People who enjoy yard work have always been a mystery to Al Riddick. While growing up in Littleton, NC, he mowed lawns so he could afford to buy brand-name gym shoes and clothes. Today, he hates the scent of freshly cut grass because it reminds him of all the hours he spent in the sun mowing lawns in his youth.

His wife does not believe he once entertained the idea of having a yard full of dirt and rocks instead of grass like normal homeowners. Luckily, when Al was searching for a home pre-Lesia, his realtor convinced him that idea would hurt his resale value. Because they do have grass, Al prefers that it look nice so he gets the lawn treated and mowed. One of his neighbors once mentioned that their grass looks like carpet.

Because Al loves making a deal, he pays for lawn care in a lump sum to receive a discount. Here’s the December 2022 bill:

Instead of paying the discounted bill, Al called the lawn care company and talked with a customer service representative. Eventually, they agreed on a lower price which represented a 10% discount.

Recently, Al received a check in the mail from the lawn care company for $459.46. To resolve his confusion, Al contacted the company and learned that his service had been canceled by accident. After resolving this mystery, Al was instructed to deposit the check. He was then billed $433.44 for the remaining services. After crunching the numbers, Al saved a little over 14% for getting fired as a customer.

Paying for routine services in a lump sum can usually create opportunities to save money. The additional cash flow generated by the cost savings can be put toward building wealth or paying for something else. More cash flow equals more options; the choice is yours.