Let’s be honest: talking about money is largely considered taboo, especially in African households. We are often taught to keep our financial realities—both the struggles and the successes—firmly behind closed doors.
Because we aren’t having these open conversations, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of our modern “buy now, pay later” society. We are constantly driven by image, pressured to use material things to demonstrate our value and success to the world. But a massive shift is happening, and it involves getting vocal about our boundaries.
Enter the newest financial trend pushing back against the secretive, “quiet luxury” aesthetic of 2023: Loud Budgeting.
What Exactly is Loud Budgeting?
Loud budgeting encourages you to talk openly and unapologetically about your financial goals with friends and family, while actively rejecting the societal pressure to overspend.
Described as the exact opposite of quiet luxury, it isn’t about projecting an image of endless wealth. Instead, it is a strategy that helps you make money decisions that genuinely align with your core values. It is about prioritising your long-term financial health over short-term social expectations.
Where Did It Come From?
The movement started as a relatable joke by creator Lukas Battle. He perfectly summed up the concept in a video, explaining that if a friend texts you to hang out, you can simply say, “I don’t want to spend petrol money to come see you and listen to you talk about your ex for three hours.”
The joke took off instantly. His post amassed well over 1.5 million views, with users across the globe eagerly embracing the concept. Battle explained that loud budgeting simply provides new terminology for people to use when they don’t want to spend their money.
Why You Should Give It a Try
Ultimately, loud budgeting gives us the tools to say “no” without the guilt. It provides a framework that doesn’t make talking about money awkward. Instead of making up excuses about why you can’t go to an expensive dinner, you simply state that you are choosing to allocate your Rands elsewhere right now. It takes the shame out of saving and makes financial responsibility the ultimate flex.
