Here are the five things I refuse to spend money on in 2026.

@ly5x0k98

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Why it worked

The video likely performed well due to its relatable topic of saving money and challenging common spending habits. The creator's background as a former financial advisor lends credibility, and the listicle format makes the information easily digestible and shareable.

Summary

The creator, Tyler, a former financial advisor, lists five things he refuses to spend money on in 2026: tipping at counters, extended warranties, alcohol, new phones, and excessive clothing purchases. He argues these are often unnecessary expenses that detract from long-term financial goals.

Structure

1Introduction and disclaimer
2Thing 5: Tipping at counters
3Thing 2: Extended warranties
4Thing 3: Alcohol
5Thing 4: New phones
6Thing 5: Excessive clothing
7Call to action

Call to action

Sign up for my free weekly newsletter by clicking the link in my bio, and each week I'll send you over another money playbook that actually works.

On-screen text

The 5 Things I REFUSE to Spend Money on in 2026 Here are the five things I refuse to spend money on in 2026. I'm Tyler. I'm a former financial advisor and portfolio manager. Now I make financial content for free so you don't have to pay for it. No. 5 tipping at counters. Americans tipped nearly $100 billion in 2024. 25% increase from 2020. And the average tipping rate has climbed from 15% to over 20% at sit down restaurants and is now being requested everywhere from coffee counters to self check out kiosks. I didn't agree to a social contract that includes tipping for someone rotating an iPad toward me. I tip generously when someone provides a real service. I do not tip a touchscreen. No.2 extended warranties. Only 1 in 10 vehicle warranty holders ever actually use it. Warranty claims for computers, which have among the highest usage rate of any category, total just 2.7% sales. The extended warranty industry exists because it is wildly profitable for the people who sell it. Tells you everything you need to know about whether it's a good deal for you. Number three: alcohol. I know, The average American household spends about a thousand bucks a year on alcohol. And over a 30 year career invested at 7 or 8%, it's over a hundred thousand bucks. I'm not moralising. I'm not judging. Been there, done that. I just did the math and decided I'd rather have a brand new Denali. I know. Personal finance Sacrilege. And the research on Alcohol's health benefits has also shifted dramatically in the last five years. The "a glass of wine is good for you" has been largely debunked. Number four: a new phone. Apple releases a new phone every year, and the average American upgrades every two and a half years and spends roughly $1100 bucks. The difference between the iPhone 15 and 16 in real world daily use value is approximately nothing. So I'm not early adopting an $1100 dollar phone so I can have a slightly better camera to take pictures of my bloodhounds and number five: clothes beyond what I actually need. The average American spends $1800 per year on clothing and buys 65 garments annually, most of which go on worn within the year. I have a capsule wardrobe. I own fewer things, better things, and I wear them all. The fashion industry is explicitly designed to make last season's clothes feel inadequate. So you buy this season's clothes. I've opted out of that nonsense since I was 20, and my Roth IRA Thanks me accordingly. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter by clicking the link in my bio, and each week I'll send you over another money playbook that actually works.

Original caption

Wondering where to draw the line with tipping? 💲 Join me as I break down 5 things I refuse to spend on in 2026! Let's chat about the tipping culture at coffee shops, warranties, and more. Save for smarter choices! #moneytips #financialfreedom #Budgeting #savemoney #foryou

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Transcript

Here are the five things I refuse to spend money on in 2026. I'm Tyler. I'm a former financial advisor and portfolio manager. Now I make financial content for free so you don't have to pay for it. No. 5 tipping at counters. Americans tipped nearly $100 billion in 2024. 25% increase from 2020. And the average tipping rate has climbed from 15% to over 20% at sit down restaurants and is now being requested everywhere from coffee counters to self check out kiosks. I didn't agree to a social contract that includes tipping for someone rotating an iPad toward me. I tip generously when someone provides a real service. I do not tip a touchscreen. No.2 extended warranties. Only 1 in 10 vehicle warranty holders ever actually use it. Warranty claims for computers, which have among the highest usage rate of any category, total just 2.7% sales. The extended warranty industry exists because it is wildly profitable for the people who sell it. Tells you everything you need to know about whether it's a good deal for you. Number three: alcohol. I know, the average American household spends about a thousand bucks a year on alcohol. And over a 30 year career invested at 7 or 8%, it's over a hundred thousand bucks. I'm not moralising. I'm not judging. Been there, done that. I just did the math and decided I'd rather have a brand new Denali. I know. Personal finance Sacrilege. And the research on Alcohol's health benefits has also shifted dramatically in the last five years. The "a glass of wine is good for you" has been largely debunked. Number four: a new phone. Apple releases a new phone every year, and the average American upgrades every two and a half years and spends roughly $1100 bucks. The difference between the iPhone 15 and 16 in real world daily use value is approximately nothing. So I'm not early adopting an $1100 dollar phone so I can have a slightly better camera to take pictures of my bloodhounds and number five: clothes beyond what I actually need. The average American spends $1800 per year on clothing and buys 65 garments annually, most of which go on worn within the year. I have a capsule wardrobe. I own fewer things, better things, and I wear them all. The fashion industry is explicitly designed to make last season's clothes feel inadequate. So you buy this season's clothes. I've opted out of that nonsense since I was 20, and my Roth IRA Thanks me accordingly. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter by clicking the link in my bio, and each week I'll send you over another money playbook that actually works.