Blacksburg resident Clare Levison is a Certified Public Accountant. E-mail her with questions or comments. Self-Help is a weekly feature written by guest columnists on various topics, including finance, fitness and nutrition. If there is a topic you would like to see, e-mail us.

You work hard for your money, and, especially in these tough economic times, every dollar counts.

When it comes to making purchases, you must remember these three words: Everything is negotiable.

Your customer dollars are very precious -- to you and to business owners -- so you should always make sure you're getting the absolute best deal possible.

With everything from cars to furniture to phone service, a smart consumer knows how to get the best price by doing their homework, shopping around and asking for a discount.

There are a few crucial elements of the negotiation.

The first is time. If you are in a hurry to make a purchase, you are not in the best position to negotiate. Sellers can sense when you're eager, and they will use it to their advantage.

Ask lots of questions. Educate yourself on the prices of comparable items or services. Visit several places that offer what you're looking for.

All of these things take time, and the longer you spend debating your purchase, the more anxious the seller will become. Put time on your side, and you'll put dollars in your wallet.

The second is power. You have to believe that the seller needs your money more than you need what they're selling. In business, cash is king. If you have the cash, you have the power.

Third, and most importantly, you must be willing to walk away. Before making a purchase, ask yourself these three questions: Do I want it? Do I need it? Do I have to have it?

Even if the answer to the first question is yes, the answer to the second question may or may not be. Don't confuse your wants and needs. You may want a new couch, but it is very unlikely that such a purchase is a true need.

The answer to the third question is almost always no. Very few things in life are must-haves.

If you can recognize that you may want something but that you don't need it or have to have it, you put yourself in the position to be able to walk away.

Negotiating is a skill, one that is best developed through practice. Never be ashamed to bargain. Remember, you're not being cheap. You're being smart.

Start practicing now. Those extra dollars in your pocket can make quite a difference in your budget.