Discount vs. Saving — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
Discount is a reduction on the original price of goods or services, while saving refers to the money kept aside or not spent.
Difference Between Discount and Saving
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A discount directly reduces the purchase price of an item at the point of sale, making it immediately cheaper to buy. On the other hand, saving typically involves setting money aside over time, either in a financial institution or as retained cash, for future use.
Discounts are often provided by retailers or service providers as a promotional tool to increase sales or customer loyalty. Whereas, saving is a personal financial strategy used by individuals to manage their finances for future needs or emergencies.
The impact of a discount is immediate, providing a visible reduction in cost that is often quantifiable at the time of purchase. Conversely, savings accumulate over time and the benefits are realized in the future when the saved money is used.
Retailers may offer discounts during specific sales events or as part of special offers to attract more customers. In contrast, saving is a continuous activity that does not depend on external factors but on personal financial habits and decisions.
While discounts can apply to anyone who purchases a specific item during a promotional period, savings are a more personalized financial activity, influenced by an individual’s income, expenses, and financial goals.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Reduction on the original price.
Money kept aside for future use.
Purpose
Increase sales, attract customers
Financial security, future expenses
Timing
Immediate, at the point of sale.
Accumulates over time.
Dependency
Retailer's or seller’s decision.
Individual’s financial decision.
Typical Usage Context
Promotional events, sales.
Personal finance management.
Compare with Definitions
Discount
A reduction from the usual cost of something.
She received a 20% discount on her entire purchase during the sale.
Saving
The amount of money that one has saved, especially through a bank or official scheme.
Her savings account has grown significantly over the last year.
Discount
A deduction from the total amount or bill.
The store offered a $5 discount on all orders over $50.
Saving
The act of setting aside money for future use.
Saving for a down payment on a house has been their priority.
Discount
A lower price offered on goods to increase sales.
He took advantage of the discount on shoes to buy two pairs.
Saving
Money kept from being spent or wasted.
By cooking at home, he made a considerable saving compared to eating out.
Discount
A concession in price to a specific group of people.
The cinema offers a discount to students and seniors.
Saving
A financial strategy involving regular deposits to a reserve.
They started a monthly saving plan for their child’s education.
Discount
Financial relief provided as a part of promotional activity.
There was a discount available for early registration to the event.
Saving
Conservation of resources or expenses.
Carpooling led to a significant saving in travel costs.
Discount
To sell or offer for sale at a reduced price
Discounting all merchandise.
Saving
Saving is income not spent, or deferred consumption. Methods of saving include putting money aside in, for example, a deposit account, a pension account, an investment fund, or as cash.
Discount
To reduce in quantity or value
Discount a price.
Saving
Rescue from harm, danger, or loss.
Discount
To deduct or subtract from a cost or price
Discounted 30 dollars off the price of the coat.
Saving
Avoidance of excess expenditure; economy.
Discount
To determine the present value of (a future payment or series of payments).
Saving
A reduction in expenditure or cost.
Discount
To price (a bond or other debt security) at a reduction to its face value, especially in place of a coupon.
Saving
Something saved.
Discount
To disregard or doubt (something) as being exaggerated or untrustworthy
Discount a rumor.
Saving
Savings Money saved
A bank account for savings.
Discount
To underestimate the significance or effectiveness of; minimize
I made sure in my report not to discount your accomplishments.
Saving
Savings (used with a sing. verb) Usage Problem An amount of money saved
A rebate that yielded a savings of $50.
Discount
To anticipate and make allowance for; reckon with in advance.
Saving
(Law) An exception or reservation.
Discount
A reduction from the full or standard amount of a price or value.
Saving
With the exception of.
Discount
The amount by which the face value of a bond or other debt security exceeds its market price.
Saving
Except; save.
Discount
Offering products or services for sale at low or reduced prices
A discount retailer.
A discount airline.
Saving
A reduction in cost or expenditure.
The shift of the supplier gave us a saving of 10 percent.
Discount
Sold or offered for sale at a low or reduced price
Discount merchandise.
Saving
Something (usually money) that is saved, particularly money that has been set aside for the future.
I invested all my savings in gold.
The collapse of Enron wiped out the life savings of many people, leaving them poor in their retirement.
Discount
Reduced in quantity or value
Discount airfares.
Saving
(uncountable) The action of the verb to save.
Discount
Priced below face value, especially in place of a coupon
A discount bond.
Saving
Exception; reservation.
Saving and transitional provisions
Discount
To deduct from an account, debt, charge, and the like.
Merchants sometimes discount five or six per cent for prompt payment of bills.
Saving
Present participle of save
Discount
To lend money upon, deducting the discount or allowance for interest
The banks discount notes and bills of exchange
Saving
(theology) That saves someone from damnation; redemptive.
Discount
To take into consideration beforehand; to anticipate and form conclusions concerning (an event).
Saving
Preserving; rescuing.
Discount
To leave out of account or regard as unimportant.
They discounted his comments.
They discounted his suggestion.
They discounted his idea.
Saving
Thrifty; frugal.
A saving cook
Discount
To lend, or make a practice of lending, money, abating the discount
Saving
Bringing back in returns or in receipts the sum expended; incurring no loss, though not gainful.
A saving bargain
The ship has made a saving voyage.
Discount
To believe, or act as though one believes, that one's own feelings are more important than the reality of a situation.
Saving
Making reservation or exception.
A saving clause
Discount
A reduction in price.
This store offers discounts on all its wares. That store specializes in discount wares, too.
Saving
(in compound adjectives) Relating to making a saving.
Energy-saving light bulbs
Discount
(finance) A deduction made for interest, in advancing money upon, or purchasing, a bill or note not due; payment in advance of interest upon money.
Saving
With the exception of; except; save.
Discount
The rate of interest charged in discounting.
Saving
Without disrespect to.
Discount
(figurative) A lack or shortcoming.
Saving
Preserving; rescuing.
He is the saving strength of his anointed.
Discount
The act of one who believes, or act as though they believe, that their own feelings are more important than the reality of a situation.
Saving
Avoiding unnecessary expense or waste; frugal; not lavish or wasteful; economical; as, a saving cook.
Discount
Specializing in selling goods at reduced prices.
If you're looking for cheap clothes, there's a discount clothier around the corner.
Saving
Bringing back in returns or in receipts the sum expended; incurring no loss, though not gainful; as, a saving bargain; the ship has made a saving voyage.
Discount
To deduct from an account, debt, charge, and the like; to make an abatement of; as, merchants sometimes discount five or six per cent for prompt payment of bills.
Saving
Making reservation or exception; as, a saving clause.
Discount
To lend money upon, deducting the discount or allowance for interest; as, the banks discount notes and bills of exchange.
Discount only unexceptionable paper.
Saving
With the exception of; except; excepting; also, without disrespect to.
None of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
And in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Discount
To take into consideration beforehand; to anticipate and form conclusions concerning (an event).
Saving
Something kept from being expended or lost; that which is saved or laid up; as, the savings of years of economy.
Discount
To leave out of account; to take no notice of.
Of the three opinions (I discount Brown's).
Saving
Exception; reservation.
Contend not with those that are too strong for us, but still with a saving to honesty.
Discount
To lend, or make a practice of lending, money, abating the discount; as, the discount for sixty or ninety days.
Saving
An act of economizing; reduction in cost;
It was a small economy to walk to work every day
There was a saving of 50 cents
Discount
A counting off or deduction made from a gross sum on any account whatever; an allowance upon an account, debt, demand, price asked, and the like; something taken or deducted.
Saving
Recovery or preservation from loss or danger;
Work is the deliverance of mankind
A surgeon's job is the saving of lives
Discount
A deduction made for interest, in advancing money upon, or purchasing, a bill or note not due; payment in advance of interest upon money.
Saving
The activity of protecting something from loss or danger
Discount
The rate of interest charged in discounting.
Saving
Bringing about salvation or redemption from sin;
Saving faith
Redemptive (or redeeming) love
Discount
The act of reducing the selling price of merchandise
Saving
Characterized by thriftiness;
Wealthy by inheritance but saving by constitution
Discount
Interest on an annual basis deducted in advance on a loan
Discount
A refund of some fraction of the amount paid
Discount
An amount or percentage deducted
Discount
Bar from attention or consideration;
She dismissed his advances
Discount
Give a reduction in price on;
I never discount these books-they sell like hot cakes
Common Curiosities
What does saving mean?
Saving refers to the act of keeping money aside for future needs rather than spending it immediately.
What is the purpose of saving money?
The main purpose of saving is to ensure financial security and manage future expenses.
What is a discount?
A discount is a reduction applied to the original price of goods or services at the time of sale.
Can a discount be considered a form of saving?
While both reduce overall expenditure, a discount is an immediate reduction in cost, whereas saving involves accumulating funds over time.
What are the long-term benefits of saving?
Long-term benefits include financial security, interest earnings, and the ability to manage unforeseen expenses.
How does a discount affect a purchase?
A discount lowers the purchase price, making an item less expensive to buy immediately.
Is there a limit to how much discount one can receive?
Discounts are usually predefined by retailers and can vary widely, sometimes up to 50% or more during special sales.
What are typical reasons stores offer discounts?
Stores offer discounts to attract customers, clear inventory, or during promotional events.
Why is saving important?
Saving is important as it prepares individuals financially for emergencies, retirements, and their future needs.
How can one start saving money?
One can start saving by setting aside a certain amount of money regularly into a savings account or investment plan.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
