Be Wary of “Spaving”

Spending money to save money – something called “spaving” – is something that almost every penny-pincher does from time to time. Sometimes spaving can be a good thing when you’re stockpiling things you will need for future use, such as grocery deals, gifts, or buying necessary clothing items for your kids for next year. However, you need to be aware of its pitfalls as well.

When you’re frugal, it’s sometimes easy to get caught up with saving and take it a little too far. The thrill of finding a bargain sometimes overrules better judgment and causes you to buy things you really didn’t need in the first place. Sometimes “saving money” can even get you into financial trouble when you’re spending on things you really don’t need.

Spaving can also encourage overconsumption. Have you noticed that when you buy the big bottle, can, or box of something, you may be more liberal with its use? If you buy the huge bottle of shampoo, you may squirt more out each time because mentally you feel like there’s plenty left. The price per ounce may be less, but you’re going through it more quickly – which tends to negate some of your savings. A perfect example of this is the McDonald’s Supersizing where for just pennies more, you get more soda and fries. What a great deal! But did you really need them, and did it cause you to eat more than you would have?

When my daughter was a baby, I bought her more clothes than she actually needed because I found so many great deals at garage sales. I rationalized that I would be able to sell them for what I paid when she outgrew them; but I was still filling my house with things I didn’t need. I've bought cases of bottled water on sale that caused me to drink bottled water like it was going out of style instead of just filling up my glass from the tap. I've Supersized my fast-food meals more than a few times. The list goes on and on. However, the more aware I become of when I'm spaving, the more likely I am to avoid it in the future.

Assignment: List some of the times when you’ve spaved. When was it a good idea? When was it a mistake? Did it cause you to go through that item faster, or be less careful with its use?

__________________
Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook
Frugal Tweets! Follow Mommysavers on Twitter
Preorder the NEW Mommysavers.com Book: Instant Bargains

Wow! I am definately a 'spaver' I just did this a few weeks ago - the disney store in my local mall is going out of business, so I went and bought a bunch of stuff for Christmas & birthdays. But now after reading this post, I would never have bought the stuff if I was just out shopping for a specific purpose! I really need to watch that!

__________________
"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

I use to be really bad at this. My dh was the one who brought it to my attention. When I'd say, "I saved $20 today!". He'd gently say, "No, you spent $50 today."

__________________
Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I used to be really bad about this. I would buy my sons t shirts on sale for $1.48 or something. Well, yeah that is a great price, but not if they already have more t shirts than they can ever wear!!! I do not do this anymore. I am very discriminating in what I buy. Even if the item is really inexpensive, I stop and think if I really need it or will really get use out of it before I will invest any amount, however small.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

This is An Area I Struggle with as Well!!

I have been pretty Good Lately though!


I Have never thought of the Bigger item Causing Me to Use More though!

I Know You are right on this One and I Am Going to Watch out For this As Well! .

I don't know if I have ever been really big at spaving. Yes I have bought things I didn't need because of the Price. Did it just a week ago. We bought a Gazebo style patio cover, Did I need it no but I thought I wouldn't find a better price. $130 for a 10x13 Gazebo is great figured I Spaved around $70 or more. Still it was a planned purchase for 2009 and not last weekend.

What has helped us is that DH and I have a spending limit or $50 any purchase over $50 we need to discuss and agree appon joinly. It really saves us from making larger purchases on an impulse.

We really need to be stricter at sticking to a shopping list. We spend alot less that way.

__________________
Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

You are so right, I find myself doing this exact thing. I am really bad with groceries and coupons.

I used to find that if I had a coupon, then when I was grocery shopping I would pick up that iname brand tem and never give it a second thought. I've gotten better at comparing the name brand using the coupons and the generics to see which is cheaper. It is hard sometimes when I forget to take my calculator and you have to really know your grocery stores policies on coupons and when they can be doubled and it can often take a tremendous amount of time to compare everything, but it does make a difference. Just because it is on sale and you have a coupon does not mean it is the best deal!!!

ok i do that with sales all the time but i do make sure it's something i will use. for bigger items in put them into smaller containers. i use the travel size shampoo bottles i got a sample in. by pouring the value size and free shampoo i get into it we wast less. and if someone (i wont name who) forgets to put the cap on and spills it it was only a little. this dose take mere time refilling it every other day or so. i am so guilty of over buying the baby clothes though.

Yeah, I sometimes have to "talk" or reason myself out of purchasing something just because it's a "bargain."

__________________
Michele

One recent experience I'm still kicking myself over...I went to DD's preschool auction and bid on $150 g/c for a local summer camp. I really wanted DS to be able to go to a fun camp and it was looking like we wouldn't be able to afford it, so I bid on the g/c. I won it, for $90 and thought I got a great deal. When I got home, I discovered the camp ran 2 week sessions, at over $300 per week! So, for $90, I had the privilege of spending $400 more! I felt so completely stupid for not checking beforehand. I console myself with the fact it was for a good cause!

I also do this a lot with food, buying not-so-healthy-but-cheap food instead of spending more on a healthier item. It drives my DH nuts!