“Why am I broke again?” If you’re a Gen Z’er, you’ve probably asked yourself this question after spending half your salary on things you don’t really need—yet somehow, you needed them.
From limited-edition sneakers to the latest iPhone drop, Gen Z is drowning in consumerism—a world where we buy not just for necessity, but for identity, status, and fleeting happiness. But why is this generation the most affected? Let’s break it down.
Social Media = Shopping Mall 24/7
Remember when shopping meant going to an actual store? Now, we live in an endless digital shopping mall where everything is just a tap away.
🔹 Instagram, Amazon, and other shopping Apps constantly bombard us with “must-have” items.
🔹 Influencers sell lifestyles, not just products—making you feel like you NEED that Dyson Airwrap or Stanley cup to fit in.
🔹 Shopping is now entertainment.
Did You Know?
A study found that 62% of Gen Z feel pressured to buy things they see online, even if they don’t need them!
The ‘Soft Life’ & Luxury Obsession
Gen Z romanticizes luxury living, even when most of us can’t afford it. Think about:
✔️ Expensive skincare routines
✔️ Aesthetic cafés
✔️ Designer bags and ‘quiet luxury’ fashion
Social media makes it seem like everyone is living their best, boujee life—so if you’re not, FOMO kicks in, and suddenly, you’re swiping your credit card for things you don’t actually need.
“Boujee” (also spelled bougie) is a slang term derived from bourgeois, which originally referred to the middle or upper-middle class. Today, boujee is used to describe someone or something that is luxurious, fancy, or high-class, often in an extra or flashy way.
Examples of Boujee Things:
✔️ Expensive brunches with avocado toast
✔️ Designer handbags and ‘quiet luxury’ fashion
✔️ Drinking iced coffee from Starbucks every day
✔️ Aesthetic vacations in Bali
✔️ Having a skincare routine with 10+ steps
Basically, if it screams luxury or “soft life,” it’s boujee.
Fun fact: The word became popular thanks to hip-hop culture, especially with songs like Bad and Boujee by Migos
Fun Fact: In 2023, luxury brands reported a record increase in sales—thanks to Gen Z, even though they earn less than millennials did at the same age.
Fast Fashion & the Never-Ending Trend Cycle
Bought a trendy top last month? Too bad, it’s outdated already. The speed of fashion trends has gone from seasons to weeks, making Gen Z buy more clothes than any generation before.
The problem?
- Fast fashion is addictive – It’s cheap and trendy but falls apart after a few washes.
- It’s bad for the planet – The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters.
- It’s financially draining – Those small purchases add up FAST.
Reality Check: The average Gen Z shopper spends $4,000+ or ₹346,009.45 a year on fashion, yet many struggle with savings.
Subscription Services: The Silent Money Drainers
Netflix, Spotify, Canva, gym memberships, cloud storage… the list is endless.
At first, $5 or 432.66 Indian rupees a month seems small, but subscriptions pile up—and before you know it, you’re spending $200+ or 17,305.69 Indian rupees every month on things you barely use.
Crazy Stat: In 2024, the average Gen Z adult spends over $150 or ₹12,976.52/month on subscriptions but forgets about 30% of them!
Is There a Way Out?
While Gen Z is the ultimate victim of consumerism, we also have the power to fight back.
✔️ Unfollow influencer culture – Remember, their job is to sell.
✔️ Adopt the ‘wait 72 hours’ rule – If you still want it after 3 days, buy it.
✔️ Invest in quality, not quantity – 1 good pair of shoes > 10 bad ones.
✔️ Track your spending
✔️ Unsubscribe from auto-renewals – Seriously, check your bank statements.
Final Thought: Are We Just Walking Wallets?
Gen Z grew up in a world where buying things = happiness, but it’s time to ask: Are we spending for ourselves, or just to impress others?
What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever bought because of social media? Drop it in the comments!
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