Your feelings about the economy can help you set a smarter money strategy. Massonstock/Getty Images
Potential romantic partners. Your next vacation spot. Whether you should leave a party early. A vibe check can help you evaluate lots of things, including your money strategy.
A June study by Intuit Credit Karma found that 44% of Americans surveyed have done "vibe-based budgeting." Gen Zers and millennials, in particular, are adjusting their spending and savings habits according to how they feel about the economy, not necessarily based on their actual financial situation. For many, anxiety over tariff-induced price increases and layoffs is motivating them to make calculated money moves, such as cutting nonessential spending and boosting savings.
Here's what to keep in mind when factoring vibes into your financial strategy.
Read more: I Spent Years Failing at Budgets. Then I Found the Tips That Actually Work
Emotions affect your money mindset
Vibe-based budgeting is a new term, but it's hardly a new idea. Emotions have always played a role in how we manage our money, even if we don't realize it. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
For example, many of the vibe-based budgeters in the Intuit Credit Karma study are cutting back on non-essential spending (45% of respondents), monitoring their spending more closely (42% of respondents) and avoiding taking on new debt (38% of respondents). These are smart steps to take in any economy, but especially when things are precarious.
It's important to follow the headlines and prepare when things are scary, and channeling your fears into action can help you create healthy money habits that will serve you for years to come. The key is not letting your emotions drive your game plan.
Vibes alone aren't enough
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