In today’s social media landscape, financial advice isn’t just shared by professionals — it’s trending.
On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, a new class of self-styled financial influencers — or “finfluencers” — is offering advice on how to get rich, manifest abundance, and “raise your money frequency.” Wrapped in spiritual buzzwords, pastel aesthetics, and confidence-boosting mantras, these creators are reaching millions of young viewers with promises of fast wealth and financial freedom.
But not all of it holds up under scrutiny. Financial experts and regulators are warning that the surge of amateur advice, especially when blended with “money manifestation” culture, is leading to a dangerous cocktail of misinformation, misplaced trust, and financial risk.
The Appeal of Instant Wealth
At the core of this movement is the concept of money manifestation — the belief that with the right mindset, affirmations, and energy alignment, wealth will naturally flow into your life. TikTok hashtags like #MoneyManifestation, #AbundanceMindset, and #RichGirlEnergy have drawn billions of views.
 |
| "Money Manifestation" and the Rise of Risky Fin-fluencers: A New Financial Crisis in the Making? |
Popular content features creators scripting intentions in notebooks, repeating affirmations like “I attract money effortlessly,” or performing rituals designed to align themselves with financial abundance.
While manifestation practices date back to early self-help philosophies — and gained mainstream popularity with books like The Secret — they’re now being paired with financial strategies like investing, crypto trading, and credit hacking. And that’s where it gets complicated.
“It’s one thing to use affirmations to feel empowered,” says Dr. Lena Morris, a behavioral finance specialist. “It’s another to charge thousands of dollars on a credit card for a supposed ‘vibrational investment’ because someone on social media promised it would attract wealth.”
When Confidence Replaces Credentials
A major concern is that many of these influencers lack any formal financial education or certifications. Some gained followers by sharing personal success stories — like how they paid off debt or built a side hustle. Others lean heavily into spiritual and self-help language while selling digital products such as budget planners, manifestation ebooks, or “financial freedom” coaching sessions — often priced between $20 and $300.
The problem? Many of them are offering advice on credit, investing, or even taxes without the necessary qualifications or regulatory licenses.
“This is where the danger lies,” says Anthony Delgado, spokesperson for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “We’re seeing a rise in consumers losing real money by acting on guidance from untrained, unlicensed influencers.”
So far in 2025, the SEC and FTC have issued over a dozen enforcement actions against finfluencers promoting unregulated or deceptive financial products — including affiliate-backed credit repair services and shady cryptocurrency schemes.
Financial Pressure in a Filtered World
With rising living costs, student debt, and stagnant wages, many young adults feel financially cornered — and the dream of independence is more appealing than ever.
Enter the finfluencer economy: a digital space where creators sell hope, hustle, and high-vibe promises. But the messaging can quickly become misleading.
“These influencers often make it seem like success is just a matter of journaling more or spending smarter,” says Morris. “But that ignores the bigger picture — the structural and systemic barriers young people face.”
Worse, the underlying message of many money manifestation posts is that financial hardship is a personal failure. Didn’t get rich? Maybe your mindset was wrong. Maybe you didn’t believe hard enough.
Combined with algorithms that reward charisma over credibility, this can lead to misinformation spreading at lightning speed. One viral clip can launch an influencer into perceived authority — regardless of whether their advice is sound.
Cracking Down and Calling for Change
As the line between lifestyle content and financial guidance continues to blur, authorities are beginning to step in.
Australia’s financial regulator (ASIC) has already banned finfluencers from offering unlicensed advice. In the U.S., the SEC has launched investigations and rolled out a new “Finfluencer Disclosure Guide” to encourage transparency among online creators.
Meanwhile, platforms like TikTok have taken small steps — banning certain financial ads — but still allow monetized videos offering potentially risky advice.
Financial educators say what’s really needed is a stronger foundation in financial literacy — especially for young people. “We’re not here to shame people for being optimistic or inspired,” Delgado says. “But there’s a big difference between motivation and a well-structured financial plan.”
What You Can Do: Staying Safe Online
If you're engaging with financial content on social media, especially from creators without professional backgrounds, here are a few ways to protect yourself:
-
Verify credentials. Look for certified financial planners (CFPs), licensed advisors, or qualified professionals.
-
Be cautious with bold claims. If it promises quick riches or “guaranteed” returns, be skeptical.
-
Separate mindset from money management. A positive outlook helps — but it’s no substitute for a real plan.
-
Use multiple sources. Don’t rely on one influencer or platform for financial advice.
-
Report harmful advice. Flag misleading content to the platform or the appropriate authorities.
Bottom Line
The blend of manifestation culture and influencer-led finance might be aesthetically pleasing and emotionally uplifting — but when it replaces real strategy with spiritual shortcuts, the risks are real.
Inspiration is one thing. Trusting your future finances to algorithms and unlicensed creators? That’s another story entirely.
Other Articles:
A rising interior design trend involves hand‑drawn motifs on furniture, accessories, and walls—a tactile, artistic rebellion against digital homogeny. This offers a unique angle for DIY, design, or lifestyle blogs.
Unlike the usual flashy Halloween buzz, designers are steering toward minimalist, eco-conscious décor—think organic materials, subtle gothic touches, and vintage-inspired layering.
Urban gardening, home homesteading, and nature-bathing are surging in popularity—especially among Gen Z. Search interest has gone up nearly 3,000%. A niche, lifestyle article around this could really stand out.
A cautionary trend: young people are chasing "money manifestation" practices and unlicensed financial influencers (“finfluencers”), prompting regulatory scrutiny. A timely, investigative piece here could resonate.
Explore how tools like ChatGPT and AI-generated art, music, and personas are reshaping cultural creation—and what it means for human authenticity and creative trust.
