Unlocking #GirlMath, the viral TikTok trend that spotlights the power of self-care on a budget
In an era where financial decisions are magnified by the taps of an app and the allure of small purchases often holds significant sway, a new phenomenon has taken hold – #GirlMath.
The concept of #GirlMath encapsulates a peculiar yet relatable way of rationalizing spending, one that transcends mere arithmetic and delves into the realm of personal justification and empowerment. If your morning latte costs less than your daily commute or if that sale item feels like a steal even if you didn’t intend to buy it in the first place, you might already be practicing #GirlMath.
This trend, though initially rooted in humorous musings, has evolved into a sweeping cultural movement, reflecting how individuals, primarily young women, are redefining self-care through their spending habits.
The New Zealand podcast Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley helped start the trend and hashtag that’s taken over social media with over 86.8 million Tiktok views and counting. On the podcast, women began to call in to get the hosts to justify their giant purchases.
Breaking it all down
Primarily embraced by young women, #GirlMath is about finding ways to justify both big and small purchases in order to attain what they genuinely desire. This concept intersects with the principles of behavioral economics, as explained by Jadrian Wooten, a economics professor at Virginia Tech and author of the book “Parks and Recreation and Economics.”
Wooten simplifies this further on his blog, “Monday Morning Economist.” For instance, when you return items you no longer want and receive a refund, you might feel like you’ve gained extra money. This feeling is tied to the idea of “sunk cost,” which #GirlMath reinterprets. Wooten clarifies that when you practice #GirlMath, the money you’ve spent is seen as already spent, and by returning an item, you essentially regain that spent money to use on something else. This perspective can make it more acceptable to spend on self-care, even during challenging economic periods.
Under the hashtag, women have uploaded their own sets of rules. “If something is on sale and I don’t buy it, I’m losing money. If I don’t buy a beverage today, I’m making money. If I don’t spend enough to get free shipping, I’m losing money,” lists Tiktok user Daniela Soto.
However, #GirlMath can look different for each person depending on where they are in life financially and emotionally, according to Tamara Harris, Ph.D., a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor and mental performance consultant.
“You really have to look at where the individual person is and what’s good for them,” Harris said. “I may not be able to afford a Beyonce ticket…The next person may be able to do that. But if that’s filling their cup, boosting their self esteem…mood and their overall being…And they see that as self-care, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
What does this have to do with mental health?
Like any social media trend, there’s its fair share of haters. Tiktok user and self-proclaimed zillennial financial expert Haley Sacks, posted a video saying that #GirlMath “isn’t cute. It just perpetuates the stereotype that women aren’t smart enough to manage money.” This criticism is incredibly outdated though, according to Cheryl Cruzot, President Emeritus of Wealth Development Strategies, LLC, a full-service financial planning firm based in Houston, Texas. Cruzot currently has 37 years of experience in the financial industry.
“I believe that’s an old stereotype carried over from the past where women didn’t vote or work and were viewed as less than a man,” Cruzot said. “That stereotype is completely unwarranted with the gains that women have made in education and all areas of business. Responsible spending as part of an overall financial plan is sensible for all.”
There’s work to be done surrounding how women’s mental health and self-care is perceived and addressed. The American Psychiatric Association reported that “each year, one in five women in the United States has a mental health problem such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or an eating disorder.”
When it comes to communities of color specifically, a lack of resources in needed areas and distrust of the medical system causes them to suffer more. For example,according to SAMHSA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “16% (4.8 million) of Black and African American people reported having a mental illness, and 22% of those (1.1 million people) reported a serious mental illness over the past year.”
“I feel that the #GirlMath trend, while it worries some financial experts, can be championed as a teachable moment regarding mental health and self-care for many women, especially African American women across the country,” said Dr. Dauphine Billingsley, the owner and director of D. L. Billingsley & Associates, a family services and counseling company. “Historically, African Americans have been dehumanized and oppressed physically, mentally, and financially.”
Expanding on this perspective, she continues to emphasize that practicing #GirlMath correctly can be a manifestation of female autonomy, strength, and empowerment, resonating as a form of radical self-care – a conscious decision to prioritize personal well-being above all else.
“Knowing what you need is an essential part of self-care,” Billingsley said. “In essence, women should be mindful and in control of their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.”
It’s important to seek professional help if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Nevertheless, it is just as important to make sure you are taking care of yourself as well. Even if that means dropping some extra bucks.
A PSA: That doesn’t mean blow your checking account
Nothing says anti-self care like spending all your rent money now and causing your future self to suffer. There are methods for everyone to prioritize self-care while also being financially responsible.
“Really know who you are and your worth,” Harris said. “Regardless of what’s going on around you, your self worth is key. You’re doing what you need to do and things that you feel like you need to do to unplug and take care of yourself, regardless of what’s going on around you.”
Samantha Pittman, who serves as the senior accountant of accounting firm Timothy E. Brown, CPA, LLC with over “five years of not-for-profit audit and tax preparation experience,” broke down a simple self-care budget in five easy steps:
- “Put self-care as a line item at the top, instead of towards the bottom. Items like clothes, movies and indulgences go towards the bottom.”
- “You want to view self-care as a necessary expense. Necessities like health care premiums, car notes etc.”
- “If you’re just starting off building a budget, start off with a small self-care allowance.”
- “Research inexpensive self-care routines that won’t break your budget.”
- “Sometimes self-care is simple. It could be prioritizing your therapy sessions. That could be increasing your therapy sessions during the month, which would increase your therapy budget…Make sure you’re asking yourself if that purchase aligns with your self-care goals…Leftover funds should be moved to savings.”
It’s more difficult to focus solely on the only opinion about your spending and beyond that matters – Your own. Nevertheless, one step at a time and change can happen.
At the end of the day, “the #GirlMath trend has to be practiced with an intent to preserve or improve one’s self, life, and future, not just a justification for frivolous spending or increased debt,” Billingsley said.