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Recently, whilst on a packed public metro train, I was bumped into by a high school student.
“S…sorry uncle” he stammered.
What the deuce! UNCLE? Good gracious, I was only 10 years older than the little dude.
This sad state of affairs instantly made me realize two things.
One is that I am no longer as nubile as I felt, and two, how little do I know about the upcoming generation, Generation Z (those born 1997 to present).
So I did some searching around and luckily, one of my favourite blog sites Visual Capitalist shared a fascinating insight into the minds of Generation Z and their approach to personal finance.
Here’s their infographic, hope you find it educational and learn a thing or two!
Some key highlights:
- School is a means to an end. Which is very true when you think about it. I remember growing up, my parents had the mentality of get good grades, go to a good school, go to a good uni, find a good job, marry a good girl, have some good kids and bam, live a good life. Not so true anymore.
- Interesting also to see that Health and Tech are the two areas of desire vocation. Ah kids these days, so very astute – in the future, health and tech will SURELY be the growth areas compared to say… personal finance blogging (not worth it).
- Stability is king. I had a misconception that these kids seem to want nothing but changing the world and saving our planet – but good to see that financially and career-wise, STABILITY is all they want.
- Social Media use… not unexpected that it is prevalent and RAMPANT for Gen Zer’s, they grew up with a screen since they were being conceived methinks… no surprises here.
- And wow, 13 is the average age they start researching financial planning? That’s the age I discovered por…Pythagoras theorem… whoa kids these days – they grow up EARLY.
DAYAM! These kids seem switched ON.
No wonder that they are going to be such a driving force, they’ve grown up in the shadows of the Great Recession into a decade long growth and bull market with technological advances at their fingertips.
Watch this space, as they grow up – the big money will be made in getting in front of this generation…. and anticipating what exactly they need.
Hmph, maybe a better pair of glasses. “Uncle”, SERIOUSLY?
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42 Comments
crisshex88
I like iconography because of their clarity and immediacy, this is illuminating
The Frugal Samurai
Whoa, very insightful – I’ll be sure to include more!
Mosaics Lab
Super love the infograph, it is great. I will definitely use some of these stats in my presentations. What a huge difference between Gen Z and Gen Y, amazing! Thanks a lot.
The Frugal Samurai
Feel free to, Gen Z… they are an interesting species right! No, thank YOU for reading 🙂
Rachel
I wonder if it is a little like the people that grew up during the depression. This generation lived through a pretty rough recession and may have watched people really struggle financially.
The Frugal Samurai
I think so, their parent’s financial livelihoods were pretty much halved from the GFC, so it would make a lot of sense… good observation!
Steve CousinsSteveark
It is hard when you first realize you are irrelevant to young men and invisible to young women. But there you are, deal with it.
The Frugal Samurai
True that… but irrelevant to young men, and invisible to young women? What do you mean!
Cindy Ingalls
It seems like Gen Z is paying more attention to generations before them and learning from their mistakes. The world the are entering or in is very different from that of the on Gen Xers or Baby Boomers experienced.
The Frugal Samurai
So true, everything is constantly evolving and I think that Gen Z are going to be way more prudent and astute compared with any of the previous ones.
StephJ
This is extremely interesting. I think that generation Z have a great chance of improving on things that millennial were not given the chance too. So many people in my peer group were pushed towards traditional educatin and ended up jobless and in debt anyway.
The Frugal Samurai
Really! Must be the period right after the GFC – and none of it was of your doing! Must have been extremely frustrating… Sometimes I feel like millennials are the “lost” generation… too early/young to take advantage of the internet but too late to take advantage of the golden years (see GFC).
knockingonfortysdoor
This was really interesting. I love the infographics and they do a great job of breaking down a ton of information. It’s also really interesting how different GEN Z is in their approach.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes they do don’t they! Thanks for reading 🙂
Joanna Clute
Honestly, I don’t blame them on the college front. Anymore, college is rarely worth the time, effort, and debt.
The Frugal Samurai
It probably depends on what you want to choose for a career, but you’re right! Sometimes I wish I got into a trade like a plumber or an electrician – work as hard but for more money hehe!
Christiana Acha
This is such an insightful post! I never knew about generation Z, first time I’m coming across the term. Thanks for the information. I believe this generation is indeed very different from the ones before it. Can’t wait to see what the future holds.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for saying so! Yeah it is a newer term but then again, they haven’t been around for long! Thanks for reading.
Jessica Martin
I love the pictures with all of the info. I did learn a few things about Gen Z. They definitely seem smarter and will turn things around for future generations!
The Frugal Samurai
I think they will – got big expectations for this bunch!
Brittany Vantrease
My nine year old always sounds like a little old man. “Mom, can we afford to do this?” “Mom, should you be listening to the music so loud when you’re driving?” He’s really good at saving his money which will probably open up his way to being a millionaire someday. I have to tell him all the time not to worry, if we didn’t have the money or if it wasn’t safe to drive that way, I wouldn’t be doing it.
The Frugal Samurai
Shibby! You’re 9yr old has got it. You should be very proud at the level of maturity he’s showing! My word, more so than some of my friends! I have no doubt he will be a millionaire, nay MULTI-millionaire with that level headedness – I’m impressed!
Batiste Ladonna
These kids are amazing. I love your infographics, they are great and full useful of information. Yes they are very educational and useful. Thanks so much!
The Frugal Samurai
They are fantastic and thank you but I can’t take the credit for the infographic… just a messenger I am! Anyway, thank you for reading 🙂
Brittany Vantrease
I don’t know how old you are, but I’m 31 going on 51. I have kids and they make me feel old. I hope that I just look my age, though. If you’ve got that parent look, that might be why you were called uncle. haha!
The Frugal Samurai
Oh wow, same here! No kids yet but golly gosh… is… is it really that bad?
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
Gen Z is a special generation. They’re learning from all the mistakes from the past generations. However, they’re having to work harder as well.
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah sure are – courtesy of the GFC I reckon, still better to get life’s miseries out of the way early and learn from them right!
Amreena
Such a useful post. Thanks for sharing. I am definitely gonna use some of these for my presentation 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
Please do! Thanks for reading and glad you got something out of it!
mjmamaajournal
this is an amazing breakdown! Makes me think of my younger sister and how she is actually going about her life and the decisions shes making! its starting to make sense lol
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for saying so! Haha, you think she’s making the right ones?
Christopher Mitchell
I really like the inclusion of charts here to illustrate your points! Thanks for putting this together!
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah, charts are so simple to use and understand right! Thanks for reading.
Eloise
good job breaking it all down for the Gen Zer’s future. I feel good about growing my savings nowadays!
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for that – so you’re a Z’er! Good for you, the future looks bright for you guys – very jelly 😛
Bindu Thomas
This is really a great post and very interesting. I liked your infographics and thanks for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for your kinds words as always!
ohmummymia
First time heard about Gene Z and Y 🤔 So it was really interesting article for me and I love your infographics
The Frugal Samurai
Ooo thank you kindly for saying so, and glad that I’ve shared something with you today!
AlwaysCarryOn.com
I can’t say I know ANYONE who is generation Z lol – I don’t even class as a millennial! I feel so old 😛 x
The Frugal Samurai
Just wow… only feel old in age tbh, young at heart – COME ON!