GIRL MATH OR REAL MATH? THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND SPENDING

Money plays a major role in people’s way of living, but for girls, sometimes it feels like money just grows on trees. Being a girl will forever be one of the best ways to live your life. Growing up, we never truly understood the value of money and often overspent—but isn’t that what being a girl is all about? It’s about believing that the money will come back or finding the latest deals and convincing yourself that you basically got the item for free. For example, if you pay in cash instead of using your card, then what you bought is technically free, right? 

Over the years, social media has given this mindset a name—and we call it “Girl Math.” It’s a girl’s special way of understanding how to spend her money. It also become a way to feel less guilty about spending, by reframing purchases in a way that makes sense to us. Many people use spending as a way to relieve stress or feel better in certain situations. Often, when we make purchases, we feel bad because most of what we buy is wanted rather than needed. But when using Girl Math, you can convince yourself that what you bought is actually a need, which completely changes your mindset. 

Psychologically, there are two main ideas that help explain why “Girl Math” makes so much sense to so many people: 

1. Mental Accounting: This is when we treat money differently depending on how we receive it. For example, if you get money as a gift or a bonus check, you’re more likely to spend it on something fun rather than saving it—because it feels like extra money, not part of your regular income. 

2. Emotional Spending: This is the connection between shopping and mood regulation. Many people find comfort in spending money to help balance out their emotions. Buying something new can bring a quick burst of happiness or control, especially when life feels stressful. 

This just goes to show how one viral trend can change the way we perceive situations and how social media can influence our everyday behavior. “Girl Math” has made a huge impact by giving girls their own creative way of thinking about money. Some people believe it’s foolish or doesn’t make any sense—but Girl Math was never meant for others to understand. It’s strictly for the girls!