spave

v. to spend money under the illusion that one is saving money. Subjects: English, Money & Finance, Slang

Etymological Note: spend + save

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Citations: 1996 Usenet: misc.consumers.frugal-living (Nov. 24) “Re: Any DC frugalites?”: You can come down and we can go laugh at all the people who are “spaving” as they call it. “Spending + Saving” I save a lot. I don’t buy! 2001 Kate Muir Times (London, England) (Dec. 1) “Fraught & social—Diary”: People will risk their lives to spave—spend to save—at Ikea. 2002 [JennP] Usenet: alt.fashion (Apr. 6) “Re: Cofarb Bucks was Re: botton posting”: I heard a term recently that I really thought was funny. “Spaving” Spending to Save. I actually spaved today. 2005 Chuck Jaffe @ Boston MarketWatch (Feb. 2) “Buying ‘bargains’ can be expensive”: My oldest daughter’s friend Polly calls bargain hunting “spaving,” which she defines as “spending to save… because while you are spending money, you’re actually saving on the full price.” I like the word and even the thought behind it, but even Polly had to admit that she’d rather “spave” her money buying soda and candy—something she’ll use—than a case of motor oil, which she won’t. 2007 [Sheelzebub] Pandagon (Mar. 20) “The cost of the system”: When someone tells me that yet another thing they bought was so cheap that they just had to buy it (also known as spaving) I have to roll my eyes.

Posted 26 Mar 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend