In an era where many face financial difficulties, 24-year-old Mia Rose McGrath stands out as an inspiring example of smart money management. The young Londoner, who works in fashion, managed to accumulate nearly £100,000 in savings and investments while maintaining a frugal lifestyle. Her ambitious goal: to retire by 40 at the latest, 26 years ahead of her peers.
With more than 143,000 followers on TikTok (@miarosemcgrath), Mia uses the platform to share her strict approach to financial management. In a video she posted this week, she delivered a clear and sharp message: “Trying to look cool or aesthetic makes you broke.” These are not just theoretical tips—Mia draws from personal experience and admits she too once fell into this trap. She highlights five mistakes every woman makes instead of saving money:
Don’t try to be cool
The first mistake Mia identifies is the excessive spending on appearance for social media. She gives concrete examples: Buying an entirely new outfit or spending £38 on a phone case to look aesthetically appealing on Instagram. Reflecting on her past behavior, Mia admits: “I realized I was doing it for others, not for myself.”
Don’t follow trends
The second trap Mia describes is getting swept up in expensive trends and fashions. She warns: “You don’t need that new item everyone is buying—it’s not essential.” While she supports saving for something “you genuinely love,” Mia offers a practical rule: “I promise if you wait 30 days to buy it, you won’t want it anymore.”
Save, even if it’s very little
The third mistake Mia identifies is the mindset of “not saving because you think it’s pointless.” She directly addresses those who don’t save any of their income and says: “Please change that.” Mia emphasizes: “No matter how little it is, it’s worth doing. I promise—even if it’s £10, £50, it doesn’t matter how little, you’re probably not doing it because of this mindset.”
Mia reveals that she also started small, even when relying on a student living grant. She explains: “I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I thought that saving £50 was pointless.”
Don’t say you don’t have time
The fourth mistake Mia discusses is avoiding a side job due to a supposed lack of time. With a tough-love approach, she says: “Stop using the excuse that you don’t have enough time—you just don’t want it enough.” Mia shares her own experience: “Whatever it was—content creation, building a personal brand, and more—I did all these things while working a 9-to-5 job that required me to be in the office five days a week.”
Don’t rely on others
The final mistake Mia addresses is the expectation that a man will come and solve your financial problems. She warns that it’s irresponsible to think a man is going to come in and make your life easier. Mia criticizes bad advice on TikTok: “There’s so much bad advice on TikTok telling you to show up in your ‘soft feminine energy’ and go sit at a bar where a rich man will find you…”
Instead, Mia stresses: “You need to work hard and have your own money. Sure, if you meet someone who earns more than you—it’s a bonus. Make sure your finances are in order first.”
Public Reactions
Although Mia warned viewers in advance that “you’re not going to like this,” her video was mostly well received. Fan comments included statements like: “No lies detected! If you want to do it, you can—it just takes discipline,” and “The 30-day wait is such a wonderful and helpful thing to do!”
One fan added: “Excellent points! It’s so important to stay aware of expenses and focus on long-term saving.” Others noted: “The amount of excessive consumption I see is wild—it’s so wasteful (not just money, but resources too).”
However, not everyone was fully convinced. One person admitted that financial discipline really isn’t her strength and asked: “What if I still want it after a year?”