This is ‘revenge saving’, the new trend in the US to improve spending habits

In the months after COVID-19 lockdowns lifted, Americans went all in—on travel, takeout, concerts, and any activity that felt like reclaiming lost time. That emotional splurge was dubbed “revenge spending,” a term that captured the collective urge to live it up after isolation.

But now, with inflation biting and financial uncertainty refusing to ease, a counter-movement is gaining steam: revenge saving.

Despite the dramatic name, this isn’t about punishing anyone. Instead, it’s a response to the guilt and anxiety that followed impulsive overconsumption. Think of it as financial course correction—saving with purpose, even obsession.

What exactly is ‘revenge saving’?

At its core, revenge saving is an aggressive savings strategy born from regret. People who felt burned by their pandemic-era spending are now funneling their energy into reclaiming financial control.

According to Bobbi Rebell, a personal finance expert at CardRates.com, what sets revenge saving apart from traditional budgeting is the emotional payoff. " The beauty of revenge saving is that the minute you start saving, the thrill begins and will continue," she explains in interviews featured across major financial platforms.

It’s about turning guilt into motivation—and staying the course.

Why the trend makes sense now

Even outside the U.S., the financial squeeze is real. In Spain, for example, a surge in inflation since 2022 has reshaped how people relate to money. A 2024 survey by the Cetelem Consumer Observatory found that over half of Spanish households are cutting back on dining out, entertainment, and non-essential purchases.

Spain’s national statistics agency (INE) reported a small rebound in household savings in 2023—after hitting historic lows the year before. That shift signals something deeper than a passing trend: people are seriously rethinking their money habits.

In the U.S., where inflation peaked at over 9% in 2022 and prices for essentials remain high, the logic behind revenge saving is just as compelling.

How revenge saving works—and why it’s smart

Revenge saving isn’t about depriving yourself indefinitely. It’s about intentionality.

Holley G. Cary, a senior financial advisor at First Horizon Advisors, puts it simply that the goal isn’t to stop spending—it’s to spend wisely, she told Yahoo Finance.

That starts with identifying “invisible expenses.” Think unused streaming subscriptions, daily takeout coffees, or food delivery fees that quietly drain your wallet. Eliminating or replacing these with more affordable habits can free up serious cash over time.

Another powerful tactic? Setting a specific savings goal. Whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying down debt, or finally booking that dream trip, having a clear target keeps motivation high. Cary recommends using a framework like the 50/30/20 rule—allocating 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings.

Turning saving into a game

One of the most effective ways to stick with revenge saving is to gamify it.

Try a 24- or 48-hour no-spend challenge: avoid all non-essential purchases and transfer what you would’ve spent directly to your savings account. These mini-challenges keep you focused, reinforce your goals, and make saving feel like a win instead of a chore.

At its heart, revenge saving is about flipping the script on your money story—from one of impulse and regret to one of empowerment and control.

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