How to Romanticize Being Broke: What Every Gen Z Should Know in 2026
Joy on a budget.
Being broke isn’t just about having limited funds—it can be a canvas for creativity, simplicity, and surprising joy. In 2026, Gen Z is redefining what it means to live richly without spending much.
1. Embrace the “soft saving” mindset
Gen Z is moving away from the FIRE hustle. Instead, they’re embracing “soft saving”—prioritising pleasure, mental health, and everyday satisfaction over aggressive long‑term planning. It’s about saving what you can, but not at the cost of your happiness.
2. Turn budgeting into a trend—“loud budgeting” style
There’s power in openly owning your financial boundaries. “Loud budgeting” encourages Gen Z to decline what’s unaffordable with confidence—you're not broke; you're intentional.
3. Rebrand the mundane into “livable lore”
Gen Z excels at turning ordinary life into something poetic—think “lore drops,” “opening shifts,” or treating summoning courage to buy groceries like a main‑character narrative. These micro‑rebrands make everyday moments feel cinematic.
4. Practice the #underconsumptioncore lifestyle
This trend champions repurposing, thrifting, and using what you already have—making sustainability both savvy and stylish. It’s a budget win that doubles as an aesthetic.
5. Prioritize joy, not spending
When money’s tight, creativity wins: affordable hobbies, homemade rituals, walking playlists, cozy rituals at home—these are the small luxuries that feel rich without a price tag.
6. Mindfully balance fun and future
Even while romantically leaning into low‑budget living, Gen Z still saves. Many follow budgets (57%) and set aside portions of each paycheck (84%)—blending present joy with financial responsibility.
Being broke isn’t a burden—it’s a chance to craft beauty from constraint. This is how Gen Z turns limited budgets into abundant life. Embrace your broke—and let it become your new aesthetic.