The Daily Money: How 'spaving' can derail your finances

Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

Any time you buy two of something and get a third one for half off, or add a few dollars to an online order to secure free shipping, you are “spaving.”

Spaving is a mashup of “spending” and “saving”: spending more to trigger savings.

But don’t fool yourself, experts say: Spaving is mostly spending.

Here's why that term is in the news.

A pet insurance crisis?

Christie Keith has been paying $600 a month in pet insurance premiums for years and bumped that up to more than $700 recently to add coverage for her 4-year-old Silkan Windhound, Pip.

But a few weeks ago, her plans unraveled when Nationwide Insurance announced it would cancel coverage for about 100,000 pets across the country. The company blamed the rising costs of veterinary care and other factors that are cutting into the profits of its pet insurance business.

Here's why that change could spell trouble.

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It might be a while before you can buy another Applebee’s Date Night Pass. 

The nationwide chain sold out of the highly coveted $200 date night passes within a minute on a Monday back in January, the day they were officially released for purchase, Amaris Encinas reports. 

The pass, sold exclusively online, got customers $30 off more than 50 meals at any Applebee’s location through 2025. 

“Due to popular demand, the Applebee’s Date Night Pass has sold out! … Remember that Applebee’s is always a great destination for date night, “ Applebee’s said on its website.

Not everyone shared the company's enthusiasm.  

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.