Sure, every deal has a skeleton, and the trick is to spot the ribs that don’t line up. First thing: get the numbers in your head before you sign anything. If something’s off—maybe the profit margin’s too high or the timeline’s too tight—blink and ask for a clearer break‑down. Then read the fine print like you’d read a street sign at midnight; look for hidden fees, clauses that can be twisted, and any red flags that say “I’m not giving this back to you”. If the person can’t explain or gets nervous, that’s a signal. Trust your gut; it’s usually the best alarm system. Finally, walk away before the deal’s cool—there’s nothing wrong with a “no thanks” that comes off as a simple refusal. You cut the bad ones early and keep your wallet, and maybe even your sanity, intact.