TikTok worth the money trend gets a reality check from financial planners
TikTok users are listing purchases they consider worth the money, while planners point to prevention, time and retirement benefits.
By Maya Okafor · Markets Writer
· 3 min read
The TikTok worth the money trend has drawn hundreds of thousands of views and likes this summer, CNBC reported, as users list purchases from skin care to upgraded airline seats. Financial planners interviewed by CNBC said the useful question is less about a universal shopping list and more about whether a purchase prevents future costs, improves everyday use, saves meaningful time or supports a long-term goal.
That distinction matters for anyone trying to balance spending with saving. CNBC’s report stressed that a purchase can be valuable to one person and offer little value to another, depending on their finances, priorities and plans.
What purchases do financial planners say are worth the money?
Florida-based certified financial planner Jordan Gilberti told CNBC that preventive spending is “almost always worth the money.” His examples included medical and dental care, plus maintenance for a home or vehicle that may help avoid more expensive repairs later. Maryland-based CFP Marguerita Cheng also identified good sunscreen and skin care as spending where she does not cut corners.
Several planners singled out quality products that sit between a person and the ground: shoes, mattresses, tires and office chairs. Spokane, Washington-based CFP Noah Schwab told CNBC that frequent use can make their cost per use low, while inferior alternatives may ultimately lead to medical expenses. That is an opinion about value, rather than a guarantee that a higher price will produce a better outcome.
Time-saving services were another recurring category. Austin-based CFP Kelly Klingaman cited direct flights, biweekly housecleaning and curbside grocery pickup. San Francisco wealth adviser Vishal Kumar said paying others for cleaning or administrative work can return hours and mental space. The trade-off is direct: the service costs cash, so its value depends on whether the saved time is worth more to the buyer than the fee.
Planners also included workplace retirement contributions, which are not a retail purchase at all. South Carolina-based CFP Reggie Fairchild told CNBC that contributing to a workplace account and receiving an available employer match is worthwhile. A match is additional employer money tied to an employee’s own contribution; readers can review how a 401(k) match works and check their plan’s formula, limits and vesting rules.
Which spending decisions depend on your situation?
CNBC placed life insurance in the conditional category. Term life insurance covers a set period and is generally lower-cost, and Florida CFP Erin O’Brien said it may be especially relevant when a spouse and children depend on the earner’s income. Whole life coverage lasts for life and includes cash value. Schwab said it may suit a narrow group of high-net-worth families, while calling it usually an expensive way for young families to invest for retirement.
Home upgrades also require a separate test. CNBC reported that homeowners often do not recover renovation costs at sale. Schwab’s view was to judge an improvement by the years someone expects to enjoy it, rather than assume it will function as a financial investment.
Social-media lists can offer ideas, but they do not replace a review of personal needs and costs. CNBC previously reported that the CFA Institute found disclosures in only 20% of finfluencer posts containing investment recommendations. The institute advises consumers to check a creator’s qualifications and financial incentives and to independently verify claims before acting on financial recommendations.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.
