Sure, everyone has had Gatorade before but I bet you didn’t know that, when used properly, this magical beverage can save you hundreds of dollars a year or more and win you friends for life! I’ve employed this technique many times and it never fails to bump my karma and put money in my pocket. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that I’m on a first name basis with at least one person in any major residential service a homeowner could call upon and I owe it all to Gatorade.

If you’ve read my previous posts regarding hiring professionals and being as kind as much as possible you should have no problem understanding how this technique fits in; but first, some background information.

Needless to say, it gets hot during the summers in North Texas. I feel for any person who makes their living toiling in the Texas summer heat because I know for a fact that I couldn’t do it. During one particularly miserable summer, my wife and I concluded that we should hire a lawn care professional and as fate would have it we met Innocente. He happened to drive by while I was trimming our bushes (read mutilating our bushes) and asked me if I wanted to pay him to do it for me. We agreed on a price and they got to work.

Since I love watching artists work, and Innocente is truly an artist with his tree trimmer and mower, I decided to hang around and help them out. I became thirsty after a while so I grabbed a few Gatorades for me and the crew and a funny thing happened. Innocente and his helper thanked me profusely for the drink and we began to talk like old friends while we took a quick break. He asked me if I really wanted this bush cut this way or this tree taken down. I realized that he really knew his stuff and only after the Gatorade broke the ice did he feel comfortable enough or even cared to steer me towards a much better plan for our yard. When the job was done he cut me a deal on weekly yard maintenance and we have been friends ever since. Behold the power of Gatorade!

It didn’t take long for me to realize that this technique worked with yard care pros, fence builders, plumbers, sprinkler repair persons, air conditioner technicians, solar screen installers, handymen, painters, stainers, laminate floor installers, and roofers! This magic liquid has won me free warranties on parts and labor, free troubleshooting and inspections, discounts on labor, near instant rapport with skilled workers, and best of all it has won me friends in many professions who go above and beyond their job description for me and enjoy coming to see me when I call.

If this works for a mildly introverted person like me it will work for anyone. There is only one thing that will mess this up and that’s if you are a jerk and treat these professionals poorly. There’s not enough Gatorade in the world that can make up for that.