Viral TikTok Hack Helps Woman Save $60 a Week on Dinner

In a recent viral TikTok video, Saadiq Ali, a 27-year-old credit union employee from Flint, Michigan, has shared a simple hack that has transformed her dinner routine and saved her $60 a week. The video, which has racked up over 3.7 million views and 15,000 comments, shows Ali cooking in her work clothes, still wearing her badge and with her purse over her shoulder.

Ali explains that the key to cooking more at home is to avoid changing out of your work clothes right away. "Shoes off, but I can't even sit down," she says in the clip. "I gotta start now." By leaving the potatoes she had prepped that morning on the counter, Ali is able to jump right into cooking as soon as she gets home, without the temptation to relax first.

The strategy has paid off for Ali, who says she's been eating out significantly less since adopting the hack in early October. "Eating takeout now can range from $6 to $20," she notes. "By planning my meals and shopping for the groceries once a week, I'm sure I'm saving close to $60 a week -- and probably a million calories."

Viewers have been quick to praise Ali's simple yet effective approach, with many commenting that the "no-nonsense" strategy works for them too. Some have even shared their own variations, such as using a slow cooker or meal prepping on Sundays. However, not everyone is sold on the idea, with some citing hygiene concerns or the need to relax after a long workday.

Regardless, Ali's viral video has inspired her to share more tips, as she believes small hacks from strangers can make a big difference. "Sometimes you may need a small tip from a stranger," she says.