Cuban native Malia Llovet recently took to TikTok to reveal five personal finance habits she employs to keep her budget in check. Her video, which emphasizes personal financial awareness, sparked a significant reaction among her followers on Monday.
Llovet emphasizes that her choices are personal and not intended as criticism of others who may choose differently. Her guiding principle: prevent minor recurring expenses from quietly depleting your budget.
The first habit she practices is avoiding beauty salons. "I don't allow myself to turn something like getting my nails or hair done into a regular expense," she explains. Instead, she opts for at-home treatments, investing in a gel lamp she describes as a "one-time expense, a one-time investment."
As her second rule, Llovet never orders food delivery, regardless of circumstances. "I never, ever order food to my house. I don't allow myself to cross that line where, if I don't feel like cooking, bringing the restaurant home becomes an option," she asserts.
Her third strategy involves avoiding impulse purchases by employing the 24-hour rule. "If I see something I like, instead of buying it on a whim, I wait 24 hours. If the next day I still want it or realize I truly need it, then I make the purchase," she explains. Consumer behavior experts support this technique, noting that 80% of impulse buying urges dissipate after waiting a day.
The fourth habit she follows is avoiding fixed subscriptions to entertainment platforms. Llovet subscribes only for the month she wants to watch a specific series and then cancels. "I always try to stay aware of regular payments because sometimes you pay for subscriptions you eventually forget about," she cautions.
The fifth approach is resisting the urge to chase the latest technology. Llovet held onto her iPhone 11 for over four years before upgrading to an iPhone 17 Pro, despite the annual release of new models.
This kind of content reflects a growing trend among Cubans abroad who share their savings strategies on social media. In February 2025, a Cuban in the U.S. went viral questioning whether his compatriots came to spend or to save. That same year, another Cuban creator shared insights on thriving as a couple by pooling incomes to save and invest. Earlier this year, a Cuban woman in the Netherlands shared how she transitioned from living in a windowless basement to owning a home in four years, thanks to strict spending control.
Llovet concluded her video with a quote from Morgan Housel's book, The Psychology of Money: "Happiness is not having more, but learning to be happy with less."
Financial Habits and Saving Tips
Why does Malia Llovet avoid beauty salons?
Malia Llovet avoids beauty salons to prevent these services from becoming a recurring expense. She opts for DIY treatments at home, making a one-time investment in tools like a gel lamp.
What is the 24-hour rule for purchases?
The 24-hour rule involves waiting a day before making a purchase to curb impulse buying. This waiting period often reduces the urge to buy unnecessary items.
How does Llovet handle entertainment subscriptions?
Llovet pays for entertainment subscriptions only when she intends to use them, such as for a specific series, and promptly cancels afterward to avoid unnecessary recurring charges.