Millennial Mom of 3 Makes One Change to Budget Plan—Sees Immediate Result

A 33-year-old woman’s new way of budgeting her household’s finances has resonated with viewers online.

Allie Martin, a 33-year-old mom-of-three based in Arizona, sparked widespread discussion about household budgeting after sharing her new approach to TikTok on October 25. The short clip, viewed by over 1.2 million TikTok users, features Martin explaining her new savings strategy: limiting her spending to one day a week. “I saw this girl on here who only spends money one day a week, and I think it’s the most genius thing ever, so I’m gonna try it,” Martin said in the video.

“We are trying to tighten up our finances as the economy struggles, and grocery prices are a big part of where our money is going each month,” Martin, who is a stay-at-home mom working on writing a novel, told Newsweek.

She said her TikTok content is a creative outlet that has also become a platform for discussing family budgeting amid economic struggles. Martin’s experiment with “one-day-a-week” spending has since resonated widely with viewers online. The mom’s budgeting hack taps into a growing interest in financial discipline and “underconsumption,” through trends on social media where people explore strategies to simplify and economize.

“I have been putting this idea to practice for five weeks now, and it has made a big difference in our family budget,” Martin added.

While some viewers praised the method as a straightforward way to reduce impulsive buying, others questioned its practicality. Still, the level of interest in her new approach to spending and the discussion it has sparked in the comments section have left Martin in awe.

“The response to the video surprised me,” Martin said. “It seems like many other people feel financially stretched and are looking for easy ways to manage their budgets.”

Kara Gammell, a personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, weighed in on the burgeoning trend, saying that, while Martin’s approach has merit, it is not without challenges.

“Limiting your spending to one day a week can be an effective strategy for saving money, as it encourages mindful spending and helps avoid impulsive purchases,” Gammell told Newsweek.

However, she said that consolidating all purchases into one day might lead to overspending due to the psychological effect of having a “free pass.” As an alternative, Gammell said you should devote one day a week to avoiding spending altogether.

“This simpler and more flexible approach still allows for unexpected expenses on other days without feeling restricted,” she added.

The comments section of Martin’s viral post reveals the mixed reception that the hack has gotten, and the different ways in which people feel it could work for them.

“I thought everyone did this, on payday I get my groceries I pay rent and bills get petrol and breathe until next pay,” one viewer said.

Another added: “Does this include going out to dinners and weekend activities? Doesn’t seem feasible unless you don’t leave the house.”

“It really makes you take time to think about what you’re buying,” a third posted.

A fourth commented: “Genius, I like the idea of a weekday because weekend me is reckless.”

“The debate is primarily over whether spending money only once a week is feasible and what qualifies as a purchase,” Martin said. “The consensus, which I have seen to be true, is that it primarily helps curb impulse spending, making you more aware of where your money is going and just how much stuff is being sold to you.

“It’s clear that so many of us are looking for ways to make life more manageable in tough times,” she added.

For viewers interested in maximizing their savings but not yet sold on Martin’s hack, Gammell recommends accounts with roundup features.

“Opting for a current account that rounds up your spending and automatically moves the cash to a separate money pot can help you save effortlessly by making small, incremental contributions every time you spend,” the personal finance expert said.

Do you have a monetary dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.