I’m a born sucker. I’ll take taken for a ride on any “deal” that comes my way, assuming it’s something I am planning to buy. Not sure why, but when I hear the amount people are asking for something, I either decide it’s the right price or that it’s too much. Right on the spot.

That being said, if it’s the right price, I’ll take it. I won’t try to negotiate it down. I never learned how. I understand the strategy behind negotiations, but if I try to undercut someone then I feel like I’m ripping them off. I don’t want them to leave with a feeling that I’m a slime ball. Whether or not this actually happens is a whole different matter. What happens in my mind is what I have to live with.

Fortunately, I married Ellie. She’s born and raised to be better at negotiating than I am. And when it comes down to it, I leave it to her. She’d probably do best if I left the room and let my voice and anxiety out of it. Maybe I should try that some time. She so good, she’s ready to walk away from something I would have agreed to ages ago because she wants another few dollars taken off the price. 

That’s a benefit of marriage. She fills in my gaps, and I fill in hers. The perfect team.