The Loud Budgeting Trend Explained

2/7/2024

Full disclosure: I'm not on TikTok. I get my TikTok trends the same way most people my age do: secondhand and months after the fact.

So you're excused if you've never heard of "loud budgeting." It's a relatively new financial trend on TikTok and if you're wondering what the name means and how it works, we've got you covered.

What is loud budgeting?

Loud budgeting is a trend that's picked up some momentum (specifically on TikTok) in 2024. It emphasizes proudly and openly embracing frugality.

The name is a response to another trend, "quiet luxury," which is all about spending money on high quality, though understated products. Quiet luxury is basically a more subdued version of a wearing your wealth. You still want to look like you spend a lot of money, just not in an overly flashy way.

Loud budgeting, then, is a movement to spend less and talk more about your commitment to tighter budgeting. The "loud" part is all about sharing your experience and openly celebrating your successes as you reach savings goals and find new ways to reduce your spending.

How is loud budgeting different?

The actual budgeting bit of loud budgeting is nothing new. It's all basic, foundational stuff that financial educators have been advocating for years.

Create a structured budget
Track your spending
Set goals and priorities
Avoid impulse purchases
Emphasize building savings

The real change is in how you approach personal finance. While many people still think of money as a taboo subject, loud budgeting demands that you be open and honest about your financial goals. Talk to friends about their goals. Share your progress online. Feel comfortable talking about money and encourage similar openness from those around you.

The hope is that all that sharing will motivate you and your circle to stick to your goals, and help keep you accountable if you lose focus. Loud budgeting also makes it easier to say no when asked to participate in social events that don't fit your budget. On that same note, it can make it easier for you and your friend group to prioritize low-to-no cost opportunities when deciding what activities you want to do together.

Do you need to be on TikTok to do loud budgeting?

I'm not sure anyone needs to be on TikTok, but you certainly don't need any specific social media platform to start loud budgeting. All you need is an interest in improving your financial situation and a willingness to talk openly about your goals, challenges, and successes. Just one friend is enough to start.

Whether or not loud budgeting as a trend is here to stay or is just a flash in the pan, the ideas behind the movement are timeless. But if you need a little more one-on-one help making sense of your budget, we can help. MMI offers free financial counseling 24/7, online and over the phone. No judgment, just expert advice.

Tagged in Budget tips, Psychology and money, Smart shopping

Jesse Campbell is the Content Manager at MMI, with over ten years of experience creating valuable educational materials that help families through everyday and extraordinary financial challenges.

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