Girl Math: It’s Just Not Adding Up
If you’ve had any internet access in the past year, I’m sure you’ve heard about ‘girl math.’ First coined on TikTok in 2023, ‘girl math’ is trending all over social media through humorous videos where women justify their spending habits through playful and fun classifications–usually something like paying with cash makes it free, if it’s on sale, you’re making a profit, or how buying an expensive purse an investment for your future self.
Before ‘girl math,’ there was ‘girl dinner,’ a similar concept where dinner is just a thrown-together meal of whatever happens to be in the fridge–mine usually consists of pickles, diet coke, an apple, and chocolate chips.
I love a good TikTok trend as much as everyone else. Though I hope I’m not chronically online, I like going on ‘hot girl walks,’ adding pins on Pinterest to my ‘downtown girl’ aesthetic board, doing pilates so I can be in my ‘clean girl era,’ and girl-bossing it up when I have my suit and heels on. Participating in these trends and adding the ‘girl ___’ phrases to your vocabulary is all part of modern womanhood. After all, the people who created these phrases and use them are usually women wanting to relate to a greater community.
While these trends are undeniably fun and relatable, I can’t help but notice there’s more going on beneath the surface. Although it may seem the internet is gathering around trends that make women feel heard and seen, the connotations behind the words tell a different story. There’s a reason popular, funny trends gravitate towards ‘girl’ instead of ‘woman,’ and it’s not that funny at all.
We usually associate ‘woman’ with empowerment and independence—think about phrases like Women in STEM, Women Supporting Women, or Women in Business. On the other hand, when we see catchphrases like ‘girl math’ and ‘girl dinner,’ the word ‘girl’ is used deliberately because of its carefree, youthful, energetic connotation. But does ‘girl’ really fit the people participating in the trend?
Youth is highly marketable, especially for women–who often receive societal messages emphasizing the value of beauty and youthfulness. With a marketing lens on, it makes sense that ‘girl math’ took off the way it did, with its blasé jokes, fashion-forward energy, and casual take on money management. While it reminds us to take life a little less seriously and have fun making different purchasing decisions, ‘girl math’ can also downplay the importance of financial literacy. Plus, by making jokes about justifying purchases, it could normalize habits of overconsumption, like buying more than necessary or prioritizing short-term satisfaction over long term financial health.
Then again, women are entitled to spend money in any way they please. Sometimes, there is extra pressure placed on women to be financially responsible 100% of the time, but it’s important to acknowledge that everyone deserves to have fun with their money. I’m all for the occasional sweet treat and self-care splurge–and spending money on these things doesn’t negate my financial literacy.
However, while it'’s entertaining to poke fun at our spending habits, wouldn’t it be more empowering if we also highlighted smart investments, budgeting, and long-term financial thinking? Imagine if ‘girl math’ was also about paying yourself first, saving up, and making smart money moves–it would create a more realistic and positive association between girlhood and finance. I could get behind that trend, guilt-free.
The ‘girl math’ trend is great for a laugh, and I would say it succeeds at being humorous and bringing people together. Still, it’s worth considering whether it unintentionally plays into some old stereotypes—like the idea that women aren’t good at math, are shopaholics, or only care about beauty and fashion.
Don’t get me wrong–the people participating in the trend are not, in any way, the problem. These stereotypes about women and money didn’t come out of nowhere; they’re shaped by patriarchal influences that have long been part of how we think about gender roles. There’s a reason why the phrase ‘girl math’ doesn’t evoke images of female mathematicians or women building wealth–it taps into existing ideas about how women are perceived in relation to money. The way women’s financial habits are sometimes mocked or reduced to purchases associated with beauty and fashion reflects entrenched societal influences, including how social media amplifies certain narratives and how these ideas persist in broader society.
When researching different opinions on this trend, I came across a Buzzfeed article that illustrated different examples of ‘girl math,’ most of which I’ve already mentioned (the most outrageous being “When there is a buy-one-get-one half-off sale, we will always take part. We would be losing money if we didn’t, since we get four whole items but only paid for three”). Using ‘we’ helps generalize the statement to all women, when certainly not all women would agree.
The comment section was a mix of humour and frustration, with the most popular opinions suggesting that it’s “just another way to make girls look stupid” and a “great way to further the stereotype of shallow, frivolous females.” The comment that really hit home for me mentioned how ‘girl math’ is a form of financial illiteracy played off as a joke, since it was never and will never be about stacking coupons, making nerdy math jokes, or taking investing seriously.
The conversation on the “girl ___” trends doesn't have to end here. It’s great to participate in trends that help women relate and connect with one another, while also being mindful of the messages they carry. However, maybe it’s time we gave ‘girl math’ a little upgrade. After all, we’re not just ‘girls’ doing math; we’re women capable of shaping our financial futures.
What’s your take on ‘girl math’? Leave it in the comments below!
Beyond the Blog
A place to find hyper-specific media recommendations focused on highlighting our favourite female-centric books and music.
Books
The book nerd in me classifies autumn as the time to dive into the classics. With that cozy academia vibe in the air, I feel more justified in picking up something pretentious, yet rewarding. Here are my favorite literary fiction classics, both old and new, that feel perfectly dark enough for the season.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
“The Bell Jar chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time.”*
Humorous, relatable, dark… Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel is haunting and personal, blending wit with deep emotional complexity.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
“Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.”
This one is impossible to put down. Equal parts fascinating and disturbing, My Dark Vanessa is a gripping psychological read that lingers with you long after.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
“An utterly believable heroine with a bitterly ironic voice delivers a blow to the hypocritical world of high school. She speaks for many disenfranchised teenagers, while demonstrating the importance of speaking up for oneself.”
Though aimed at younger readers, Speak holds a timeless message about finding one’s voice in the face of adversity. It resonates with every generation.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
“At first, their stay at Hill House seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But the house is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.”
A true Fall classic, blending horror and psychological elements skillfully.
*All quotes are from Goodreads.
Music
As the weather turns colder, my music taste shifts toward heavier, grunge-inspired tracks. Though women have historically been underrepresented in rock, the 90s Riot Grrrl movement gave rise to a powerful subgenre where female artists could voice their anger, frustrations, and passions. Here are a few favorites that fall under the Riot Grrrl umbrella that channel those raw emotions
Stupid Girl by Garbage
It’s in the name–sometimes you need to ruminate on mistakes made and missed opportunities, and Stupid Girl is equally validating and motivating.
The Way Things Are by Fiona Apple
My second-most-played song this year—and for good reason. Apple’s haunting lyrics, paired with moody guitar riffs and dark piano chords, capture female anger and frustration to perfection.
Fun Fact: the album the song is on (When the Pawn…) has broken the world record for longest album name ever!
Violet by Hole
I was introduced to Hole after watching Ten Things I Hate About You in tenth grade, and fell in love with its intensity and power. I also wanted to be Kat Stratford, and found that listening to heavier music helped me develop some of her confidence and edge.
Volcano Girls by Veruca Salt
So dynamic and energetic you probably can’t help wanting to head-bang to this one.
Find the full playlist here on our new spotify account!
