Going Frugal Works
Everyone thinks they're terrible with money—but at least they're better than the young people! Well, Generation Z is quietly perfecting the art of living well on less. Their "weird" habits might actually be surprisingly efficient financial strategies, built from living in the modern world of inflation.
Thrifting Everything
While older generations tend to roll their eyes at Gen Z's "discovery" of thrift shopping, the numbers tell a different story. According to a WGSN survey, more than 40% of Gen Zers actively choose second-hand stores for their clothes, home decor, and furnishing needs.
Thrifting Everything (Cont.)
What makes this habit particularly smart is the multi-layered benefits that critics often miss. Beyond combating the climate crisis that Pew Research Center studies show Zoomers actively advocate against, thrift shopping serves as an escapist hobby that sparks nostalgia while building community.
Loud Budgeting
The phrase "sorry, can't afford it" used to be whispered in shame, but today’s teens have flipped the script entirely. Born on TikTok, "loud budgeting" encourages young people to boldly announce their spending limits and financial boundaries, turning what was once embarrassing into a badge of honor.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com, Pexels
Vegetarian Dieting
Here's a financial reality that might surprise meat-loving folks. According to the US Department of Agriculture, steak costs around $11.49 per pound while chicken runs nearly $4 per pound. If you're struggling with rising living costs, cutting meat can be an economic survival measure.
Vegetarian Dieting (Cont.)
The beauty of this approach to vegetarianism lies in its flexibility. Several individuals argue it's an "easy change" for most people to make, often adopting "flexitarian" lifestyles where they eat meat only a couple times monthly. By cooking plant-based meals at home, you're simultaneously combating grocery inflation.
Home Cooking
Beyond saving money, preparing meals at home also provides substantial health and personal benefits. Eating out is costlier than cooking at home, as restaurant menu prices continue to rise faster than grocery costs. Making a few more meals at home per week can reduce spending.
Living With Parents
Before you dismiss this as failure to launch, stop and reflect. According to Pew Research Center, for the first time since the Great Depression, the majority of Gen Zers are living with their parents into adulthood. The pandemic sparked this trend.
Yuganov Konstantin, Shutterstock
Living With Parents (Cont.)
Such a living arrangement gives young adults opportunities to pay down student loans, build emergency funds, and save for future goals, such as homeownership—luxuries that would be impossible while paying today's inflated rent prices. They use family support as a launching pad rather than a safety net.
Library As Social Space
Libraries are no longer just for quiet study. They’re “vibrant community hubs” where folks can gather, socialize, and participate in events like book clubs, workshops, author talks, and community meetups. This sense of belonging across cultures, identities, and interests is especially valued nowadays.
Library As Social Space (Cont.)
These places also grant free access to books, technology (like computers and Wi-Fi), study rooms, and digital resources. This saves money on educational materials, entertainment, and social activities. With commercial venues growing more expensive, the cost-free nature of libraries is a major draw.
Money-Saving Browser Extensions
In case you didn’t know, money-saving browser extensions are popular financial tools, especially among budget-conscious shoppers and growing adults. These extensions automate deal-finding, apply discounts, track prices, and offer cashback during online shopping, saving both time and money with minimal effort.
Money-Saving Browser Extensions (Cont.)
This system essentially creates passive income from purchases you were already making. The magic lies in the zero-effort approach: install once, save forever. Extensions like Honey and RetailMeNot search for valid coupon codes and auto-apply them at checkout, ensuring you get the lowest available price.
Social Media Deal-Hunting
Influencer culture receives plenty of criticism, but Gen Z has leveraged it to their financial benefit in ways that would make seasoned bargain hunters envious. Rather than falling victim to influencer marketing, they've learned to use social media platforms to access exclusive discount codes and limited-time offers.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com, Pexels
Social Media Deal-Hunting (Cont.)
Short-form videos such as unboxing, “haul,” and “Get Ready With Me (GRWM)” clips are massive drivers of purchase. Simply being a part of hashtag trends like #dealhunting or #dealtok, and following deal-centric accounts, turns saving into a shared, social experience.
Reusable Water Bottles
The Stanley Cup phenomenon might seem like mindless consumerism, but the underlying habit portrays deep financial thinking. With disposable water bottles costing nearly $2 each, a reusable bottle pays for itself within weeks, even if you opt for the trendy $45 version that often gets mocked.
Food Loyalty Programs
Most large restaurant chains and even many local restaurants have these schemes, which usually let customers earn points for each purchase they make. The points can then be exchanged for free menu items, discounts, or exclusive deals. Enrolling is a simple strategy to maximize value.
Food Loyalty Programs (Cont.)
Today's kids are steering away from expensive delivery services like DoorDash with their outrageous fees and instead ordering directly through restaurant apps. Participation is strong across all income brackets, with 76% of high-income and 69% of lower-income customers using these opportunities.
Soft Saving
Forget the "hustle culture" mentality that demands sacrificing everything for financial freedom. Gen Z has invented "soft saving," and others are calling them lazy for it. According to Bola Sokunbi, founder of Clever Girl Finance, this approach prioritizes quality of life over aggressive debt payoff and retirement contributions.
Soft Saving (Cont.)
How? By focusing on feeling fulfilled in the present while still building financial security. The genius rests in the sustainability factor. Soft savers tend to set boundaries around their finances and mental health, protecting themselves from the regret that comes with sacrificing emotional well-being for money.
Roommate Living
The roommate situation has become an art form of resource optimization. For those guys who've managed to move out of their parents' homes, shared living arrangements allow them to access better neighborhoods, larger spaces, and shared amenities that would be impossible on individual budgets.
Roommate Living (Cont.)
Roommates often coordinate grocery purchases, share streaming services, split bulk household items, and craft informal lending libraries for tools, clothing, and other essentials. This collaborative reach towards expenses can reduce individual monthly costs significantly while building sound community support systems.
DIY Knitting And Sewing
The resurgence of handicrafts among Gen Z is economic rebellion against fast fashion and planned obsolescence. By transforming old clothes, bed sheets, or scraps into new items, you avoid the cost of buying brand-new fabrics or products, supporting both your wallet and sustainability goals.
DIY Knitting And Sewing (Cont.)
Handmade hats, scarves, tote bags, and even home decor can be gifted or used personally. In this way, you don’t have to pay premium prices for unique, personalized, or trendy pieces by making your own, and getting custom fits and styles for less.
Public Transportation
Using public transit eliminates many expenses associated with car ownership, including car payments, fuel, insurance, parking, maintenance, and repairs. Even frequent rideshare use can quickly add up compared to unlimited or discounted transit passes. Make sure to use apps to track departure times.
