Special Interest
Over the course of two weeks, I conducted one-hour interviews with twelve Gen Z (between 18 and 26 years old) participants to better understand how they handle money and the stress that comes with it. I recruited through close contacts, creating a balanced mix: three college women, three women out
Special Interest
Before conducting my primary research, I aimed to understand what had already been explored about Gen Z’s financial habits, literacy, needs, and preferences. To do this, I performed a thematic synthesis of eight research articles containing qualitative data. I organized the extracted data into 28 categories, recording one data
Numbers
This survey was conducted over a two-week period to investigate the financial habits, challenges, and needs of Gen Z students. Recruitment occurred through an online survey distributed in the Sigma Epsilon Phi fraternity group chat. The fraternity, with around 130 active members, was chosen because it is co-ed (including both
Arts & Lifestyle
This budgeting tool tackles a common challenge: maintaining consistent financial discipline. Many users struggle to stick to budgets because tracking spending is often abstract and easy to ignore. By showing the budget every time the wallet is opened, the tool keeps financial awareness top-of-mind turning budget awareness from a passive
Science & Tech
The AI financial companion is designed to make managing money smarter, friendlier, and more engaging. Many people struggle to keep track of spending, bills, and additional income sources like side hustles which can make financial planning stressful or overwhelming. By running in the background as a “money co-pilot,” this tool
Special Interest
The idea of an in-app game to encourage consistent saving addresses a common struggle: maintaining financial discipline over time. Saving can often feel abstract or unrewarding, causing users to lose motivation. By turning saving into a game, users earn spins each time they save, which convert into points redeemable for
Business
The AI-powered tool is designed to help users rethink their financial journey by providing clear predictions about the future. It addresses a common challenge: many people struggle to understand whether their current financial habits are sustainable or sufficient to meet long-term goals. By forecasting outcomes such as how much users
Special Interest
The Self article Side Hustle Statistics explores the growing trend of Americans turning hobbies, skills, and passions into extra income streams. With nearly half of U.S. adults engaging in some form of side work, side hustles have become an important part of how people manage finances, pursue interests, and
Special Interest
The Bank of America study Confronted with Higher Living Costs, 72% of Young Adults Take Action to Improve Their Financial Health explores how Gen Z is navigating the realities of adulthood. Facing rising living costs, this generation is actively making choices to save, reduce expenses, and gain control over their
Special Interest
The article Gen Z Statistics highlights the key habits, priorities, and challenges of Generation Z, offering a window into how this generation approaches work, social media, mental health, and technology. Understanding these insights is essential for anyone designing experiences or products for this digitally native cohort. The key insights are
Special Interest
“Positive play” in gambling focuses on how people can engage responsibly, rather than simply avoiding harm. According to research published in Frontiers in Psychology, positive play captures proactive behaviors such as controlling spending, setting limits, and planning ahead (factors not measured by traditional tools like the Problem Gambling Severity Index)
Special Interest
The article Gen Z Cannot Stop Gambling explores how younger adults are embracing gambling and sports betting as a social and digital experience. For this generation, betting is less about chasing large payouts and more about fun, social engagement, and the seamless digital design of platforms that gamify the experience.