Financial therapist calls out viral 'money manifestation' trend, slams 'delulu' strategy: 'Take action alongside mindset'

The latest online trend sweeping social media promises that anyone can attract wealth simply by visualizing it. But financial therapist Aja Evans is warning that this “manifestation” craze, popular on TikTok and Instagram, may be giving people a false sense of security about their finances. Speaking at a Northwestern Mutual Psychology and Money luncheon on September 18, Evans told reporters, “Delulu is not a solulu,” criticizing the notion that mere belief can create financial abundance, as reported by CNBC Make It .

Evans explained that while optimism is valuable, it must be paired with realistic actions. “I’m an optimist, so I want to believe in the abundance, and I do, but I also want people to ground themselves in reality as well,” she added.

The Problem with Positive Thinking Alone
Manifesting has become a viral phenomenon, particularly among youngsters. According to the CNBC Make It report, videos under the tag “manifestation” have amassed nearly 9 million uploads in TikTok alon, and “manifestmoney” has over 307,000 videos. Some influencers claim to have manifested large sums of money, including one user who reportedly earned $50,000 in a single day.

Despite its popularity, research suggests belief alone is not enough. A YouGov poll from May 2025 found that 48% of Americans aged 18 to 29 believe manifestation works, but this drops slightly to 46% for ages 30 to 44. Experts like Evans caution that visualization without tangible effort rarely produces meaningful results.

Action Must Follow Intention
Evans says some people may think manifestation works due to confirmation bias. Finding small amounts of money might be interpreted as a “sign,” while bigger financial goals like paying rent or clearing debt remain unfulfilled.

“You need to take action alongside mindset work,” Evans said. “Whether that means applying while you manifest your dream job, creating a financial plan, or getting support to navigate debt, action is needed. Your manifestations may set the direction you want to go, but I need your actions to build out the path for your financial wellness.”

Balancing Mindset and Effort
Manifestation, Evans notes, is not inherently harmful, but it should complement—not replace—concrete steps toward financial stability. She emphasizes the importance of combining positive thinking with practical measures such as budgeting, job hunting, or consulting financial advisors.

Her message is clear: imagining wealth is fine, but assuming money will simply appear without effort is a “delulu” strategy that could leave people financially unprepared.