Do you overspend on luxury items as a nurse?

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When you went into the nursing profession and received your first salaried job, did it make you want to spend more and buy luxury cars, electronics ,etc?

I ask this because I'm pretty frugal, but when I see a car or new gadget that I really really like the first thing that comes to my mind is "I'm going to get that when I become a nurse". Did any of you nurses felt like that with your salary where you just have to buy, buy, and buy because you can afford it but you don't need it?

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Nope! I live way below my means. I do love to shop, but I'm not extravagant by anyone's definition.

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Specializes in PACU.
"I'm going to get that when I become a nurse". Did any of you nurses felt like that with your salary where you just have to buy, buy, buy because you can afford it but you don't need it?

I don't think that being a nurse made the bling more affordable... it just means I can pay the mortgage and keep food on the table.

The only nurses that I know that are able to afford things because they are a nurse are those that have another spouse's income that's paying all the bills. So it wouldn't matter what their job was, it's all extra.

I'm not in that position, and it's a good thing I didn't get into nursing for the money or else I'd be terrible disappointed.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Absolutely not! I recognized the correlation between spending needlessly and working endlessly very early on in my career. I wasn't willing to make the sacrifice.:no:

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
When you went into the nursing profession and received your first salaried job, did it make you want to spend more and buy luxury cars, electronics ,etc?

I ask this because I'm pretty frugal, but when I see a car or new gadget that I really really like the first thing that comes to my mind is "I'm going to get that when I become a nurse". Did any of you nurses felt like that with your salary where you just have to buy, buy, and buy because you can afford it but you don't need it?

Where is this nursing job where we can go out & buy luxury cars & such?

If you try to work that hard to afford that lifestyle you will run into burnout very early into your nursing career.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Overspend? No. Take the little extra and put it aside to save up for something nice? Yes. Every 18 months or so, I can afford a decent vacation. While I was in grad school, I didn't take a vacation for three years. With everything I saved up, I was able to treat myself to first class flights and a luxury resort. It's all on how you manage your money and not living above your means.

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Overspend? No. Take the little extra and put it aside to save up for something nice? Yes. Every 18 months or so, I can afford a decent vacation. While I was in grad school, I didn't take a vacation for three years. With everything I saved up, I was able to treat myself to first class flights and a luxury resort. It's all on how you manage your money and not living above your means.

Nicely said.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Well, I just bought a pair of walking shoes with sleeves and custom orthotics for $$$... it is definitely overspending for me, but it will help me to save my back and knees. So I count it as an investment :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Well, I just bought a pair of walking shoes with sleeves and custom orthotics for $$$... it is definitely overspending for me, but it will help me to save my back and knees. So I count it as an investment :)

Oh, well, I confess. I did buy a designer handbag 3 days ago. I didn't need it, but after taxes, an online coupon, store discounts, plus an employee discount from a very flirtatious salesman, I paid $31 for it.:D

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Don't allow yourself to become beholden to any debt before you complete a year and confirm you want to continue with the available working conditions.

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I grew up with nothing, so when I started making money, I bought shampoo that wasn't from the dollar bin and started making dinners that didn't come in a box. I felt like I was living the life ;)

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I like the motto - "I want it, I want it all, I want it all now. And I only want the best because I'M WORTH IT"!!!

I recite this motto when I'm contemplating a purchase in which I've asked myself "do I need it?" Usually the answer is that I really don't NEED it, but ... "I'M WORTH IT! And then I buy it. Sometimes I keep it; sometimes, I don't.

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