TikTok money trends reflect shifting economic sentiments

Social media trends on TikTok have shaped how individuals perceive and interact with personal finance between 2020 and 2026. These trends, ranging from psychological rituals to economic descriptors, reflect shifting public sentiment regarding the economy.

One prominent trend, ‘Manifest money’, emerged in late 2020. Based on the Law of Attraction, it involves using affirmations and mantras to attract wealth. While it can encourage an optimistic mindset, it is noted as a psychological tool rather than a formal financial strategy.

In 2022, the term ‘Vibecession’ was coined by financial educator Kyla Scanlon. The term describes the disconnect between positive macroeconomic data and the negative lived experience of the general public, capturing the feeling of a recessionary environment despite differing economic indicators.