Special Interest
I looked into meditation, exploring this practice through the historical and religious lens as well as a method for improving health. My capstone has a strong focus on meditation. I wanted to learn more about the historical context and understand different types of meditative practices. "The practice of meditation
Arts & Lifestyle
To explore examples of designs created for children, I explored a store in Columbus, OH called Cub Shrub. The store carries a variety of kid's toys, clothes and decor. I explored the store and their different trinkets to better understand what activities are currently on the market for
Opinion
Overview Despite Gen Z’s low income compared to other generations, they travel frequently (Pitrelli, 2023). Rather than waiting until they have high-paying jobs or savings to travel, they make travel fit into their existing budgets. A survey of 4,000 Gen Z students found that 76% consider financial costs
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