Steam's Hidden Spending Tracker Is Real—and It Might Ruin Your Day

We've all been there—scrolling through the Steam Summer Sale like it's a candy store. “It’s only $1.99, what’s the harm?” we tell ourselves. Then, a week later, we haven’t even downloaded the game, let alone launched it. Well, turns out Steam has receipts. Literally.

In case you missed the latest Reddit panic spiral, users are rediscovering a hidden Steam feature that reveals exactly how much money you’ve spent on the platform since you opened your account. Not just your recent purchases. Not just the stuff you remember. No—everything.

How To Check Your Steam Spending (If You Dare)

Here’s how to find your grand total:

• Open Steam
• Go to Help > Steam Support > My Account > Data Related to Your Steam Account > External Funds Used
• Log in again (you’ll need to confirm via password or QR code)

Boom. The number appears. That number. Some people are seeing four digits. Others? Over $40,000. Reddit user flexbrag45 claims they’ve spent $26,000, while others are hitting $10K+ without even realizing it.

One brave writer at TheGamer confessed to only $130 spent. Respectfully, they’re the outlier. Most PC gamers are sitting on virtual libraries that would make ancient Alexandria blush—and they haven’t opened half of them.

Steam Sales: Blessing or Curse?

Let’s be honest: Steam sales are psychological warfare. Valve has mastered the dopamine loop—flash deals, bundle discounts, wishlist alerts. It’s designed to get you to spend, and it works like a charm. You tell yourself you’ll play it “someday.” But we all know the truth.

According to stats from platforms like SteamDB and even Valve’s own achievement data, a huge portion of purchased games are never even launched. It never opened once. It’s a digital pile of shame—and we’re paying for it.

This isn’t just a meme. It’s a real behavioral trend. There’s even a term for it now: “gaming hoarding”. It’s not just about collecting for fun—it's tied to FOMO, sales pressure, and that cozy feeling of “owning” something, even if you’ll never use it.

Will You Stop?

Now that you know how to check your lifetime Steam spending, will it actually change your habits?

Let’s be real—it might sting, but it probably won’t stop us. The next time Hades is 75% off, or Baldur’s Gate 3 drops $10 for a weekend, we’re still going to hover over that “Add to Cart” button. We love games. We love deals. And sometimes, we love the idea of playing more than the act itself.

But maybe, just maybe, this number can help you slow down during the next sale. Ask yourself: Am I really going to play this? Or is this just backlog inflation?

Steam lets you see the financial reality of your hobby. What you do with that information… well, that’s between you and your unplayed copy of Euro Truck Simulator 2.

Steam has a way to check how much you’ve spent in total. It’s hidden, slightly horrifying, and very real. Combine that with the psychology of constant sales, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for digital hoarding. Meanwhile, Nintendo exclusives may be pricey, but they keep you grounded—one $60 game at a time.

Check your number. Then try not to panic