It’s a Wednesday morning, and you’ve just finished three long days in a row on the floor. You’ve survived back-to-back shifts filled with double charting, IV changes, medication passes, and that one patient who always needs something right after you sit down. Your feet hurt, your brain is tired, but hey, you just made some decent money. Now you’re off for a couple of days, and suddenly, you’re scrolling through your phone looking at sales. Maybe a spontaneous brunch with friends doesn’t sound so bad either. Before you know it, that hard-earned paycheck has a few extra dings in it.

But what if there was a simple way to not only make more money but also save more of it? The answer isn’t in some get-rich-quick scheme or complicated financial plan. The answer is simple.

Yes, you heard it right. The solution to making and saving money is.. to work. And here’s why: when you’re working, you’re not spending.

The Work-to-Save Strategy: It’s Easier Than You Think

It sounds too simple to be true, right? But hear me out. When you’re working those 12-hour shifts, you’re too busy to be spending money. There’s very little time for online shopping like we do when we’re off, no wandering through Target, and certainly no overpriced fast-food runs. On your workdays, you’re locked into the routine: wake up, work, eat whatever you brought from home (hopefully), and crash. When you’re off, that’s when spending temptation creeps in.

The key to building up some serious savings is by strategically working more shifts—but without burning yourself out. If you structure it right, you can make extra money while avoiding those days off that seem to drain your wallet. Sign up for more work, but space out your shifts so you don’t lose your sanity.

Why This Works

A study by the Bureau of Economic Research found that the more time people have, the more likely they are to spend money on discretionary items. It turns out, when you’re busy (like working long shifts), you naturally cut down on unnecessary expenses because you simply don’t have the time or energy to spend (Aguiar & Hurst, 2013). So, the more you work, the more you make, and the less you spend.

5 Actions to Make and Save More Money

Here’s how to put this strategy into action without running yourself ragged:

1. Sign Up for Extra Shifts—But Be Smart About It

Add a couple of extra shifts per pay period, but never schedule more than three in a row. Why? Because after that third day, your brain starts to feel like mush, and the last thing you want is to jeopardize your patient care—or your sanity. Adding one or two shifts in between your regular work days means you can make more money without burning out.

2. Plan Your Off Days Wisely

On your off days, plan free or low-cost activities. You’ll be more intentional about how you spend your time if you know you only have two days before another work stretch. Spend time with family, go for a hike, read that book you’ve been putting off. The idea is to avoid days filled with “let’s go shopping” or “let’s eat out” impulses.

3. Bring Your Lunch

We’ve all fallen victim to the break room vending machine or impulsively grabbing takeout on a busy day. But one simple way to save big is to bring your own meals to work. Those $10 lunches add up quickly. Over the course of a year, packing lunch could save you hundreds, if not thousands.

4. Set a Savings Goal

Every time you work an extra shift, set a portion of that income aside into a specific savings account. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying down debt, or just building an emergency fund, having a goal will make those extra shifts feel more rewarding. And as the savings grow, so will your motivation.

5. Use Your Time Off to Rest, Not Spend

Time off is necessary for recovery and balance. But instead of using those days to catch up on spending, use them to truly rest. Take advantage of free activities, or spend time with family and friends in ways that don’t drain your bank account. Rest doesn’t have to mean retail therapy.

Finding Balance is Key

The beauty of this strategy is its simplicity. Work more, spend less, save more. It’s a simple equation that works when you strike the right balance. By working extra shifts in a thoughtful way and avoiding burnout, you’ll watch your bank account grow without feeling like you’re missing out on life.

The next time you’re offered an extra shift, don’t think of it as just more hours on your feet. Think of it as a direct deposit into your savings—and as protection from those temptations that come on days off.

Remember: The more you work, the less time you have to spend. And if you plan it right, you’ll still get the rest and recovery you need—without emptying your wallet on unnecessary splurges.

Reference:

Aguiar, M., & Hurst, E. (2007). Measuring trends in leisure: The allocation of time over five decades. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 122(3), 969–1006. Retrieved from https://www.markaguiar.com/files/leisuretrends.pdf