Do you overspend on luxury items as a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

When I become a nurse my main focus will be buying a house rather than a car I don't need or fancy purses, shoes, etc.

I never was into shopping for non-necessities anyway unless it is a rare occasion when I decide to treat myself.

Also, in my opinion, a brand new car is just NOT worth the money. I've never had anything but pre-owned cars which I paid for in cash right then and there. I sleep better at night when I don't owe a bunch of money to someone.

Specializes in ICU.

Ah, to be 18 again!! No responsibilities, learning how to manage life on your own for the first time...... Being able to finally buy those new, shiny things and it's all yours!! I remember it well. It's exciting. And it makes you want to buy it all whenever you want because you can.

Until, life smacks you hard in the face. Bills start piling up. You start thinking if only I hadn't bought............. It will happen if you don't get a plan now, I promise.

Get a good financial plan now and stick to it. Splurge every once in a while. Save up. Start saving for retirement. Because soon enough, kids, marriage, mortgage, responsibilities come and you need the money to take care of it.

You can't take it to the grave with you. Have fun. Live. But also save. There is a balance.

Specializes in dealing w/code browns and blues.

When I graduated as a nurse I had been scrounging to get by for several years. I was living the ramen noodle lifestyle and would often choose to put $10 of gas in my car and then buy $10 of cheap groceries.

Needless to say, my first paycheck as a nurse was amazing. The fact that I could actually afford the rent AND gas AND groceries was a first for me. I bought things simply because I wanted them.

Flash forward to my first time paying taxes as a nurse. I had filled out my tax information and didn't have enough pulled from my paycheck. I owed Uncle Sam a few thousand. I didn't have it - but I had a closet full of cute shoes I thought I deserved.

I'm so glad that lesson came early in life. I splurge on occasion, enjoy life, but live within my means. I'd rather save my money and travel or buy something I really want with money I have.

Others have already said it - get a financial planner and contribute the maximum to your retirement plan. Time will fly by and you'll wish you'd started sooner.

The only nurses I've seen with luxury cars are the ones who work their tails off to pay for them. Lots of overtime or multiple jobs. My 10 year old Honda and its iPod jack serve my needs just fine.

My inpatient care income allowed me to live comfortably enough to not worry about spending a few dollars on something nice now and then. I wish I'd been more careful with everyday spending now that I'm trying to live within my means with the reduced pay that comes with part-time outpatient care. If I get back to that full income, I'm going to handle it differently.

But no, no luxury cars or extravagant vacations with regular nursing. Just living without the constant worry of how to make ends meed that was the norm while I was growing up.

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Yes lots of young nurses entering the workforce have more income that ever before in their lives - but don't go getting a new car just yet! Focus on setting up a Roth IRA and a 6 month cushion of saving just-in-case, first. If this is your first time adulting, you need to take some time to figure out what life costs, and THEN see what disposable income you have left and what you want to really use it for. Good luck!

Specializes in ER.

Luxury cars? A nurse? Seriously?

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Luxury cars? A nurse? Seriously?

It really depends on what each individual views as a priority. I've seen Jaguars, Mercedes, and BMWs in our parking garage- which is separate from the physician/admin parking area.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Short answer- :no:

I buy items off eBay, still shop at Target, and save for retirement in order to live comfortably.

If anything, I brought my first property months after I started working as a LPN, over 10 years ago; I'm looking for another one to acquire passive income.

If I want something "luxury", I go to the outlet on a liquidation sale or haggle on eBay; me acquiring more money has made me MORE frugal than ever.

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Not a nurse yet. Occasionally I do have the thought of "once I'm making money as nurse, I'll be able to buy x" but most of my "x" items aren't luxury, per se. I've spent the past several years living an extremely frugal life scraping by just above the poverty line. A lot of things that are luxury to my mind probably are "normal" to someone with a higher income level than me. (e.g. replacing worn out household items with newer ones, taking more than one vacation a decade).

I'm pretty realistic about things - I may have dreams of international travel, buying property, building a dream home etc, but the reality is most of my initial income as a nurse will go to paying back student loans and then towards saving for grad school and eventually a house that will probably not be a dream home but will be a place to live and hopefully raise a family. Will I be able to make a few upgrades to my life (like buying a new rug or taking a week long camping trip)? Yes, I will, but I don't see myself splurging on designer handbags and fast cars either.

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
Luxury cars? A nurse? Seriously?

Some can afford it. One of my coworkers has a very nice convertible. However, he isn't a new grad he's an older married man (spouse also works) with no kids and the pay scale that 25+ years experience brings.

It's nursing, not the lottery. :laugh:

Lol, after the many responses on this thread I'm finally starting to notice that.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have come to believe the best "luxury" on which to spend money is experiences, not things. If I am going to overspend this is where it will go. Life is short. That and I refuse to compare myself to others. IF they have luxury items, good for them. None of my business.

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