The Financial Glow Up with Katia Chesnok: Holiday Edition

Is Boredom Making You Broke? A Holiday Q&A with Katia Chesnok

In our interview with Katia Chesnok, also known as @economikat, she gives tips on how to slow your scroll, say no to debt and stop buying so much.

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Edited by other Published Nov 20, 2025 You might have encountered Katia Chesnok, or @economikat, on your social media feeds, telling you that you don’t need more stuff — you’re just bored. If you haven’t heard of her, she calls herself a “de-influencer” whose advice comes from experience. Impulse spending while bored led her to $40,000 in credit card debt, she said. She paid it off, and now she helps her followers on TikTok and Instagram learn from her mistakes. “We scroll. We feel empty. We’re searching for that dopamine boost, and we try to buy our way out of it,” Chesnok told me. All that clutter around your house? It used to be money, she said. Those new gift ideas and cute filler presents? No one remembers them. As we head into the most tempting time of year, I wanted to do a special holiday edition of the Financial Glow Up. Chesnok’s advice can help us start the new year with less debt and regret. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Focus on moments, not merchandise

Q: The holidays are often seen as a time of joy — and financial stress. What does a holiday “financial glow up” look like to you? Q: The holidays are often seen as a time of joy — and financial stress. What does a holiday “financial glow up” look like to you? A: This might be an unpopular opinion but a holiday financial glow up isn’t about spending more money — it’s about being mindful about our needs and expenses. A: It means having clear priorities. Maybe that means skipping the family holiday matching pajamas or the new Christmas decor and using the ones we already have. The real glow up this holiday season is focusing on moments, not merchandise. Q: Can you share a personal story of a time you got creative with your holiday budget? Q: Can you share a personal story of a time you got creative with your holiday budget? A: A few years ago, I decided to do a no-gift Christmas for adults in my family. I baked, wrote letters, hosted a potluck and planned small experiences instead. No one missed the store-bought gifts, and my stress dropped to zero. A:

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Mute the madness

Q: The holidays are peak influencer season — constant sales, gift guides, affiliate links. How does your deinfluencer philosophy show up during this time of year? Q: The holidays are peak influencer season — constant sales, gift guides, affiliate links. How does your deinfluencer philosophy show up during this time of year? A: I remind my audience that you don’t have to buy to belong. Every sale post is designed to make you feel like you’re missing out, even when you’re not. A: I focus on sharing ways to enjoy the season without mindless spending, overconsumption, and reminding followers that skipping trends is a financial flex. Q: Retailers are masters at creating FOMO — countdown timers, “only 3 left” messages, early access emails. What are your favorite ways to tune out that noise? Q: Retailers are masters at creating FOMO — countdown timers, “only 3 left” messages, early access emails. What are your favorite ways to tune out that noise? A: Unsubscribe from the emails. Mute the ads. Replace scrolling with something that gives you a real dopamine boost, like going for a walk, cleaning your space, baking or journaling. Find real-life sources of satisfaction so that you’re not chasing fake ones online. The less you expose yourself to ‘hurry, last chance’ marketing, the calmer your wallet (and mind) will be. A: Q: What do you think about the growing number of people who rely on financial advice from "finfluencers" online? Q: What do you think about the growing number of people who rely on financial advice from "finfluencers" online? A: I have mixed opinions about this. While I love that more people are talking about money and finance online — and openly, after being a taboo for so many years — I don’t like that some finfluencers are giving financial advice without being registered to do so, or that some of them are selling a get-rich-quick scheme. A: Some of them are telling you which stocks to buy, telling you to buy crypto, etc. Don’t completely believe everything you see online. Stay curious and do your own research, especially when it comes to your money. Always protect your finances. » Prep like a pro for holiday savings: Financial Glow Up tips from our Q&A with @pricelesstay » Prep like a pro for holiday savings: » Prep like a pro for holiday savings:

Debt? Just don’t

Q: When should people realistically start budgeting or saving for holiday spending? If someone hasn’t budgeted for the holidays, what should they do now? Q: When should people realistically start budgeting or saving for holiday spending? If someone hasn’t budgeted for the holidays, what should they do now? A: Ideally, start in January. Even $25 every month adds up. But if you haven’t, create a mini holiday fund. Set a budget cap today to see how much realistically you can spend per person. Use cash or debit only, and focus on low-cost or free holiday traditions. A: Q: Some 15% of Americans used buy now, pay later in 2024. What are your thoughts on BNPL, especially now that these micro loans will start appearing on FICO credit reports? Q: Some 15% of Americans used buy now, pay later in 2024. What are your thoughts on BNPL, especially now that these micro loans will start appearing on FICO credit reports? A: Buy now, pay later is basically a soft loan disguised as convenience. If you can’t afford it now, you’re just borrowing from your future self. And with these payments starting to hit FICO reports, it’s not as harmless as it seems. Use BNPL only if it’s something essential and you already have the money saved. Otherwise, it’s a debt trap wrapped in pretty marketing. A: Q: A lot of people justify extra spending during the holidays by thinking, “I’ll cover it with my bonus or tax refund later.” How can they still enjoy the season without a financial hangover? Q: A lot of people justify extra spending during the holidays by thinking, “I’ll cover it with my bonus or tax refund later.” How can they still enjoy the season without a financial hangover? A: That mindset is how short-term joy turns into long-term stress. Instead, flip it. Use your bonus to get ahead, not catch up. You can still celebrate — just set limits and focus on meaning, not volume. Use what you already have before buying anything new. A: » Live well without overspending: Financial Glow Up tips from @MrsDowJones » Live well without overspending:

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So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
Explore more on About the author Barroso Amanda Barroso, Ph.D., is a writer and content strategist helping consumers navigate budgeting, credit building and credit scoring. Before joining NerdWallet, Amanda wrote about demographic trends at the Pew Research Center and earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her work has been featured by the Associated Press, Washington Post and Yahoo Finance. Published in How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money PricelessTay: Helping Gen Z Grow Wealth in New Ways — After Being Priced Out of the Old By Amanda Barroso The Broke Black Girl: ‘I Budget for Joy No Matter What’ By Amanda Barroso Mrs. Dow Jones: Take Care of Future You So Present You Can ‘Vibe’ By Amanda Barroso How to Make Passive Income: 16 Strategies to Try By Alana Benson, Sabrina Parys What Is Revenge Saving (and Should You Be Doing It)? By Kate Ashford, WMS™