Girl Math VS Boy Math: a TikTok View

In the world of personal finance, we observe a fascinating new phenomenon in social media called “girl math” and “boy math,” two different approaches to rationalizing expenditures and making everyday financial decisions. “Girl math,” a trend that initially showed up on social media, is about the notion of reinterpreting spending with humor. Advocates of “girl math” often employ interesting strategies to justify their spending choices. For example, they might consider timing their hair washing to coincide with weekend plans, essentially turning the expense into an investment in their social life. Another classic example involves spending a little extra to qualify for free shipping, portraying it as a shrewd savings strategy. “Girl math” encourages individuals to redefine their financial decisions with a playful twist and acknowledges that time, convenience, and money can be seen as interchangeable currencies.

On the flip side, “boy math” has emerged as a counterpoint to “girl math.” It takes a more direct, satirical approach in pointing out specific behaviors and perceptions often we attribute to men and how they rationalize their spending choices. Some instances of “boy math” expose the absurdity in traditional gender roles and expectations. For example, it might highlight the discrepancy of wanting a traditional wife while simultaneously labeling her a gold digger for expecting financial support. This tongue-in-cheek approach to gender roles and stereotypes playfully underscores how men may navigate societal expectations and perceptions, especially in the context of personal finance.

To provide more examples, “girl math” often includes scenarios like planning an evening around a dinner reservation and meticulously calculating when to start getting ready, with the answer always being earlier than expected. Additionally, “girl math” might involve reevaluating the cost of clothing based on the number of times it’s worn, like a $50 sweater worn 50 times, which translates to a cost of just $1 per wear.

On the other hand, “boy math” can extend to scenarios where men humorously overestimate their abilities or adopt a unique reasoning. For instance, believing they could successfully pilot a plane after watching a few videos or exaggerating their height, claiming to be 6 feet tall when they’re actually 5’10”. “Boy math” exposes how men sometimes navigate the fine line between self-assuredness and overconfidence in various aspects of their lives, including finances.

In essence, “girl math” and “boy math” serve as amusing lenses through which to view our attitudes toward finances, gender roles, and societal constructs. While these concepts might appear to be lighthearted on the surface, they offer insights into the multifaceted ways people interact with their financial decisions and challenge or embrace traditional stereotypes. Ultimately, they remind us that personal finance is not solely about numbers but also about the narratives we construct around our choices and the societal expectations that influence them.