You walk into a store for one thing. Minutes later, your cart’s full, the receipt is long and somehow it feels like a win. That feeling? It’s called "spaving", and it could be eating into your finances more than you think.
What is spaving?
The term spaving, a blend of “spending” and “saving,” refers to buying more than planned in order to qualify for a deal. That might mean reaching a free shipping threshold, chasing a buy-one-get-one sale or padding your cart to snag a limited-time offer.
The concept has picked up attention thanks to finance experts like Kimberly Palmer at NerdWallet and consumer advocates including Andrea Woroch. Both warn that “deals” often function as spending traps. According to Palmer, even professionals fall for the trick. “I bought an extra shirt to get free shipping,” she told Bustle. “But I spent more than I intended.”
Retailers have designed these offers to increase their average transaction size. And it works: a 2023 report by the National Retail Federation found that more than 70% of consumers admit to spending extra to qualify for discounts or perks.
Why it’s so persuasive
Behind spaving is a mix of psychological tendencies. One major driver is the dopamine reward system. When we perceive a deal, our brains release dopamine, the same chemical associated with pleasure and reward. It makes us feel good, even when the “win” is financially irrational.
Behavioral economists call this present bias: The tendency to prioritize immediate satisfaction over long-term goals. That’s why you’ll justify spending $30 on an extra item to “save” $10 on shipping.
Dr. Carrie Joy Grimes, a psychologist interviewed by Bustle, explains that shoppers often experience cognitive dissonance after the purchase, the tension between knowing you overspent and convincing yourself it was a smart financial move. This creates what she calls "mental budgeting," where people allocate imaginary savings from deals to rationalize unplanned purchases.
Social proof and urgency also play a role. Flash sales and countdown timers on e-commerce sites push consumers into quick decisions that feel like must-act moments, when in fact, most offers recycle regularly.
The real cost
Spaving doesn’t just hit your wallet. It can quietly undermine your entire financial strategy.
Buying more than you need often leads to credit card debt, especially with interest rates near record highs. As of mid-2025, the average APR on new credit card offers is around 22%, according to LendingTree.
Over time, frequent spaving also inflates your monthly budget. Adding just $10 to $30 per order to “save” can add up to hundreds, or even thousands of dollars each year. That’s money that could be put toward emergency savings, investments or paying down debt.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) cautions that small, repeated purchases can grow into long-term spending patterns, even when they start out as “just a deal.”
And most spaving purchases? They’re unnecessary. While exact Canadian figures are limited, studies show regret is common. One survey from Edward Jones found 93% of Canadians reported buyer’s remorse, often after making impulse purchases influenced by comparison with others.
When spaving makes sense
Spaving isn’t always a bad thing. If the item qualifies as a planned purchase — like household staples, gifts or essentials — buying more at a discount can be worthwhile. Free shipping thresholds can also be a smart trade-off, but only if the extra item is something you were going to buy anyway and shelf life isn’t a concern.
Bulk-buying non-perishables like paper products or pet food can offer real value if your budget and storage space allow for it. But the key is intention. A good rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t buy the extra item at full price, the deal probably isn’t worth it.
Financial educator Berna Anat, author of Money Out Loud, encourages a simple mindset shift: before you click “buy,” ask yourself whether you’d want the item if it weren’t on sale. If the answer is no, it’s probably spaving, even if the discount feels too good to pass up.
In her book, Anat also urges readers to get “compassionate” with their spending habits by exploring the emotional triggers behind them, and then building budgeting categories that reflect their values.
How to avoid the spaving trap
There are several strategies to keep spaving in check:
1. Set a spending limit before you shop Always start with a maximum budget and stick to it, even if that means skipping out on a “deal.”
2. Use a list and don’t deviate Grocery and online shopping lists help you stay focused. Multiple studies, including research from the Journal of Consumer Psychology, show that list-based shopping significantly reduces impulse spending.
3. Delay checkout Implement a 24 to 48 hour cooling-off period before finalizing a purchase. This helps you identify emotional versus practical spending.
4. Pay in cash where possible Studies from MIT found that people spend less when using cash instead of cards. The pain of handing over physical money can help curb excess spending.
5. Unsubscribe from marketing emails Retailers constantly push time-sensitive deals through email and app notifications. Removing these triggers can help you avoid temptation entirely.
6. Track your spaving Logging how much extra you spend chasing deals can be eye-opening. Using budgeting apps like YNAB, Monarch or PocketSmith to categorize and review your shopping behavior.
7. Enlist an accountability partner Shopping with a friend or sharing your budget goals with someone close can help you stay disciplined.
Keep your goals in sight
In the rush of checkout, it’s easy to lose sight of bigger financial goals. Whether you’re saving for a house, building a rainy-day fund, or trying to pay off student loans, every dollar spent on a “deal” is a dollar that can’t work for you elsewhere.
As Palmer puts it, “The best financial decision isn’t the one that saves you the most — it’s the one that aligns with your goals.”
Spaving turns marketing into a mind game, one where you often lose by thinking you’ve won. With a little mindfulness and a firm budget, you can shop with purpose, spend less and truly save.
Sources
1. Bustle: Your “Spaving” Habit Is Probably Messing With Your Money Goals (June 25, 2025)
2. National Retail Federation: 2023 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry (December 22, 2025)
3. Edward Jones: Edward Jones poll: Canadians wonder how their friends afford their lifestyles (June 23, 2018)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
