Blink and you’ll miss it: the world, and your child’s relationship with money, is nothing like the piggy bank years you remember.
If you’ve ever tried to tell your Gen Z-er to “just save it” (usually money, occasionally leftover chips), you’ve probably gotten an eye roll impressive enough to merit its own TikTok channel.
Turns out, “just save it” landed somewhere between “Because I said so” and “You’ll understand when you’re older” on the list of things that guarantee zero results these days.
Time to unpack why the old advice doesn’t cut the mustard—and what busy parents can actually do when “just save it” doesn’t stick.
Gen Z Grew Up in a Different Economy
Picture 2008. Financial crisis, anxious headlines, and parents whispering about job losses over the dinner table.
For Gen Z, this was background noise during their formative years, paired with ballooning university costs and news about stagnant wages.
Saving, for them, isn’t about stashing pennies in a jar; it’s survival in a trickier and pricier world, where even iced coffee seems to cost more every month.
Research from Morning Consult found that 72% of Gen Z worry about the cost of living more than any other generation—even before the age of 25.
When the basics feel uncertain, “just save” sounds a bit like “just buy a house with your lemonade stand profits.”
Instant Everything, Including Temptations
Every purchase is a thumb tap away. Those “buy now, pay later” schemes? Gen Z was weaned on them.
A 2023 report from Pew Research Center highlights that more than half of teens shop online at least weekly.
The dopamine hit from snagging a new pair of trainers in your feed is far more enticing than the vague satisfaction of watching numbers creep up in a savings account.
And why wouldn’t it be? “Just save it” is all discipline, no reward. Online shopping, on the other hand, is confetti and fireworks for the brain.
The old piggy bank never had to compete with next-day delivery.
Financial Literacy Lessons—Or Lack Thereof
Here’s the rub: while parents want their kids to save, few schools teach practical financial skills.
The National Financial Educators Council revealed that only 17 states in the US guarantee a full semester of personal finance before graduation.
The rest? Children are expected to pick it up from somewhere—usually by making mistakes.
Handing down “just save it” without context is a bit like tossing your teen the car keys without explaining what a roundabout is. Gen Z needs more: the “why” and “how,” served up in a way that makes sense to them.
The Social Media Comparison Trap
Back in your day, you compared sneakers with the other kids at school. Gen Z compares lifestyles with millions of strangers online—everyday. That means every scroll comes with a side order of, “Why can’t I have that?”
Social platforms are relentless engines of FOMO, and saving gets pitted against the endless, curated highlight reel of someone else’s spending.
Try telling your 15-year-old to “just save it” when influencers their age are showing off apartments, cars, and “side hustles” that apparently pay for both.
It’s not just a spending habit problem; it’s a self-worth problem, too.
Saving Feels Futile to a Generation That Wants Change
Gen Z is practical, almost to a fault. Research from McKinsey shows they care about the future—they’re planet-conscious and politically engaged.
But when news cycles overflow with climate anxiety and talk of an impending recession, socking away a tenner feels more like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Saving for a far-off future that feels uncertain? Not very motivating. Many would rather invest in experiences or causes that matter today.
The Rise of Investing and Side Hustles
Gen Z wants control. If you think back to your own teen years, “investing” might have sounded like something your dad did with a briefcase and a newspaper.
For Gen Z, apps like Robinhood and social investing platforms have demystified the process.
According to a FINRA study, 41% of Gen Z adults already own stocks or cryptocurrencies—double the rate of millennials at the same age.
And then there’s the “side hustle” economy. Whether it’s Depop, Etsy, or dog-walking, Gen Z expects their money to work as hard as they do.
“Just save it” sounds passive, almost lazy. Active money management is their new normal.
What Actually Works for Gen Z
If “just save it” rings hollow, what’s a stressed parent to do? No, you don’t need to buy Dogecoin or choreograph a TikTok. Here’s what lands better:
Relate Saving to Their Real Goals
Ask what your child wants—really wants. A trip with mates? That concert ticket? Saving for a specific goal feels less like deprivation and more like a plan.
Apps such as Goalsetter or YNAB (You Need A Budget) let teens visualize progress. Suddenly, saving isn’t just for some rainy day. It’s for Taylor Swift tickets, and that’s motivation.
Let Them Own Small Financial Decisions
Giving teens some control—mistakes and all—teaches more than any lecture. If your Gen Z-er wants to splurge on something silly, let them.
Watching the balance go down stings in a way “just save it” never will. Next time, they’ll probably think twice.
Try prepaid debit cards designed for teens, such as Greenlight or GoHenry. These tools give kids the independence they crave, with the safety net you need.
Talk About Money—Openly and Often
Money shouldn’t be the family’s best-kept secret. Share your own wins and fails. Admit if you’ve also bought stuff you regretted (hello, exercise bike-as-clothes-hanger).
Honest conversations make money less mystifying, more manageable.
When your child asks how you manage bills or why you use certain apps, answer them. Even if you feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants, you’re miles ahead of radio silence.
Teach Them to Question the Hype
Every ad, every influencer is selling something—even “authenticity.”
Teach your teen to pause before buying, asking: “Do I want this, or do I just want to look like I have it?” Help them spot marketing tricks, like “only 3 left!” or “limited-time offer!”
Turning a suspicious eye to ads is a modern life skill, right up there with changing a tyre.
Encourage Earning and Experimenting
Babysitting, pet-sitting, selling old trainers—earning cash gives saving its full context. Suddenly, every pound has a backstory. There’s nothing like sweating over a summer job to make mindless spending less tempting.
Support their interest in side hustles, but help them ask the right questions: What’s the time investment? What’s the real profit after costs? Is it sustainable?
This primes them for future financial decisions, not just piggy bank basics.
Rethink What “Saving” Means
For Gen Z, “saving” might look quite different. Maybe it’s investing spare change through apps like Acorns, or contributing to a charity they care about.
Instead of forcing them into your own savings mold, celebrate any move towards financial consciousness.
If your child tracks spending, sets aside part of their allowance, or even donates to causes, they’re developing habits that last far longer than a full piggy bank.
When “Just Save It” Meets Reality
You’re not failing as a parent. The rules changed, and so has the world. Gen Z doesn’t need a lecture. They need skills, tools, and a bit of empathy for the wild ride they’re on.
The next time you’re tempted to dust off that old “just save it” chestnut, try a different angle—one that fits the world your child actually lives in.
Your child won’t turn into a financial whiz overnight. But with your support and a few new tricks up your sleeve, they might just surprise you—with or without the eye roll.
