By now, we all know that Gen Z has different spending habits compared to the rest of us. They’ve grown up in a world that’s constantly changing, especially when it comes to tech and the environment, and this means they aren’t going to throw their money at just anything.
Here’s a list of things Gen Z says they’ll no longer spend money on.
Cable TV
Let’s be honest, cable TV feels like a thing of the past. With streaming services offering endless entertainment at a fraction of the cost, paying for traditional television just doesn’t make sense.
The idea of flipping through channels and sitting through commercials feels outdated to this generation.
Expensive Gym Memberships
Yes, fitness is important, but that doesn’t mean it has to come with a hefty price tag. Instead of paying for an overpriced membership, Gen Z finds creative ways to work out for free. There are thousands of workout routines available online and honestly, why pay for access to a treadmill when they can just go for a run outside?
Fast Fashion
The thing is, cheap clothes that fall apart after a few washes just aren’t worth it. Gen Z is ditching fast fashion in favor of sustainable and secondhand options. They’re more aware of how harmful the fashion industry can be, both for the planet and for the workers making the clothes.
Traditional Bank Fees
Honestly, paying just to have a bank account is ridiculous. Gen Z is all about online banking and fintech apps that offer fee-free services. They don’t see the point in paying maintenance fees, overdraft charges, or ATM fees when plenty of banks offer free alternatives.
Lottery Tickets
If we’re being real, throwing money at the lottery is just wishful thinking. Unlike older generations who still dream about hitting the jackpot, Gen Z sees the lottery as a waste of cash. They’d rather put their money into savings, investments, or experiences that actually have value.
Fancy Sit-Down Restaurants
For most of Gen Z, dropping a ton of cash on an overpriced meal just isn’t appealing. They prefer casual dining, takeout, or cooking at home rather than spending a fortune on expensive restaurants.
They love good food, but they’re not willing to drop loads of money just for the experience of fine dining.
Luxury Cars
It goes without saying but a flashy car just isn’t a priority. Many of Gen Z are skipping car ownership altogether, especially if they live in cities with good public transportation. Rideshare services, biking, and walking are often more convenient and cheaper than dealing with car payments, insurance, and gas.
Homeownership
The reality is, buying a house feels impossible for a lot of Gen Z. With rising home prices, stagnant wages, and crushing student debt, owning property isn’t realistic for many of them. They’d rather spend money on travel, experiences, and enjoying life rather than being tied down by a mortgage.
Brand-Name Products
To be fair, some name brands do have good quality, but not all of them are worth the price. Gen Z is all about finding the best value, and they know that generic brands often work just as well as the expensive ones.
If a cheaper alternative does the job just as well, they’re going with that. Name brands don’t mean much when there’s no real difference in quality.
Diamonds
The younger generation will tell you that spending thousands on a tiny rock seems ridiculous. Lab-grown diamonds, alternative stones, or skipping the whole thing entirely makes more sense. Gen Z would rather spend money on experiences or something meaningful instead of overpriced jewelry.
Print Newspapers and Magazines
Something we should all realize is that paying for news when it’s free online doesn’t make sense. Physical newspapers and magazines feel outdated and inconvenient when everything is instantly available on a phone.
Plus, Gen Z doesn’t want to deal with stacks of paper cluttering their space. The days of subscribing to a daily newspaper or a glossy magazine are long gone.
Cable Subscriptions for Music and Podcasts
When you really think about it, paying for cable-style music or podcast subscriptions just isn’t worth it. Gen Z has endless free alternatives, such as ad-supported versions of streaming services, YouTube playlists, and free podcasts. They don’t see the point in spending money when they can get almost the same experience without paying.
Traditional Office Clothes
As times have become more casual, it means the days of spending money on stiff suits and uncomfortable dress shoes are over. Gen Z prefers workwear that’s comfortable, practical, and casual.
With remote work becoming more common, they don’t see the point in splurging on expensive business attire they’ll barely wear.
Cable Internet Bundles
The fact is, bundling services might seem like a good deal, but Gen Z isn’t falling for it. They know that cable companies love to lock customers into contracts with hidden fees and unnecessary extras. Instead of paying for overpriced bundles, they shop around for internet-only plans that fit their needs.
Souvenir Shopping
Deep down, we all know that cheap trinkets from tourist shops are just clutter. When Gen Z travels, they prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than souvenirs they’ll forget about in a few months. Instead of overpaying for keychains, mugs, or t-shirts, they take photos, collect digital memories, or buy something meaningful from a local shop.
Wedding Expenses
Of course, weddings are special, but Gen Z isn’t willing to go broke for one day. Unlike older generations, they’re not interested in spending tens of thousands on a wedding when that money could go toward a house, travel, or savings.
Many are opting for smaller, more affordable ceremonies or even skipping the big wedding altogether.
Paper Checks and Postage
Last but not least, writing paper checks and mailing things feels ancient. Gen Z prefers digital payment options like Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay, which are faster, easier, and often free. They rarely need to send anything by mail, and when they do, they look for the cheapest or most convenient way to do it.