How the ‘Mean Girls’ Characters Would Handle Money in 2026
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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“Mean Girls” premiered in theaters in 2004, making the classic teen film more than 20 years old. The main characters would be 39 to 40 years old right now, putting them squarely in the millennial demographic.
The movie takes place, like many teen movies of the ’80s before it, in a wealthy Chicago suburb. How are the main characters doing today, balancing careers, families and finances?
Cady Heron
Practical-minded Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) would end up nothing like the actress who played the part. After graduating University of Michigan with a degree in biology, Cady goes to work for an animal welfare nonprofit, where she meets her husband. They both have salaries of roughly $130,000 because of their skills and management experience. They live and work just outside Washington, D.C., so they are feeling the cash pinch with three young children.
They spend their summers on African safaris, giving the children amazing life experiences, but Cady refuses to home school throughout the year. They manage because they live frugally. Cady drives a 2023 Honda Odyssey, dresses simply and doesn’t shop as a hobby.
She doesn’t worry about money, per se, but sticks to a budget almost without thinking about it. Cady’s idea of long-term planning wisely includes wildlife conservation and maxing out her 401(k).
Regina George
Regina George, the queen bee of the film, hasn’t changed much. She’s managing aspiring PR professionals at the agency she owns, which represents top fashion and beauty brands.
She’s been married, divorced and married again. She has a 14-year-old daughter who prefers Hot Topic to Hermes, thinks her mom is absolutely cringe and has blocked Regina on TikTok.
Money isn’t a concern in spite of extravagant spending and a $1.5 million house in Westchester, New York. Regina has investments she doesn’t talk about, generational wealth and a solid 401(k) plus college savings for her daughter.
Gretchen Wieners
Gretchen Wieners, Regina George’s indisputable sidekick, is set to inherit the wealth of her father’s breakfast pastry empire. Until that time, she’s doing well for herself, although she still panics about retirement in the middle of the night. She’s married with two kids and a full social schedule. She’s treasurer of the North Shore High School PTA and the go-to Realtor in her Chicago suburb, specializing in homes “perfect for entertaining.”
She also has several side hustles that are more about attention than building wealth. She buys just enough to keep up appearances. On paper, Gretchen is financially secure. Her retirement accounts and investments are managed competently, mostly by her husband, but it doesn’t give her the social reassurance she craves.
Karen Smith
Karen Smith’s career as a weather girl never took off, but it did lead to stints as a model and local news reporter. None of it stuck, but she still did well enough that she didn’t have to worry.
She married a private equity attorney, which allows her to still spend freely without worrying about the immediate future or retirement. She has an 8-year-old daughter who attends private school, a nanny, a housekeeper and an internet following she doesn’t quite understand. She shares DIY crafts and elementary school snack ideas online, earning enough money to cover lunches, cute outfits and cosmetics, along with her GMC Denali, which she hates parking. How does Karen handle money? She doesn’t. And that’s OK with her.
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