The smell of sales is in the air...

Some people are good at sport, others are musically gifted. Moi? I am brilliant at bagging a bargain. I will rarely buy something full price (See Rule #1) and this gives me the right to argue my purchases are actually saving money, instead of spending.

I've worked in retail, tackled the first day of sales in Paris, London and Melbourne and have more items than room in my wardrobe. So get your walking shoes ready, you'll need them after I tell you the Six Commandments of Sale Shopping...

#1 Thou shall not purchase full price
I can almost guarantee that if you see something you like, it will go on sale at some point. Instead of spending $100 on a jumper, go home and sign up to their mailing list and wait one week until it's 25% off. Even if you only save $15, that's $15 more towards your next purchase - now who said maths wasn't fun!
The exception to the rule is that if you really, really, really love it and if it's insanely beautiful then you should probably buy it regardless of whether it is on sale, because some clueless shoppers might buy it full price and you could miss your size - use this rule at your own discretion.

#2 Thou shall know sale dates better than your friends birthdays
Those in the know will always get the best deal. If you know when the sales begin then you can go in on sale-eve. When exactly do you think items get marked down? By magic elves in the middle of the night? Non, sales assistants will be out in force marking down with a red pen in hand, the day before the sale begins. Go in during the last hour of trade and most likely everything will already be marked down - you'll be the first to shop the sale and won't have to deal with manic crowds in the morning. Some fabulous places (i.e. France) actually have dates, set by the government, that the sales begin in each region. Unfortunately Melbourne doesn't do that so you just need to keep your eyes and ears open in your favourite shops to find out their sale dates.

#3 Thou shall shop without impulse
Those red shoes you bought a year ago for 60% off that are 2 sizes too small? Yeah, we've all been there and it has got to stop. Always put your thinking cap on before you go and have a look at what's already in your wardrobe, chances are if you already have 3 black blazers, you don't need to buy another (even if it is 50% off).

#4 Thou shall know the different between lust and love
Just because it's on sale, doesn't mean you should buy it*.
If you're not sure, I always recommend going home without it. If you're still thinking about it in a couple of days then it's probably best to go back and get it. In the first few days of a sale, it's very easy to get swept up in excitement and go mad. Yes, sometimes we all need to purchase 10 different dresses for one event but often we just need to regain composure and purchase with reason.

#5 Thou shall take advantage of others naivety 
Now please don't judge me - I would LOVE everyone to become talented at sale shopping but it's just not possible. If you see something at a price that's too good to be true, buy it and if it's not right then try selling it on. From time to time I'll buy something so cheaply then sell it and make a profit on eBay - a girls gotta eat right? Keep it reasonable, it the RRP is $399 and you bought it for $100, start the bidding around $100 and not at $380. Nothing irritates me more than seeing a $60 Zara dress at a $300 starting price on eBay so please, keep it nice and let nature take its course.

#6 Thou shall ruthlessly devote time to warehouse sales
Warehouse and sample sales are like entering a jungle - there's racks everywhere piled high of clothes, and half naked women fighting over the last size in communal fitting rooms. I find them painful and exhausting but it can be so worth it. Go on the last day and you'll often get further markdowns (I once bought a pair of Sass & Bide jeans that retailed at $220,  had gone into the sale at $70 but by the last day they'd put them down to $30). You may miss out on some things by not lining up on Day 1 but many warehouse sales will replenish stock daily.

Go forth friends, and happy shopping!   

*Rule invalid if said sale item is Chanel

In need of inspiration? Here's some of my best sale picks over the life of my credit card...all of which were brand new with tags!