We’ve all found ourselves in that familiar scenario: justifying a purchase we don’t truly need, for people we don’t particularly like, and acquiring something we don’t genuinely want but felt strangely compelled to get at the time.
Perhaps it’s the allure of something being ‘hot’ or ‘in trend,’ the influence of YouTube, or the neighbor next door. We might succumb to these purchases due to social comparison, wanting to emulate someone else’s lifestyle, or getting swept up in the consumeristic frenzy fueled by trends like buy-now-pay-later (BNPL), TikTok, and constant scrolling.
Navigating this consumer-driven economy, where distinguishing between needs and wants becomes increasingly challenging, poses a significant struggle. As a personal finance creator, I often grapple with the pervasive issue of comparison, recognizing it as the thief of joy.
Born in 2000, I can’t fathom a world without phones, social media, or the internet, all of which have exacerbated detrimental habits and transformed us into versions of ourselves we may not always be proud of or in fact, be able to make sense of.
Girl Who?
Although I’m not on TikTok, I stumbled upon the trending topic of ‘girl’ math on the news. Despite initial hopes that social media was progressing towards de-stigmatizing the field of personal finance and promoting healthy financial habits, it quickly became clear that once again, this was not the case.
‘Girl’ math, much like BNPL, relies on the flawed logic of delayed gratification, creating a false sense of wise money habits by seemingly justifying any purchase.
In the context of ‘girl’ math, the philosophy echoes the pitfalls of the self-help industry. While advice may sound appealing, its impact is limited unless internalized and put into practice. The TikTok examples of ‘girl’ math include:
- Considering a sale as a reason to pay more
- Perceiving a rounded-down price as free or a true bargain
- Attempting to justify any purchase that may not make sense for yourself
- Purchasing something in advance to make it feel free when it you obtain it in half a year
If you’ve played some of these tricks on yourself, don’t feel bad. We’ve all been there. After all, we need to live too. We all can’t be financially smart and reasonable every day out of the year but confessing to a poor decision is far better than brushing it under the rug with an excuse or justification. This way we can become stronger investors, spenders, and happier individuals in the future.
This distorted approach to spending is not a new concept, and it’s crucial to scroll past it if encountered online or in your daily life. Succumbing to short-term impulses and rationalizing bad habits only leads to self-sabotage.
Instead, embracing an approach that involves understanding what you can control, setting limits to enjoy life sensibly, and acknowledging that things aren’t as good or as bad as they seem can provide a healthier perspective to life and your wallet.
For everyone, I encourage adopting spending habits that instill purpose — a wise investment for both today and tomorrow. By doing so, you’ll find joy in your choices without the need for constant justification or compromise.
Wishing you happy holidays and a fulfilling financial journey in the new year! Now enjoy what you’ve spent… for real!