Jan 19, 2025
New Year’s resolutions for no-spend 2025 are dominating online discussions, but one TikToker is highlighting the pitfalls of this popular financial strategy.
No-spend or low-spend resolutions are doomed to fail, argued Jess (@thisradlife) in her viral video, “Why a no-spend year is a terrible idea,” which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views.
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“A no-spend year? Y’all, that’s the equivalent of going on a diet for the New Year. You know that right? And we all know how well those turn out,” Jess said in the clip.
The trend, largely driven by women aiming for financial security, may actually set them up for disappointment, the TikToker argued. She suggested that many people adopting no-spend resolutions likely struggle with severe shopping or spending habits and are seeking to go from one extreme to the next.
“You’re just going on a financial diet instead of a food diet. And both of these are centred around deprivation,” Jess explained, adding that depriving yourself will just lead to suppressing desire the same way dieting suppresses hunger.
Instead of a “no-spend year”, Jess proposed, people should do a “heal my relationship with money and become financially literate year … This isn’t centred around deprivation. This is centred around education and healing.”
2025 financial resolutions focus on saving
Short-term savings goals are taking center stage for Americans in 2025, according to a 2025 financial resolutions study by Fidelity Investments. This year, 55% of Americans plan to save for immediate needs, up from just under half in 2024.
Popular short-term goals include paying down credit card debt and covering mortgage payments, while long-term goals focus on retirement, college savings, health care and health care savings.
Debt reduction, cutting expenses and building emergency savings are among the next most common resolutions. Living practically is expected to define personal finance trends this year, Fidelity reports.
The emphasis on saving may be fueling the rise of the no-spend movement. Women, in particular, are setting ambitious financial goals but remain less likely to have emergency funds for unexpected setbacks, the study found.
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Emergency savings remain a major concern, with 79% of respondents planning to build up their rainy-day fund. Nearly three-quarters of Americans faced unexpected financial challenges in 2024, and almost half had to dip into their emergency reserves.
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How to make your New Year’s Resolution a reality
The problem isn’t resolutions themselves but people’s attitudes toward them, says personal finance expert Becca Stanek.
Stanek advised that resolutions should be specific, concrete and attainable. No-spend or low-spend goals can feel too broad, as some spending is unavoidable and unexpected expenses will arise.
Instead, identify a specific area of spending to scale back on and set a measurable reduction goal.
Stanek also recommends finding a financial accountability partner, such as a trusted friend or family member. Schedule regular money dates with your financial accountability partner to review how you’re staying on track.
A budgeting app can serve as both an accountability tool and an unbiased lens on your spending habits. Several top-rated apps are available to help you monitor your finances.
Finally, celebrate your progress, Stanek advised. Rewarding yourself for milestones can boost motivation and keep you committed to your financial goals.
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William Koblensky Varela is a Staff Reporter at Wise who has worked as a journalist for seven years covering finance, local news, politics, legal issues and the environment.
