Who doesn’t love free money? According to the recent TikTok trend “Girl Math,” there are certain circumstances when spending money doesn’t count. Some of those circumstances include using cash, paying for something in advance, buying something on sale, and spending money from apps.
The Washington Post used this example in a recent article by columnist Michelle Singletary: “You might tell yourself that if a friend repays you for their portion of a dinner after you put the meal on your credit card, the cash is basically free money. That’s girl math.”
This new trend has been met with many opposing views. “I believe in Girl Math. I think you just have to lie to yourself to make yourself feel better,” said FCHS sophomore Victoria Scotto Di Vetta.
Thousands of people all over the internet appear to agree with Scotto Di Vetta’s opinion on the new trend. Comment sections on Girl Math videos have been filled with agreements along with additional Girl Math situations from different creators and viewers. ScottoDiVetta added that she herself has used different forms of Girl Math in her everyday life.
The top liked Girl Math video has 751.8K likes and over 6,000 comments, consisting of both support and insults. The 1:14 minute video was favorited 31.8K times, and the simple hashtag “girlmath” had 74.3M views as of Aug. 28. This has led people to wonder whether or not Girl Math is just a joke, or if it’s a serious way of thinking.
“I think it’s just a joke, and that people are making it a bigger deal than it really is,” said Scotto Di Vetta.
While websites and TikTok users continue to debate whether or not the Girl Math trend is actually affecting the way some people view money, others remain in the dark. “I didn’t know a thing about this trend,” said high school teacher Sherry Esch.
On the other hand, some people, such as sophomore River McMillian, think that Girl Math is a ridiculous way to overspend. “I think Girl Math is a stupid excuse to waste money,” McMillian said. “I understand the joke, but I don’t understand the people who are actually using it as an excuse to spend a lot of money,” she continued.
Many TikTok users appear to agree with this view. While some comment sections have positive agreements, others are flooded with users making fun of the trend, and even the creators of the videos.
So is Girl Math simply a silly trend that will soon be forgotten, or will it become an ongoing financial problem? Only time will tell.
