I tried to be a good neighbor last night and buy some candy to pass out to kids tonight. But holy cow, candy is expensive!!!

I'm sorry, but it's not worth $30 to give jitters and cavities to kids who already drink too much sugary sodas and juices and eat too many sweets.

I bought about $12 worth of candy -- which was not much, by the way. Luckily I'm going to a friend's house to pass out the goods, so we'll join forces to fill the bowl.

Am I just being cheap here? Or do other people find the cost of candy outrageous? How much is too much to spend on candy?

We don't typically think of American culture being one in which haggling takes place. We go to Sears, see a price tag, and pay the price without negotiation.

But journalist Eric Ruth of the News Journal in Wilmington, Del., has written an article about how we CAN haggle in this country. Look at how we buy homes and cars - negotiations are part of the process.

He cites a study by Consumer reports that "found that more than 90 percent of shoppers who tried to negotiate a better deal on goods and services got one, on everything from furniture, electronics and appliances to floor and demonstration models, even medical bills.

"The secret lies in strength, experts say. In the art of haggling, the deals don’t go to the dainty," he writes.

So what, besides real estate and vehicles, can people haggle for? Here's what he lists:
- Services provided by any service-oriented business.
- Big-ticket electronics such as large-screen TVs, computers, appliance.
- Items in flea markets.
- Services provided by hospitals and doctor’s offices.
- Hotel rooms (especially off-season).
- Car rentals.

What do you haggle for? Do you have any tips or tricks to share? Here's my favorite from the author: "Don’t drool. Showing too much interest in an item spoils bargaining leverage"

I'll try to keep the drooling to a minimum next I'm out buying a toy.