What's one of the best ways to save money? Window shopping, and not because you're not buying. By "window shopping," we're not necessarily talking about a literal walking past the windows of outside stores or those in a mall.

Rather, we mean comparison shopping, regardless of how you do so. So, for example, this could be done very simply on the Internet as well as around physical shops.

Benefits of Window Shopping

Window shopping lets you, the consumer, stay informed about available products, pricing in your area and upcoming sales. Most shoppers know the best techniques to find great deals, but how you have confidence that you have actually found one can be a little more difficult.

Did you know that almost 90 percent of shoppers do some sort of physical window shopping before they actually commit to a purchase? That statistic doesn't even include those who investigate and research a product or retailer online.

Applied to Furniture Shopping

When it comes to furniture shopping, window shopping is a great way to keep an eye out for bargains, get a real feel for the products and materials that you're interested and get to know the retailers in your area or online. If you can make the time, a few trips to the store before you actually make that furniture purchase is all part of consumer research.

Are you aware that almost 20 percent of Google's web searches are consumer or purchasing related? That's billions of searches every day looking for information on particular products, brands, retailers or sales.

Step in to Take a Look

To really get the full benefit of a window shopping experience, try actually going into the store. You'll get the opportunity to feel the furniture fabric in person and even sit on it to gauge its comfort level for you and family members. That tactile experience goes well beyond anything the Internet can offer. And certainly this step decreases the dissatisfaction factor upon delivery.

There's another advantage to window shopping, and that's price awareness. Once you have your radar turned on and your eyes looking out for a particular product, you start to notice price fluctuations. You'll frequently find deals inside the store that may never be posted on a web site.

Locating Great Deals

You will spot flyers advertising furniture sales and billboards boasting great deals on living room sets. As you build up a price awareness over the weeks or months that you're window shopping, you increase your knowledge and confidence as a consumer, meaning you're more likely to spend less on your next furniture purchase and purchase what you really want for your home.

In short, window shopping is a great way to save money on your next furniture purchase. So, if you're saving up now or planning to buy within the next few months, it's time to get your glasses out, but not your wallet, and start "shopping" before you buy. In the end, the cost will likely be a bit more of your time, but much less from your bank account.