Jess, a TikTok creator, recently shared a viral video arguing that no-spend or low-spend New Year’s resolutions for 2025 are doomed to fail. In the clip, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, Jess compared these financial resolutions to going on a diet, suggesting that they are centered around deprivation and likely to have similar outcomes. “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 video.
She pointed out 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. Jess explained, “You’re just going on a financial diet instead of a food diet. And both of these are centred around deprivation.” She added that depriving yourself will just lead to suppressing desire the same way dieting suppresses hunger.
Instead of a “no-spend year”, Jess proposed that people should focus on a “heal my relationship with money and become financially literate year.” She emphasized that this approach isn’t centered around deprivation but rather education and healing. According to a financial resolutions study, short-term savings goals are taking center stage for Americans in 2025.
Critiquing new financial resolutions
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, and healthcare savings. Personal finance expert Stanek believes that the problem isn’t resolutions themselves but people’s attitudes toward them.
He suggests 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, Stanek recommends identifying a specific area of spending to scale back on and setting a measurable reduction goal.
Stanek also advises finding a financial accountability partner, such as a trusted friend or family member, and scheduling regular money dates 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. Finally, he encourages celebrating your progress, as rewarding yourself for milestones can boost motivation and keep you committed to your financial goals.
While no-spend resolutions are trending, financial experts suggest that focusing on financial literacy and developing a healthier relationship with money may yield better results. Setting specific, attainable goals and finding support in a financial accountability partner can help make financial resolutions a lasting success.
