Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

7 Things You Should NEVER Say to a Business Owner You Want to Partner With

By Leave a Comment

things you shouldn't say to a business owner you want to partner with

Partnerships can help you expand your business or destroy your reputation. If you want to approach a business owner about combining forces, your words are important. Maybe even more important than your pitch deck. Ideas will only take you so far. Instead, you have to build trust. One wrong sentence can signal arrogance, unreliability, or a lack of understanding about what real collaboration requires. Here are the phrases that can end partnerships before they begin.

1. “We’ll figure out the details later.”

Are you disorganized? This line screams that you are. Vague promises won’t impress entrepreneurs. The most successful entrepreneurs have clear processes and structure. Deals without defined roles, equity splits, or expectations often collapse under confusion. Written agreements that are clear are essential. If you’re serious, come prepared with a framework. It’s a sign of respect for their time and consideration.

2. “I just need your connections.”

This is an instant red flag. It signals that you just want access, not their expertise or contribution. Strong partnerships form around shared goals, not opportunism. Instead, detail how you will add value to the partnership and the shared benefits. Partnerships work best when both sides feel equally respected.

3. “We can split profits 50/50—it’s only fair.”

50/50 splits probably aren’t the best approach. It sounds equitable, but often isn’t. Equal splits can create resentment if one partner invests more time, capital, or risk. Structure equity around contribution and accountability. Don’t start a partnership based on assumptions about fairness. They often end in legal or emotional fallout.

4. “I’ve got a great idea—you just have to handle execution.”

Anyone can have a good idea. But the best entrepreneurs know how to execute. When you pitch this way, you imply you want them to do the heavy lifting while you benefit. Business owners hear that you don’t want to roll up your sleeves. Successful collaborations demand shared effort and skin in the game. If you have a good idea, back it up with capital, expertise, or commitment.

5. “You’re lucky I thought of you first.”

This statement is full of ego. Instead, approach the meeting with gratitude. Entrepreneurs are approached constantly, so you may actually be lucky that they are hearing your pitch. Humility is key to professional influence. Show that you recognize their strengths and that you’ve done your homework.

6. “Let’s just trust each other—we don’t need contracts.”

Well, that’s a fast track to disaster. Verbal agreements may feel friendly, but they leave both sides exposed. A written contract isn’t a sign of distrust. Instead, it’s a safeguard for everyone involved. You should outline terms in writing, including responsibilities, exit clauses, and ownership.

7. “This will be easy money.”

No seasoned business owner believes that money is easy. Every venture involves risk, setbacks, and sweat equity. Overselling simplicity suggests inexperience or unrealistic expectations. Having realistic discussions about effort, profit timelines, and obstacles is much more valuable. Savvy partners prefer solid math over blind optimism.

Choose Words That Build, Not Break, Partnerships

Business owners respect preparation, humility, and transparency. The way you speak reveals your mindset, and whether you’re someone worth investing in. Approach with clarity, show your value, and treat every discussion like the start of something that could last years. The right words can turn a meeting into a legacy.

Have you ever had a partnership fall apart over poor communication? Share your story or lesson learned in the comments.

You May Also Like…

Haggling or No Haggling When Buying a Car?

By 4 Comments

Recently, for the first time in 12 years, my husband and I found ourselves in the market for a car.  My husband hates negotiating, so the chore of haggling for a car fell on me.  I had the misguided notion that the Internet would make price negotiation easier, but that assumption was wrong.  Instead, I found that negotiating the price of a car is harder now than it was 12 years ago.

There is definitely something to be said for car dealerships like CarMax that tote a no haggle price.  But which is better?  Haggling with traditional dealerships or going with a dealership that doesn’t play games?

For us, the answer was the latter.

We started our car search ready to haggle and get a good deal.  Instead, all we got was frustration!

The Frustration of Haggling

Haggle or no Haggle when buying a car?
Should You Haggle for a Car?

We religiously searched the Internet to find cars in our price range.  We found one, called to confirm it was still there, and then made the 45 minute drive only to find out it had been sold.  I doubt if it was even there when we called, honestly.

Next, we went to another dealership, this time two hours away, to snag a good deal that we found online.  However, unbeknownst to us, the dealer had an advertised Internet price, but below it, he had a disclaimer—plus dealer fees and extras.  Well, the dealer fees and extras ended up being $2,700 more than the advertised price.

Still, we wanted the car, so we tried to negotiate, but they would not budge much.  After a few rounds of haggling, they were only willing to knock $1,500 off the dealer fees and extras, which would have had us paying $1,200 extra beyond the Internet advertised price plus the fees for the plates, taxes, etc.  No thanks.  Of course, once we drove home, they called us and were willing to negotiate some more.  They still wouldn’t agree to the price we wanted, and we didn’t want to drive two hours again to get the car.

By this time, we were fed up with our car search and the sales people’s tactics.

No Haggle Dealerships

Back we went to the Internet.  A week later we found a car that was a good deal.  We called that dealership and asked the important questions:

Is the car still available?

Do you take any extra fees on to the advertised Internet price?

Yes, the car was available, and no, there were no additional fees.

We loved the car, and after our weeks of searching, we knew it was a good deal.  The salesman almost immediately offered us an additional $600 off the advertised price, but he wouldn’t negotiate after that.  That put the car right in our price range, and we happily took it.

If you like to haggle, that might be the right technique for you.  However, I found the process this time to be very frustrating.

I’d much rather give my business to a dealership that prices the car appropriately (we checked this before we actually saw the car by checking the Blue Book price) and that doesn’t play number games.

Have you bought a car recently?  Did you haggle, or do you prefer to use a dealership that doesn’t play games? 

4 Simple Ways to Save: Medical Bills

By Leave a Comment

Every year, the price of medical care seems to go up.  We pay a hefty premium to be insured through my husband’s work, and then we have a $350 deductible and a $15 co-pay for any doctor’s visit, including wellness checks.

However, I know what we pay for medical care is not that much in the grand scheme of things; many Americans are paying much, much more for medical care than we are.

Yet, in my ongoing goal to continually lower our expenses, I’ve found a few strategies to reduce the high cost of medical care, and avoiding unpaid medical bills.

4 ways to save on medical bills
Cut those medical bills

Call the doctor before you go in.

One Saturday night, my youngest came down with a fever that started at 102.5 and climbed all the way to 104.5.  Luckily, we controlled the fever with over the counter medicine, and she was back to herself in two days.  And then it was time for my other daughter to get it.  Then, my son.  When my son got it, he was sick for three days and unable to keep down food.

Instead of bringing him to the doctor, I called the nurse.  The nurse recommended a wait and see attitude.  If he wasn’t better the next day, bring him in.  Well, he was on the mend the next day, and I saved myself the $15 co pay.

Wait to fill prescriptions.

I had a root canal a few months ago.  The doctor prescribed hydrocodone, and I promptly filled the prescription, which cost me $16 out of pocket.  I should have waited, though, because the little pain I had afterward was easily managed with aspirin.  If I hadn’t rushed to fill the prescription, I would have saved $16.

Of course, this advice does not apply to regular, monthly prescriptions need to control certain chronic conditions.

Consider an alternative to drug stores for your prescriptions.

I have to take thyroid medications.  For years, I went to Walgreen’s to fill the prescription every month.  Then I found out I could get a three month refill from Costco for a price 1/3 less than Walgreen’s.  Yes, please.

If you have a Costco or Sam’s Club near you, checking the prices for prescriptions is worth your while.  Even better, you don’t have to be a warehouse club member to use their pharmacy.

Ask for a different billing code.

My daughter had her regular wellness check in the spring when she turned 5.  This past fall, we switched doctors.  The new doctor required a new patient visit before she would start seeing my daughter regularly.  The problem?  The doctor’s office billed this visit as an annual wellness check, and my insurance provider refused to pay for any of the appointment, leaving me with a $125 bill.

I called the billing office, explained the situation, and after the billing office looked into the situation, they used a different billing code so I was only charged our typical $15 co-pay.

Insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can be expensive.  Using these tips and tricks, you can shave anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred or even thousand dollars off your medical bills each year.

What are your favorite ways to save on medical expenses?