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Gen Z's Pursuit of Well-Being Over Wealth: A Rising Trend

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Updated May 28, 2025

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A group of four young adults sitting together, smiling and holding cups outdoors — Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

Generation Z appears to be redefining prosperity by prioritizing well-being and autonomy over financial gain. According to recent polling, nearly two-thirds of Gen Zers say they prioritize peace of mind and personal time over accumulating wealth.

This shift reflects a generation, born from 1997 to 2012, grappling with mounting financial pressures, combined with increase🏅d awareness of mꩵental health.

Key Takeaways

Gen Z reports valuing quality of life and peace of mind over wealth.
Surveys indicate that high costs and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:economic uncertainty have contributed to the trend, as long-term planning feels out of reach for many young adults.
Concerns about their long-term financial future are a top factor in feelings of anxiety and stress for Gen Z.

Gen Z Priorities

Having seen their 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:millennial predecessors experience burnout while still struggling with housing affordability and student debt, Gen Z appears to be pragmatically recalibrating their expectations, choosing to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:prioritize personal satisfaction over lofty financial benchmarks.

For Gen Z, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:fina🥀ncial success is increasingly about stability, flexibility, and personal well-being. According to a March 2025 survey by Intuit (INTU), 64% of Gen Z said peace of mind matters more than building wealth, and 60% of Gen Z and millennials would rather have a better quality of life than a bigger bank account.

Gen Z is leading the trend, with 58% saying they will prioritize personal time and balance even if it means earning less money.

What Gen Z Needs to Know

Despite their values-first approach, Gen Z faces 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:formidable financial obstacles. Amid soaring inflation and volatile markets, planning even a few years ahead can feel like guessing at tomorrow’s weather. And 75% of Gen Z and 68% of Millennials say economic uncertainty is making it harder to plan. In a 2024 survey by Deloitte, half of Gen Z said their longer-term financial future is a top contributor to feelings of anxiety and stress.

In the face of that uncertainty, financial advisors say it's important for Gen Z to try to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:save for retirement and make 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:smart financial decisions wherever possible. Marnie Bonner, an associate financial planner at WealthChoice who focuses on Gen Z clientele, points out that "people may be 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:prioritizing their quality of life, but they are also often acting as if they have the higher-paying jobs and overextending themselves." That further complicates the state of young people's 𝕴finances.

Recognizing these challeng▨e🔴s, Gen Z is seeking concrete solutions:

60% want more financial education, outpacing other age groups.
71% want more employer-provided guidance on reaching retirement goals.

Recent trends—from "澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:loud budgeting" to "澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:no-buy 2025"—show that many young people are trying to combat spending on non-essential expenses and promote budgeting. In the face of financial anxiety, experts say Gen Z can start by 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:maintaining a budget, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:building an emergency fund, and beginning to save for retirement as early as possible.

The Bottom Line

While Gen Z's shift away from the hustle underscores their values, lasting 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:financial security doesn’t have to be off the table. Through long-term planning, skill-building, and strategic use of DIY finance technologies, Gen Zers can set themselves up for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:financial success even while prioritizing peace of mind and quality of life in the short🦋 term.

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