yet the very people who were voted into power are now cutting and "saving" money by not investing in the future of either education or the health systems.

They are "Penny wise and pound foolish" (Sorry "Euro foolish") - The payment for all cuts in those two departments will be paid for in the future by failing health of the population and I reckon a failing education system.

I watched "Biffo" Taoiseach (Anagram: I eat chaos) Brian Cowen (Anagram: Wince on bar) at his best in the D�il blathering away trying to convince everyone that this is the way to go and that it cannot be helped. The man is a fool and hopefully he and his cronies will be ousted in the next election.

I really hope the people have learnt about "people power" from the old aged pensioners who got them to turn away from some of the budget proposals.

Any comments appreciated

More later...

An old cowboy sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee.

As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him.

She turned to the cowboy and asked, 'Are you a real cowboy?'

He replied, 'Well, I've spent my whole life breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, bailing hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy.'

She said, 'I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat. It seems that everything makes me think of women.'

The two sat sipping in silence.

A little while later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, 'Are you a real cowboy?'

He replied, 'I always thought I was, but I just found out that I'm a lesbian.'