What is spaying and how it quietly empties your wallet.

Just because you buy items at a discount doesn't mean you're saving money.

Making impulse purchases, late paying bills, and spending money out of emotion are obviously bad financial habits. But there are others that at first glance seem harmless. For example, spaying.

What does "saving" mean?

The English word spaving comes from the phrase spending to save and literally means “spending money to save.” For example, when we buy unnecessary goods on sale, this is spaying. Of course, a discounted sweater costs only 1,000 rubles. But this does not make the purchase profitable if we do not need it, but only means that there are 1,000 less rubles in our wallet.

It’s generally difficult for savers to pass up a sale. They feel like they're saving money in the long run when they spend it now on things they wouldn't otherwise buy.

Why is spawing dangerous?

The main problem is that it forces us to spend more in the hope of getting some benefit in return in the form of savings. One of the most common examples of spaying traps is free shipping that stores offer to customers when ordering over a certain amount. As a result, we add items to our cart that we don't need. Yes, we will not spend money on delivery, but the final purchase amount will most likely exceed the initially planned limit.

Another sales trick that leads to spaying is a sense of urgency, fueled by wording such as “Today only,” “Price of the day,” or “Limited offer.” This makes us feel like we're missing out on a rare bargain opportunity. Although in reality everything is not so, because promotions are held regularly, and if we did not buy an item on sale now, this does not mean that we cannot buy the same item on sale later.

In addition, many people get real pleasure when they find something at a good price, and it doesn’t matter how much they need it or how much they wanted it. But this is a temporary pleasure. Because we're still spending money that could be going toward something more important, like investing, adding to a savings account, or paying off debt.

Even small amounts spent in a rush of spaying accumulate over time and punch a noticeable hole in the budget. In addition, goods purchased on sale often cannot be returned, which means that when the euphoria from a successful purchase wears off, we may find ourselves surrounded by things that we don’t like and don’t really need.

In particularly severe cases, spaying even leads to serious financial problems, such as debts, the amount of which exceeds the savings when purchasing discounted goods.

How to avoid spaying

Avoid sales

Unsubscribe from store mailings and turn off notifications in marketplace applications to stop receiving messages about new promotions and discounts and protect yourself from the temptation to spend money profitably.

Stick to the shopping list

Always make it up before you go to the store. When an item on sale catches your eye, check to see if it's on your list before you buy it.

This advice can also be applied if you prefer to buy things at a discount and do not often go on big shopping sprees. Make a list of everything you plan to buy someday and refer to it when you're in the store during a sale.

Set waiting period

Don't buy things right away, but give yourself time to think. When the emotions about a potentially successful purchase have subsided a little, you will calmly figure out how much you need it. In addition, you will have the opportunity to check if there is already something similar at home. If there is, even if you don’t need to spend 500 rubles.

You can maintain a 24-hour waiting period to inspect your cabinets and, in addition, for example, compare prices in different stores. Or you can go even further and take a 48-hour pause before purchasing, even if the product is on sale at a discount.

To make your final decision, ask yourself how this purchase will make you feel in three, six, or nine months.

Avoid certain stores

Namely, those where they regularly organize tempting promotions. If you know that you always spend more than you planned in a certain store, or often make impulsive purchases there, try to go there less often. And turn off your phone while shopping, because talking or texting can distract you and prevent you from making smart financial decisions.

Delete saved payment information

The more inconvenient the spaying is, the better. Therefore, delete card details in applications and on store sites so that you can enter them manually each time. While you take the card out of your wallet and re-enter the necessary information, the desire to buy may weaken and you will avoid thoughtless spending.

Create an expense report

Evaluate your shopping habits and calculate how much you've spent on unnecessary items in a year. Perhaps the picture that has emerged will motivate you to change something and make a plan to reduce spending.

In addition, it will be useful to think about what emotions provoke spaying. If you buy something to cheer yourself up after a terrible day or to reward yourself for a good job, the feelings will dissipate, but unnecessary things and a hole in the budget will remain. Therefore, it is worth looking for another way to cope with sadness or celebrate victories.

Keep goals in front of your eyes

When creating a personal budget, it is important to consider your goals, principles and values. Therefore, before you go shopping, it is worth asking yourself how the upcoming purchases will fit into your overall well-being.

To keep this issue on your mind, you need to make your goals visible. Write them down on sticky notes and stick them on your laptop or even a bank card. Then, every time you are tempted by spaying, you will see where it is better to direct your money in order to quickly achieve what you want.

Stop comparing yourself to others

When we do this, we lose sight of our own values ​​and spend too much money to “be as good as others.” If you realize that you are buying beautiful and expensive things that you don’t need because of social pressure, find an opportunity to change your personal and professional environment.

For example, spend more time with friends who support you, or discuss career ideas with colleagues you trust. This will remind you that you have your own unique needs and desires.