I bring coffee to school almost every single morning. It’s a necessity to keep me going throughout the day. But let’s face it: coffee shops are not cheap. At all. Treating yourself can come with a little bit of guilt because spending $6 on a drink every day is not for the weak. Luckily, I have found a loophole for this situation — using a completely new method of logic.
The newly coined term Girl Math — first introduced on TikTok — humorously describes how many women justify their spending habits. This mindset has taken over the internet, with numerous women sharing their specific Girl Math rules, such as Venmo money, refunds, gift cards, cash, and more. Although this lighthearted term may seem silly, does Girl Math actually have merit? There are a few universal rules we can examine.
Rule Number 1: Using cash = Free
Let’s reference my morning coffee habit. I bring a cup to school almost every day, and using Girl Math, I consider it free. How, you might ask? Simple! If I use cash that I have (usually this comes from birthday cards, holiday gifts, or the grandparents), it’s technically extra money. This seems extremely strange, but think about it: if the money never touched my bank account, I don’t have to feel guilty about spending. This makes it feel as though the money wasn’t ever there in the first place since the number in my account didn’t go down. “The [rule] I use the most often is using cash. Since cash doesn’t show up in my bank account balance, when I use it, it’s free money,” senior Emily Suh said. The same goes for any pre-loaded balance on an app. Take the Starbucks app, for example. If I loaded $25 onto the app last week, and I purchase a latte today, it feels like I’m not spending anything. I like to call it “out of sight, out of mind.”
Since I use this rule frequently in my life, I feel a little biased when I say that I support this method of spending because I think it makes complete sense. If the balance in my bank account stays the same and I get to have a pre-made latte for myself in the morning, I’d call that a win-win.
Rule Number 2: Refunds = Free Money
Refunds are a key factor in Girl Math. If I’ve made a purchase of something worth $50 and then I choose to return that item, I’ve basically made $50. Why? That money, which was already removed from my account, comes back to me as bonus money. If I choose to spend it on another item that’s worth $50, Girl Math states that it’s free. On the other hand, if you choose to save that money for another time, you’ve technically just made $50. Venmo follows these same rules: if my friend Venmos me $15 dollars for lunch, I can instantly use that money to buy something that’s worth $15 — and all while feeling like it’s free! Realistically, I think that this rule is slightly less justified than using cash, but it still offers the same thrill of guilt-free purchases.
Rule Number 3: Cost-Per-Wear
When it comes to shopping, Girl Math emphasizes the need for cost-per-wear logic. If I really want a sweatshirt that costs $50, I can wear it 10 times, and it’ll only cost me $5! To go even further, if I wear the sweatshirt 50 times, then it’s practically free. This logic applies not only to clothes but also to makeup, shoes, and accessories.
Out of the three rules, I use this one the least as it’s a bit harder to justify something in the moment when you have to mentally note all the times you’re going to wear something or use an item. However, there is an underlying benefit to this method: it encourages smarter shopping. I started focusing on buying clothes that I know I’m going to wear a lot, rather than just impulsive buying because it’s cute or trendy. Especially in a society that focuses immensely on fast fashion, being mindful about your shopping habits can lead to more sustainable choices, ultimately discouraging you from purchasing items you’ll only wear once or twice.
Is it Girl Math or spending illogically?
While the culture of Girl Math can be a harmless way to justify purchases, it’s important to acknowledge the fine line between fun spending logic and having reckless financial habits. “Girl Math can be harmless up to a certain point, but justifying extremely large purchases can lead to problems in the future,” Suh said. If this mindset is left unchecked, it can encourage reckless spending, where purchases are made without a second thought to one’s financial health.
Despite this, Girl Math can actually inspire sustainable spending. Using cost-per-wear logic or utilizing refunds smartly enables individuals to think ahead and weigh our options while still fostering the enjoyment of shopping. The concept of forward thinking helps reinforce maintainable practices by promoting long-term assessment of items that could be of better financial value in the future, rather than impulsively spending on the next “trendy” piece.
Regardless of the deceiving name, Girl Math isn’t just for girls. Anyone can use these justifications to make spending money more fun. This mindset shift helps you find joy in little purchases and takes some of the guilt away from wanting to treat yourself because everyone deserves a little reward sometimes. At the end of the day, Girl Math isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about happiness. “Because we don’t have to worry about big financial burdens, Girl Math can be used for more fun and leisurely things,” junior Zara San Gabriel said. Adding a little bit of creativity to your day makes life enjoyable, so what’s the harm? Treat yourself to that sweatshirt, those shoes, or that coffee — it’s almost free anyway.
