> I've never, ever heard anyone use the word "bargain" in the way that the author is doing. I can't deny that it technically fits the definition, but if you want to be understand, I think it's important to use language the way other people use it.

This surprises me as much as the author's usage did not. Are phrases like "bargaining chip" or "more than they bargained for" not common enough that this sense of "bargain" is widely understood?

I think it is about the phrasing. "Seek Bargains" sounds very similar to me as "Bargain Hunting", which would lend to an object more than a negotiation.

I think disagree with the parent comment and you.

For reference, there appear to be two definitions of bargain:

1.an agreement between two or more parties as to what each party will do for the other.

2. a thing bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected.

I believe that the author actually does mean to use definition #2. One of the section headers in the article is "Bargain Shopping Careers." This certainly implies looking for GOOD deals not simply 'agreements.'

While I agree the first definition of bargain is also commonly understood, if you say 'seeking bargains' and all you mean is a that you are seeking agreements AND you are talking to someone who grew up in United States, I would advise you to just say "seeking agreements" otherwise the person will assume you are specifically looking for 'good deals' not simply agreements.

"more than they bargained for" is not a phrase that I think about. I know what it means, but it's always used as a set phrase.

"Bargaining chip" is a bit more obvious, though. I admit, it does mean that, but I still think of it as a thing instead of 2 separate words. Right up until you pointed it out.

Even "you drive a hard bargain" comes through my head full of meaning, and I have to think about the word itself to realize it means that.

So a point of clarification: I've never heard the word used that way that wasn't part of a colloquial phrase.

I too thought this was a common sense of the word.

What most people “do” with their lives is a Job. At face value they do this for pay, but Jobs aren’t free and you also have to make a payment: time and attention. Make sure you are getting a Bargain for what you’re paying.

The article discusses a way to define a Bargain.

I was expecting an article on how deal-seeking mommies achieve fulfillment in finding coupons and winning free stuff from online giveaways :(

I think the author is using the term in the more common sense of "good value" as he includes this:

> choose the available job option that offers the greatest variety of these traits in exchange for career capital

- wherein he defines both value and what you're paying for it.

I assume that by "career capital" he means the opportunity cost of working for one organisation over another.

I took it to mean a set of skills that will make you valuable to any employer longer-term or could be used to bootstrap your own venture.