For many in Gen Z, money hasn’t felt simple or predictable. You’ve dealt with changing job markets, prices that keep climbing, and advice coming from every corner of the internet – especially social media. It can often feel like everyone else learned something, and somehow you didn’t get the memo. But, in reality, most people are just trying to figure things out as they go.
The truth is that people rarely struggle because they’re careless with money. They struggle because the systems they’re told to use don’t match real life. You don’t need complicated routines or perfect habits. You just need a few tools that help things run more smoothly - even when life gets busy or unpredictable.
Tip #1 - Build a Simple Financial Starter Kit
You don’t need a massive emergency fund or a long-term financial plan right out of the gate. What helps most is having a small buffer that covers the kinds of surprises everyone eventually runs into, such as unexpected bills, car repairs, or medical copays.
Instead of focusing on everything at once, pick a few items that help lay your financial foundation. Examples may include:
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A small emergency cushion to cover unexpected costs (even a few hundred dollars is a great start).
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Necessary insurance to cover day-to-day life, such as health, auto, and renters’ insurance.
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A checking account that doesn’t pile on fees when times are tight or punish you for minor mistakes.
This tip isn’t necessarily about getting ahead. It’s about making sure one surprise doesn’t completely knock your finances off track.
Tip #2 - Give Your Money Clear Jobs
When everything sits in one account, spending and saving can easily blur together. Breaking your money into simple groups makes it easier to know what you can use now and what you need later.
A simple method that works well for many people is to break your funds into three groups:
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Now Money: Weekly or monthly essentials, like rent, groceries, and gas.
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Soon Money: Upcoming expenses, such as travel or car repairs.
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Future Money: Longer-term goals, including savings, investing, and retirement plans.
Some people find it easier to open separate savings accounts to organize their money. Others use labeled goals in their budget. Either way, knowing what each dollar is meant for can make day-to-day decisions much easier and curb impulse purchases.
Tip #3 - Let Tech Handle the Easy Stuff
Trying to remember every due date and transfer can drain your energy. Instead of juggling everything manually, let automation handle the routine tasks so you can focus on the rest of your life.
Here are a few things worth automating:
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Set up a separate payroll deposit for savings or set up automatic transfers to your savings account the day after payday.
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Minimum payments on your credit card(s) to avoid costly fees and build your credit score.
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Alerts and notifications for low balances or larger-than-usual transactions.
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Autopayments for recurring bills that you can schedule with online bill pay.
The credit union’s digital tools make this process easy, and you can make updates as needed. Once these tasks run on their own, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Tip #4 - Think of Credit as a Short-Term Tool
Credit cards can be incredibly helpful, but only when you understand how they really work. Interest is where people often get tripped up and avoiding that trap starts with using credit in small, manageable ways.
Try incorporating a few habits to help you manage credit more wisely:
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Juggling multiple credit card balances and due dates can become overwhelming (and costly) for anyone. Instead, use one credit card with the lowest rate and fees possible.
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Protecting yourself from costly fees, interest charges, and dings to your credit score is simple when you set up automatic payments to cover the minimum due on your credit cards.
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If your credit card balances are growing faster than you anticipated, it might mean you’re living beyond your means. Slow or pause your spending and take time to review your monthly budget to ensure it still aligns with your lifestyle.
If you’re working to improve your credit score, the credit union can help you compare beginner-friendly options like secured cards or credit builder loans.
Tip #5 - Build a Plan That Fits Changing Income
Gen Z is navigating a work world where income can be unpredictable. Part-time jobs, side gigs, and shifting hours can make it tough to rely on a single number when planning for the month.
If you find yourself in this category of fluctuating income, try these budgeting tips:
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When crafting your financial plan or budget, use your lowest expected monthly income as a reference point. It’s better to underestimate your income than overestimate it and run into financial trouble down the road.
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Use extra income as padding or to build an emergency fund before putting it toward longer-term financial goals.
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If you freelance or have a side hustle, make sure to set aside a small percentage for taxes.
When your financial plan and monthly budget reflect how you actually earn, the ups and downs feel less overwhelming.
Tip #6 - Start Small with Retirement Saving
Saving for retirement often gets presented as an all-or-nothing goal, but the truth is that small contributions still matter. Starting early can make a big difference, even if the amount feels tiny at first.
If you have retirement plan options through your employer, here’s a simple approach to getting started:
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Make contributions regularly with each paycheck. Even small contributions, such as 1% or 3% of your salary, will still grow into a substantial sum over time.
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Ask your employer if they offer a “matching” program. If so, try to invest the required amount to guarantee your employer match – it’s essentially free money you don’t want to miss out on!
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As your salary increases, be sure to increase your retirement contributions as well.
If your job doesn’t offer a plan, the credit union’s IRA options can help you begin saving at a pace that’s comfortable with you – while locking in tax perks.
Tip #7 - Use Social Media as a Starting Point
There is a ton of financial content online, and some of it is genuinely helpful. The trick is knowing which advice is worth following and which ideas need a second look.
A good approach is to:
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Save ideas that interest you.
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Double-check information from reliable sources.
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Ask questions when something isn’t clear.
Then take these ideas and review them with a trusted source, such as the credit union or your financial advisor. Too often, as with most social media posts today, financial advice online highlights the best parts and leaves out or downplays the downsides.
Tip #8 - Celebrate the Small Wins
You don’t need big shifts to make progress. Sometimes the little steps do more for your confidence than anything else. Adding $10 to savings, paying one bill early, or canceling a forgotten subscription all move you in the right direction. Acknowledging these wins builds momentum and the motivation to keep going.
You don’t have to solve everything all at once, or even this year. You just need habits that support where you are right now, with room to grow as life changes.
We’re Here to Help!
Money can feel overwhelming, but a few simple habits can make it much easier to manage. You don’t need perfect routines or significant income changes to move forward. With the right tools and a little consistency, progress becomes something you can build at your own pace.
From no-fee checking and digital banking tools to automatic transfers, alerts, and beginner-friendly IRA options, we’re ready to help. Please stop by the Credit Union or call 410-908-7618 to schedule an appointment today.