Younger Generation Prioritizes Personal Health and Happiness Over Financial Riches: A Growing Preference
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is redefining the concept of prosperity by prioritizing well-being and autonomy over financial gain. According to recent polling, approximately two-thirds of Gen Zers prioritize mental peace and personal time over wealth accumulation, signifying a shift that might be attributed to mounting financial pressures alongside increased awareness regarding mental health.
This generation, reared in an era marked by economic uncertainty and financial pressures, has chosen to prioritize their quality of life and peace of mind, valuing accommodation over wealth's monetary worth. The pursuit of stability, adaptability, and personal well-being plays a more significant role in their concept of financial success, rather than traditional symbols of wealth.
The polling indicates that steep living costs and economic instability have contributed to this trend, leaving long-term planning a challenging proposition for many young adults. The concerns surrounding their long-term financial future are a major source of stress and anxiety for Generation Z.
Having witnessed their millennial predecessors grapple with burnout while still fighting housing affordability and student debt, Gen Z appears to be pragmatically recalibrating their expectations, and are choosing to prioritize personal satisfaction over lofty financial benchmarks.
Financial success, then, is increasingly seen as achieving stability, flexibility, and overall well-being in the eyes of Generation Z. According to Intuit's survey in March 2025, 64% of Gen Z replied that peace of mind matters more than building wealth, while 60% of Gen Z and millennials would rather possess a superior quality of life compared to a larger savings account.
This preference for personal time and balance is evident, with 58% of Gen Z stating that they will prioritize personal time and work-life equilibrium, even at the cost of earning a lower income.
In light of these financial challenges and the need for clarity, Gen Z is actively seeking practical solutions:
- Over six in ten Gen Z individuals desire more financial education, surpassing other age groups in their thirst for knowledge.
- A majority seek more employer-provided advice on planning and investing for retirement.
Recent trends like loud budgeting and no-buy challenges illustrate Gen Z's efforts to manage non-essential spending while embracing budgeting strategies. In the face of financial anxiety, experts advise Gen Z to maintain a budget, build an emergency fund, and save for retirement early on to secure financial stability.
While Gen Z's shift away from the hustle showcases their values-first approach to life, lasting financial security should not be ruled out. Through deliberate long-term planning, skill development, and the strategic application of DIY finance technologies, Gen Zers are setting themselves up for financial success while simultaneously focusing on their mental well-being and quality of life in the short term.
- In line with their values-first approach, Generation Z prefers achieving stability, flexibility, and overall well-being to traditional symbols of wealth, as shown by Intuit's survey in March 2025, where 64% of Gen Z valued peace of mind over building wealth.
- Gen Z is actively seeking practical solutions to their financial challenges, with over six in ten Gen Z individuals expressing a desire for more financial education and a majority seeking advice on planning and investing for retirement from their employers.
- To secure financial stability while focusing on their mental well-being and quality of life, experts advise Gen Zers to maintain a budget, build an emergency fund, and save for retirement early on, while recent trends like loud budgeting and no-buy challenges demonstrate Gen Z's efforts to manage non-essential spending and embrace budgeting strategies.
