Podcast Summary: The Candy Valentino Show

Episode: Your Money Minute: Stop "Spaving" and Keep More of Your Money
Host: Candy Valentino
Release Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

Candy Valentino dedicates this quick “Money Minute” episode to an insightful yet often overlooked financial habit: spaving—spending money to "save" money. She explores how this common consumer trap prevents people from building real wealth and offers actionable steps to avoid falling into it. The episode emphasizes shifting focus from being a consumer chasing deals to becoming an investor and goal-chaser.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Two Sides of Wealth Creation

• It's not just about making money, but also keeping it.

  “It’s not just how much money you make, it’s also how much you keep.”
  — Candy Valentino (00:40)

• Candy sets the stage by reminding listeners that building wealth requires attention to spending habits as much as income.

2. Understanding “Spaving”

• Definition of Spaving:
  Spaving is a blend of "spending" and "saving"—the act of spending money just for the sake of perceived savings.

  “A big one. It’s called spaving. Spending money to save money. You’ve probably been guilty of it.”
  — Candy Valentino (00:58)

• Common Traps:

  • Buy one, get one free
  • “Free” shipping with minimum purchase
  • Limited-time sales and scarcity-pressure deals

3. The Real Cost for Entrepreneurs & Investors

• Candy warns that these marketing strategies are especially dangerous for entrepreneurs or anyone with financial goals because small indulgences add up and detract from investment potential.

  “If you're trying to get out of debt, invest into your business or build your investment portfolio, these marketing tactics can lure you into unnecessary spending.”
  — Candy Valentino (01:14)

4. Three Steps to Avoiding the Spaving Trap

1. Ask Yourself:

   • “Do I really need this, or is this just great marketing?”
     (01:27)

2. Pause Before Purchasing:

   • Wait 24 hours (or 48 for larger purchases) before finalizing transactions.

3. Review Your Cart:

   • Remove anything that doesn’t align with your bigger financial goals.

4. Pro Tip:

   • Unsubscribe from marketing emails from retailers that tempt you into overspending.

     “If you're constantly overspending from one retailer or business, maybe unsubscribe to those... marketing emails.”
     — Candy Valentino (01:55)

5. From Consumer to Investor Mindset

• Candy presses the importance of identity:

  “The faster you become an investor and stop being a consumer, the sooner that you’ll be financially free.”
  — Candy Valentino (01:59)

• She emphasizes that chasing deals might fill your closet, but chasing financial goals will build your future.

  “Chasing deals may build your closet, but chasing goals? That’s what’s going to build your future. Don't trade it for a discount.”
  — Candy Valentino (02:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On spaving:

  “You've probably been guilty of it. The buy one, get one free. The free shipping with X amount of purchase or on sale today only. And us entrepreneurs in the room know that this works.”
  — Candy Valentino (01:00)

• On resisting temptation:

  “Number one, before buying at ask yourself, do I really need this, or is this just great marketing?”
  — Candy Valentino (01:29)

• On unsubscribing from temptation:

  “The faster you become an investor and stop being a consumer, the sooner that you'll be financially free.”
  — Candy Valentino (01:59)

• On choosing long-term gain:

  “Chasing deals may build your closet, but chasing goals? That's what's going to build your future. Don't trade it for a discount.”
  — Candy Valentino (02:11)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:30 — Episode introduction and framing the importance of keeping money, not just making it.
• 00:58 — Introduction and explanation of spaving.
• 01:14 — Spaving as a marketing trap, especially for entrepreneurs and investors.
• 01:27-01:55 — Three actionable steps to avoid spaving and a pro tip to unsubscribe from marketing emails.
• 01:59 — Transition from being a consumer to becoming an investor; the key to financial freedom.
• 02:11 — Final inspirational note: focus on goals over deals.

Summary

This short and tactical episode delivers practical advice for avoiding the psychological trap of spaving. Through relatable examples and actionable steps, Candy Valentino shows listeners how to adopt an investor’s mindset, prioritize long-term goals, and proactively avoid marketing tactics that undermine true wealth-building. Her energetic and direct style cuts through the noise, urging listeners: Don’t trade your future for a discount.