The high cost of being 'polite' with your money
Don't ask for a discount? Don't get one. But what happens when you do ask? You might be surprised.
There’s a little voice that lives in most of our heads, and it could be costing us thousands. It whispers things like “don’t make a fuss”, or “don’t be difficult”. Maybe it’s saying “don’t rock the boat”.
It’s a very polite little voice. It’s also very expensive. Because when it comes to your money, you could miss out on tens of thousands of dollars, just by trying not to make a fuss. This applies to your mortgage, your regular bills, that friend who always borrows money but forgets to pay you back, any area of life.
You can still be polite, but you can do it in a way that stops you from missing out on that cash, that surely you’d prefer to spend elsewhere.
What’s up for negotiation?
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When it comes to dealing with businesses, just floating the possibility of a better deal, or a discount, is often enough to get you something.
Your power bill, bank fees, mortgage rate, or really any expense you encounter regularly, all have some room for negotiation. And because they’re regular bills that you’re paying all the time, even a small saving can stack up to be big money.
Power bill? Shop around, see who has the best rate. Powerswitch.org.nz makes it easy to compare plans for your particular useage habits.
Be prepared to shop around.
Mortgage? Ask if you can get a cashback, or an interest rate better than what’s on the website, the next time you refix.
I promise, I put my money where my mouth is on this. I was looking into a service I was considering for my small business. If I used it, it would be for several hours at a time. So all I asked was one simple line – “do you do a bulk discount?” The answer? Not usually, but we could do that in this case.
One line, several hundreds of dollars in savings. Don’t ask, don’t get.
Why we don’t ask
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This probably isn’t news to you, though. In most cases, this isn’t actually a knowledge problem. Many of us know there’s room to negotiate, having read it online, seen the Instagram reel, or had a friend mention it to us.
But when it comes to actually doing it, that polite voice pipes up in the back of our mind. “What if I seem greedy?” “What if I ask, and they say no?” “What if I ruin the relationship, and can never come back here?”
We’re trained from a young age to avoid being seen as pushy, or rude, or worst of all “one of those customers.”
So instead, we nod. Smile. Accept the first rate we’re offered. And then quietly overpay for years.
Nobody wants to be "that" customer.
The myth of the ‘difficult’ customer
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So let’s go ahead and bust that myth right now. You don’t have to be a corporate shark to get a better deal. You don’t need to threaten to walk, or slam your fists on the table.
Most of the time, all it takes is one sentence. Here are some for you to try: “Is that the best rate you can offer me?”
Or “are there any special deals or discounts available right now?”
Even better, do some research, then trot out “I’ve seen a lower rate elsewhere, can you match or beat it?”
There’s no tantrum or nastiness required. Just quiet, calm confidence. You’re not being difficult, you’re being informed.
The system expects you to ask
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If you need help to keep that backbone strong, just remember this: many businesses expect you to negotiate. The advertised rate is just the starting point.
Large companies will usually set aside budget for discounts or special deals. But they’re not going to tell you that – come on, that would be silly. If they can get you to pay more, why wouldn’t they?
It’s a bit like going to a market overseas, where haggling is part of the culture. If you pay full price without blinking, the vendor doesn’t think, what a lovely, polite customer. They think, well that was easy money.
Same with banks, power companies, even tradies. If you don’t ask, they won’t offer.
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It’s not personal. It’s just business.
The quiet inequality it creates
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It’s important we remind each to negotiate, though. Because all the little discounts you’re missing out on can create a ripple effect.
The people who are confident enough to negotiate, or who grew up in families where money talk was normal, end up getting the better deal. They pay less interest, clear their mortgage faster, have lower monthly costs, and get further ahead financially.
Meanwhile, those who don’t know the system, or feel awkward speaking up, end up paying more for the exact same thing.
And that’s where “politeness” turns into a trap. A mindset worth rewiring. If that feels uncomfortable, well good. It means you care about how you treat others. That’s a strength.
But it’s worth separating kindness from compliance. You can be both respectful and assertive. You can ask for better, while staying calm and courteous.
You’re not being a diva, you’re being a grown-up who knows their repeat business is worth something, and you’re just looking to protect your own interests.
Start with one question
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Next time you’re about to pay a bill, or sign up to a service, try this: just ask one extra question.That’s it. One little sentence that opens the door.
If the answer is yes, wait until you’re off the phone, then give yourself a high five. You have my full permission to get yourself a little treat with that first round of savings. You’ve earned it.
If the answer is no, you’ve still flexed the muscle. You’ve practiced checking for a better deal, and guess what? You didn’t die.
The more you do this, the more it will become second nature. And you’ll be amazed at the places you can build up some savings.
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.6% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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3% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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