Window shopping is a fun way to pass the time, until a sign tempts you with an ad for 40 or 50 percent off. “I should take a look inside,” you might say. “I could save 40 percent.”
Do you know what’s better than saving 40 percent? Saving 100 percent. That’s how much you’ll save if you never walk into the shop in the first place. You probably don’t need anything there anyway (check your list of wants if you’re unsure).
Imagine your local gourmet food shop is going out of business. Cheese is 50 percent off, and bottles of wine are 40 percent off. Those ingredients would make a delicious low-cost picnic for you and a few friends. But if you’re not already planning that picnic, you’re just spending money to stock up. The cheese might even go bad before you have a chance to enjoy it.
Saving 100 percent is the ultimate money-saving hack: You can’t spend any money if you don’t go inside. You’ll keep 100 percent of your money in your pocket, maximizing your savings without spending a dime.