They’re not buying this “no buy” advice.
A slew of TikTok influencers are sharing their best money-saving methods for the New Year — but critics say cutting back on indulgences won’t make you a millionaire.
Rach, a content creator who shares videos about her “frugal” lifestyle, went viral this week with her advice on “how to cut back realistically in 2026.”
“This year, if you want to save money, you need to live incredibly below your means,” she asserted. “I’m talking survival mode.”
Rach told her followers to stop ordering DoorDash meals, getting pricey press-on nails, and spending on expensive NFL tickets.
For those who weren’t willing to completely stop spending, the money-minded TikTokker said modifications also make a difference to the bottom line.
For instance, if you still want to go out for dinner, Rach advised, skip dessert and opt for water as the drink to lower overall spend.
However, her advice was questioned by some viewers, including one who wrote: “You can’t budget your way out of poverty. The solution, sadly, is to increase your income. That’s it.”
“I agree,” another viewer responded. “Budgeting is important. But we can’t budget ourselves to death.”
Conversely, many of Rach’s TikTok followers said they’d had success by cutting out indulgences.
“I thought I was broke till I stopped buying so much stuff I didn’t need!” one cheered. “Trust me, it adds up and it makes you realize you can save. I’m very cheap right now and I dont care! Having money is so important right now, especially in this economy.”
Another claimed they spent a staggering $30,000 less in 2025 than they did in 2024 simply by cutting out all unnecessary expenses.
Other TikTok users have also attracted attention with their budgeting advice, with several sharing their “no spend” lists for 2026.
Gen Z content creator Zofi, 26, also went viral on the platform by sharing the “s–t she’s not spending money on” in the New Year, including takeaway coffee that costs almost $8 a pop.
She also vowed only to go grocery shopping once per week and drop the tier of her gym membership.
Some followers claimed they weren’t willing to eliminate indulgences, but said Zofi’s video had made them more mindful about cutting back.
“I make coffee every day but Friday,” one wrote. “I get to buy it as my treat for making it through the week.”
Another agreed, saying: “Tried to do the no coffee thing and found myself getting so frustrated and irritated. Now I have a rule that on Friday mornings, on my way to work, I can stop for a coffee if I’ve brought my own all week. Gives me a goal to stick to,” but also lets me have a treat every once in a while and still save money.”
