While many of us are struggling to stretch our budgets these days, a new personal finance trend on TikTok has people putting a humorous spin on their spending habits. It’s called “girl math” and it’s used to break down the price of an item by cost per wear. It’s a way to reframe splurging on luxuries and justify the expense.
So if you buy a $300 purse, but you use it every day for a year, girl math tells you that the purse only costs $1 each time you use it, which makes it seem like a bargain. Some TikTokers take girl math further, sharing that when you buy something on sale, the amount you save can be considered “found money” that can be spent on something else.
While girl math is mostly lighthearted, some experts say it doesn’t add up. ″‘Girl math’ is just the latest iteration of us trying to rationalize financial behaviors that we know we shouldn’t be doing,” explains Brad Klonz, a psychologist and certified financial planner. But he also notes “Sometimes, girl math is perfect math” because factoring in how often you’ll use or wear an item can help “calm down the emotional part of the brain and turn on the rational part of your brain.”
Source: CNBC
Scott's Thoughts:
- Buying luxury items does feel good, but not as good as being financially secure!
- I have learned the hard way. Leave the credit card in your wallet. If you can't pay cash or debit from your checking, you can't afford it.
- What expensive item have you purchased that’s totally worth the money to you? What have you spent a lot on, but now you regret it?