As a physician, I know how easy it is to justify spending in the name of saving. Long hours, high stress, and limited time push us toward convenience and retailers know it. Spaving, or spending more to “save” money, is a financial trap many healthcare workers fall into. We convince ourselves that bulk discounts, limited-time sales, and good deals are smart choices. But in reality, they chip away at our hard-earned income. I’ve been there myself, and I’ve seen people struggle with the same cycle. Let’s break it down and find a better way to spend wisely.

What is Spaving?

Spaving is when you spend extra just to “save” money. Retailers hook you with deals like “Buy one, get one 50% off.” You think you’re getting a bargain, but somehow your wallet feels lighter than expected. Funny how that works.

Why Healthcare Workers Fall for It

After a long shift, you’re tired. You want convenience. I remember one night after a brutal shift, I saw a deal on compression socks that was ‘buy three, get one free.’ My feet were killing me, so I figured, why not? A week later, I realized I already had a drawer full of barely worn socks. But hey, at least they were ‘on sale.’ A sale on scrubs? Might as well grab a few extras so you don’t have to think about it later. A discounted conference? Feels like a smart investment and everyone else is going. A limited-time deal on a stethoscope? You don’t need a new one, but hey, it’s 20% off. And just like that, you’ve spent way more than you planned.

The Real Cost

Spaving sneaks up on you. Credit card balances creep up. That money you were going to put toward loans or savings? Gone. I once jumped on a limited-time discount for an expensive online CME module. It felt like a smart career move at the time. But when I looked back, I barely used what I learned, and I could have gotten the same CME credits for a fraction of the price. Sure, a $200 discount sounds great until you realize you wouldn’t have spent that $1,000 at all if the “deal” wasn’t there to tempt you.

Signs You’re Spaving

Think about your last impulse buy. Did you actually need it, or was it just a “great deal”? Some red flags:

• Tossing extra stuff in your cart just to get free shipping
• Convincing yourself, “I’ll use this eventually” (spoiler: you probably won’t)
• That sinking feeling when the package arrives, and you’re already over it

I saw a ‘buy more, save more’ sale on ties and stocked up. Six months later, half of them still had tags on. I kept telling myself I’d need them eventually, but I really just got tricked by the discount. A quick test: Would you pay full price for it? If not, you just got spaved.

How to Stop

1. Set Spending Limits

Decide in advance how much you’ll spend on clothes, courses, and work gear. No surprises.

2. Wait Before You Buy

Give yourself 48 hours. If you still want it, fine. If not, congratulations: you just dodged a pointless expense! I almost dropped $500 on a ‘flash sale’ for a new smartwatch. Gave myself 48 hours to think about it. Two days later, I completely forgot about it. That’s when I knew I never really needed it in the first place.

3. Ditch the Credit Card

Swiping feels painless. Handing over cash? That stings a little. Try it and see if you still want that “must-have” item. I love the convenience of credit cards but for some folks that convenience gets them into trouble easier.

4. Don’t Fall for Fake Savings

If you have to spend more to “save,” you’re not actually saving. Nice try, retailers.

5. Pay Yourself First

Before buying anything extra, put money into savings. Future you will be grateful.

The Bottom Line

Spaving tricks you into feeling smart about spending, but it drains your bank account. Next time a deal tempts you, ask yourself: “Would I buy this at full price?” If the answer is no, walk away. Your wallet will thank you.