"Will you take this coupon?"
We're all for cutting down on clutter, but don't throw out those old coupons! Some companies (like your local grocery store) may honor recently expired deals if you simply — you got it — ask. And even if you've got a coupon for a rival company, you might just have a money-saver on your hands: Some stores will honor their competitor’s discounts. For instance, Linens 'n Things (which also takes past-the-expiration-date clippings) will accept coupons for Bed Bath & Beyond!

At the car dealership, ask:

"What if I buy in bulk?"
Buying in mass isn't just for toilet paper — cars can also be bought
in multiples for a discount, according to financial adviser Peter Bielagus, author of Getting Loaded: 50 Start Now Strategies for Making a Million While You're Still Young Enough to Enjoy It. Bielagus tried this tactic himself. He got five friends and three family members together to negotiate from one dealer, and he estimates the group saved 10 to 15 percent off the total purchase price! So ask around or post a plea for fellow car-buyers at the office.

For insurance, ask:

"What if I consolidate?"
If you have multiple insurance policies (such as homeowners or renters, auto and life), Bielagus says your company may offer a discount if you move all your accounts to one multicoverage policy. In some cases, you can save anywhere from 5 to 15 percent. And if your company won’t cut your prices, you can shop around for one that will. Sites like youcovered.com, allstate.com and geico.com offer free quotes online to make finding your best overall rate a snap.

At hotels, ask:

"Do you have a business rate?"
More often than you might think, hotels have special corporate rates for people traveling on business, says Joel Widzer, author of The Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel. The individual policies differ — you might find that some hotels offer this discount (up to 10 percent) for all businesses, and others just for local ones. But in most cases, all the "proof" you need to get the lower rate is to say you’re eligible for it.

For anything, ask:

"Is that the best you can do?
"This might seem like an obvious or useless tactic, but you'll be surprised how often salespeople will agree to drop the price for you, says Dannielle Romano, shopping expert and editor-at-large of dailycandy.com. Why? "They know you’re going to buy if they say yes," she explains. For instance, some hotels may have special promotions that aren’t listed on their sites. And small boutique owners may be more interested in selling the item and getting your repeat business than pocketing that extra $20. So just get up the nerve and ask!