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The Rise of ‘Soft Saving’ Among Gen Z

Recent studies highlight a significant shift in financial priorities among younger generations:

For instance, a 2025 Harvard survey found that over 40% of young adults are “barely getting by,” with only 16% feeling financially secure (Investopedia).

Similarly, an Intuit survey revealed that 73% of Gen Zers prefer a better quality of life over extra money in the bank, and 66% are uncertain about ever having enough money to retire (Investopedia, Intuit®).

These findings indicate a generational shift towards valuing present experiences and mental health over traditional financial milestones, which has led to the rise of the ‘soft saving’ mentality (Investopedia, New York Post).

Practical Steps for Financial Planning in the ‘Soft Saving’ Era

While embracing ‘soft saving’, Gen Z can still maintain financial health through the following strategies:

1. Budgeting with Flexibility

It’s essential to adopt budgeting methods that allow for both necessities and discretionary spending. Here are a few strategies:

50/30/20 Rule: Allocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings (Time, College Ave).
60/30/10 Rule: In high-cost areas, adjust to 60% for needs, 30% for wants, and 10% for savings (Time).

These frameworks, while flexible, provide structure and allow Gen Z to allocate funds in a balanced way. As a result, they can manage both current desires and future savings without sacrificing one for the other.

2. Automated Savings

Utilizing financial apps that automate savings can be a great way to stay on top of financial goals. For example, apps like Piere help users optimize their savings by moving funds from low-interest accounts to those offering up to 4.5% interest (Business Insider). This approach ensures consistent saving without requiring constant attention.

By automating savings, Gen Z can focus on their daily lives while the app takes care of their future financial goals.

3. Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is crucial in the ‘soft saving’ era. Financial experts recommend having enough saved to cover three to six months of living expenses. This fund, while not a top priority for those focused on present enjoyment, ensures that unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or job loss, don’t disrupt financial stability.

In addition, having an emergency fund offers peace of mind, allowing young adults to embrace a more carefree lifestyle without the fear of sudden financial setbacks.

4. Mindful Spending

Prioritizing spending on experiences and items that enhance well-being is an important element of soft saving. For instance, buying a high-quality, long-lasting product might be more valuable than constantly purchasing cheap, disposable items.

By aligning purchases with personal values, Gen Z can ensure their spending contributes to their overall happiness and quality of life.

5. Seeking Financial Advice

Engaging with financial advisors is an effective way to create personalized financial plans. In fact, the 2025 Northwestern Mutual study found that 55% of Americans aged 25–39 consider professional financial advice critical for long-term security (Northwestern Mutual). This step can help Gen Z balance current enjoyment with future financial goals (Investopedia).

By working with experts, young adults can gain a clear roadmap for achieving both short-term and long-term financial security.

Balancing Present Enjoyment with Future Security

While ‘soft saving’ emphasizes present well-being, it is essential for Gen Z to maintain a balance to ensure future financial stability. Here’s how they can integrate future-focused practices into their financial strategies:

Investing Early: Even modest investments can grow significantly over time due to compound interest.
Retirement Planning: Contributing to retirement accounts, even minimally, can provide long-term benefits.
Debt Management: Avoid high-interest debts and pay off existing debts promptly.

By integrating these practices, Gen Z can enjoy the present while still building a solid financial foundation for the future (MarketWatch, Investopedia, New York Post).

Conclusion

The ‘soft saving’ approach reflects Gen Z’s response to contemporary economic challenges, where mental health and present enjoyment take precedence. However, by adopting flexible budgeting, automating savings, and seeking professional financial advice, young adults can navigate financial planning in 2025 effectively.

Ultimately, balancing current well-being with future security will ensure a more holistic approach to financial health, allowing Gen Z to thrive both now and in the future.

References:

Investopedia. (2025). ‘Soft Saving:’ Why Gen Z Is Trading Future Wealth for Present Happiness. Retrieved from Investopedia
Intuit. (2025). 2025 Prosperity Index Study: The New Prosperity Playbook. Retrieved from Intuit®: Complete Financial Confidence
Business Insider. (2025). A personal finance expert saw her friends leaving ‘tens of thousands’ on the table with money mistakes. Retrieved from Business Insider
Northwestern Mutual. (2025). 2025 Planning & Progress Study. Retrieved from Northwestern Mutual
Time. (2024). Why a 60/30/10 Budget Could Be the New 50/30/20. Retrieved from Time

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The Rise of ‘Soft Saving’ Among Gen Z

Recent studies highlight a significant shift in financial priorities among younger generations:

For instance, a 2025 Harvard survey found that over 40% of young adults are “barely getting by,” with only 16% feeling financially secure (Investopedia). Similarly, an Intuit survey revealed that 73% of Gen Zers prefer a better quality of life over extra money in the bank, and 66% are uncertain about ever having enough money to retire (Investopedia, Intuit®).

These findings indicate a generational shift toward valuing present experiences and mental health over traditional financial milestones. In this context, the ‘soft saving’ mentality has emerged as a response to the economic challenges faced by this generation (Investopedia, New York Post).

Practical Steps for Financial Planning in the ‘Soft Saving’ Era

Although embracing ‘soft saving’, Gen Z can still maintain financial health through the following strategies:

1. Budgeting with Flexibility

Adopting budgeting methods that allow for both necessities and discretionary spending is essential. Here are a few strategies:

50/30/20 Rule: Allocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings (Time, College Ave).
60/30/10 Rule: In high-cost areas, adjust to 60% for needs, 30% for wants, and 10% for savings (Time).

These frameworks provide structure while still accommodating individual financial situations. Thus, they allow Gen Z to manage both current desires and future savings without sacrificing either.

2. Automated Savings

Utilizing financial apps that automate savings is a great way to stay on top of financial goals. For example, apps like Piere help users optimize their savings by moving funds from low-interest accounts to those offering up to 4.5% interest (Business Insider). As a result, users can consistently save without needing to monitor their accounts constantly.

Furthermore, automated savings eliminate the temptation to skip saving, ensuring that funds are consistently set aside for future goals.

3. Emergency Funds

Establishing an emergency fund is crucial in the ‘soft saving’ era. Financial experts recommend having enough saved to cover three to six months of living expenses. In this way, Gen Z can handle unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or job loss, without derailing their financial stability.

Moreover, an emergency fund provides peace of mind, allowing individuals to embrace the present without fear of unforeseen financial setbacks.

4. Mindful Spending

Prioritizing spending on experiences and items that enhance well-being is a key element of soft saving. For instance, purchasing a high-quality, long-lasting product might be more valuable than constantly buying cheap, disposable items. Consequently, mindful spending helps Gen Z align their purchases with personal values and long-term happiness.

By doing so, they ensure their money is spent in ways that contribute to their overall happiness, instead of fleeting material desires.

5. Seeking Financial Advice

Engaging with financial advisors can be an effective way to create personalized financial plans. In fact, the 2025 Northwestern Mutual study found that 55% of Americans aged 25–39 consider professional financial advice critical for long-term security (Northwestern Mutual). Therefore, Gen Z should seek expert advice to balance both current enjoyment and future financial goals (Investopedia).

With professional guidance, young adults can gain a clear roadmap to achieving both short-term and long-term financial success.

Balancing Present Enjoyment with Future Security

While ‘soft saving’ emphasizes present well-being, it’s crucial to maintain a balance to ensure future financial stability. Here’s how Gen Z can integrate future-focused practices into their financial strategies:

Investing Early: Even modest investments can grow significantly over time due to compound interest.
Retirement Planning: Contributing to retirement accounts, even minimally, can provide long-term benefits.
Debt Management: Avoid high-interest debts and pay off existing debts promptly.

By integrating these practices, Gen Z can enjoy the present while still building a solid financial foundation for the future (MarketWatch, Investopedia, New York Post).

Conclusion

The ‘soft saving’ approach reflects Gen Z’s response to contemporary economic challenges, where mental health and present enjoyment take precedence. However, by adopting flexible budgeting, automating savings, and seeking professional financial advice, young adults can navigate financial planning in 2025 effectively.

Ultimately, balancing current well-being with future security will ensure a more holistic approach to financial health, allowing Gen Z to thrive both now and in the future.

References:

Investopedia. (2025). ‘Soft Saving:’ Why Gen Z Is Trading Future Wealth for Present Happiness. Retrieved from Investopedia
Intuit. (2025). 2025 Prosperity Index Study: The New Prosperity Playbook. Retrieved from Intuit®: Complete Financial Confidence
Business Insider. (2025). A personal finance expert saw her friends leaving ‘tens of thousands’ on the table with money mistakes. Retrieved from Business Insider
Northwestern Mutual. (2025). 2025 Planning & Progress Study. Retrieved from Northwestern Mutual
Time. (2024). Why a 60/30/10 Budget Could Be the New 50/30/20. Retrieved from Time