'Your Rich BFF' Vivian Tu shares her favorite personal finance tips

The TikTok star and personal finance author offers advice on money conversations, avoiding overspending, and starting to invest.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Vivian Tu, known for her popular TikTok account 'Your Rich BFF,' is sharing her top personal finance tips. The Baltimore native and former Wall Street trader has built a following of 10 million across social media by making entertaining videos about topics like salary negotiation and credit card debt. Tu, who was recently named chief of financial empowerment at fintech company SoFi, recommends having open money conversations with your partner, avoiding impulse purchases, and using robo-advisers to start investing.

Why it matters

As the cost of living continues to rise, personal finance education has become increasingly important. Tu's relatable approach to money management aims to empower a younger generation to take control of their finances and build wealth. Her advice provides practical tips that can help people from all backgrounds improve their financial literacy and security.

The details

Tu, who has published two personal finance books, often connects her interest in the topic to her upbringing as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. She was raised to be frugal and appreciate money from an early age. After working in finance and sales, Tu started her TikTok account in 2021 to share her expertise with a wider audience. Some of her top tips include having open conversations about money with your partner, avoiding purchases driven by a desire to impress others, and using robo-advisers to start investing if you find the process intimidating.

  • Tu started her TikTok account in late 2021.
  • Her most recent book, 'Well Endowed,' was published in March 2026.

The players

Vivian Tu

A personal finance influencer known for her TikTok account 'Your Rich BFF,' which has 10 million followers. She has published two books on personal finance and was recently named chief of financial empowerment at fintech company SoFi.

JPMorgan

The financial services company where Tu began her career as a trader in New York.

BuzzFeed

The media company where Tu worked in sales for a couple of years after leaving Wall Street.

SoFi

The fintech and banking platform where Tu was recently appointed as chief of financial empowerment.

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What they’re saying

“Start early, start often. I always say you have to talk about money on the first date.”

— Vivian Tu, Personal finance influencer

“The most important question to ask yourself before you buy something is: Do I want it or do I want people to know I have it?”

— Vivian Tu, Personal finance influencer

“Are you OK with maintaining your own HVAC, providing plumbing for toilets if something starts leaking at 2 a.m.? If not, you'd be better off having your landlord be on the hook for that.”

— Vivian Tu, Personal finance influencer

“A robo-adviser is the happy medium. What I love about (robo-advisers) is that anybody who doesn't understand investing can be investing in 45 minutes. It is better to start today than to start tomorrow, the sooner the better.”

— Vivian Tu, Personal finance influencer

What’s next

Tu's latest book, 'Well Endowed,' was just published in March 2026 and is expected to further expand her reach and influence in the personal finance space.

The takeaway

Vivian Tu's relatable and accessible approach to personal finance is empowering a new generation to take control of their money. By breaking down complex topics and providing practical tips, she is helping people overcome common financial hurdles and build a path towards greater financial security and independence.