FinTok Revolution: How TikTok’s Financial Side Is Educating Every Generation
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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If you haven’t heard of the FinTok Revolution, it’s in full swing — and not just among the most tech-savvy generations. All generations, including Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and boomers are riding the FinTok train. According to a Talker Research survey, conducted on behalf of the fintech Chime, 68% said doing so has improved their financial situation at home — and 53% reported they plan to use FinTok more this year than last.
Here’s how every generation is gaining knowledge from the financial side of TikTok.
Be aware, though, that TikTok also has plenty of bad advice: Find out why it’s the riskiest social media platform for financial advice.
How Much Knowledge Has Each Generation Gained?
Although younger generations are taking advantage of the information on FinTok more rapidly, boomers aren’t slackers. According to the survey, Gen Z gained 49 pieces of financial advice on average, while millennials gained 44. Boomers picked up an average of 32 pieces of advice from the financial arm of TikTok.
A far as the most-searched terms on FinTok in 2024, the top five were as follows:
- Budgeting/Saving: 25%
- Investing: 24%
- Credit/Credit Scores: 22%
- Inflation: 20%
- Cash Flow: 19%
Where Different Generations Got Financial Information Before
Before FinTok, survey respondents said they usually got their financial advice from family members (47%) or friends (40%). For those who preferred to get their information online, 40% got it from other social media sites, while 37% leaned on financial websites or blog posts.
Additionally, 27% of Gen Z learned about finances in school or an educational setting — over three times more than Gen X or baby boomers.
However, 50% said FinTok’s financial information is superior to other platforms they’ve used.
FinTok Trends Different Generations Tried in 2024
FinTok users tried different trends in 2024 with an average of 44% being successful. Success was defined as seeing benefits (46%), learning something new (36%) or feeling more financially confident (33%).
The top trend was side hustling at 38%, and one quarter of users tried the “pay off debt trend.” Other popular trends included passive income (25%), crypto investing (20%) and cash stuffing (17%). Twenty percent of survey respondents also reported trying the no-spend challenge, and 16% opted for the 100 envelope method.
Social Media for Financial Planning — Not Just a Passing Trend
The use of FinTok for financial planning is something the majority of respondents are willing to talk about: 76% reported being open with friends and family about it. Millennials reported being the most open about their FinTok usage — 36% said they were “very open” — compared to under a quarter of boomers.
Overall, 44% of respondents agreed that people who don’t use social media are putting themselves at a disadvantage — not just in a financial sense but also in a cultural sense.
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