October 31, 2025
The Boston Globe recently published an article featuring Greg Stoller, Master Lecturer of Strategy and Innovation, discussing how Gen Z adults (ages 18–28) are spending heavily on nonessential items like dining out, travel, and experiences, even as many struggle to make ends meet.
A Harris Poll for Intuit Credit Karma found that 87% of Gen Z are willing to spend on nonessentials regardless of finances, though 74% would cut back if necessary. Experts point to factors such as delayed homeownership, economic uncertainty, social media influence, and “doom-spending” as reasons for these spending habits. Stoller highlights the generational shift in how purchases are made in today’s digital world:
“You see something that you like, or if you’re hungry, you just buy it, and you don’t even have to take out a credit card anymore. You swipe your phone or swipe your watch and, voila, it’s yours.”
These spending habits reflect not only the convenience of digital payments but also the unique financial pressures and cultural influences shaping Gen Z’s approach to money.
