Gen Z loves a saving and budgeting trick – these are some of the favourite ways

Generation Z savers trying to kickstart good financial habits are gamifying saving by taking part in ‘no buy’ months, paying themselves first and following strict sell-before-buying rules.

Often these saving hacks come from social media platforms TikTok, Instagram and Reddit where young people share how they used tricks to build up savings pots worth thousands.

Here are some of the saving and budgeting tricks loved by Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – for starting to build a pot.

The ‘no buy’ challenge

Thrifty Gen Z savers go through strict periods of not purchasing anything beyond absolute necessities. This could last for a week or a month.

They will try to use up all the food, toiletries and other products they already have before replacing them.

There is a ‘No Buy’ thread on social media forum Reddit where so-called ‘revenge savers’ share their gains from limiting their spending.

Sell to buy

In a similar way to the ‘no buy’ challenge, some Gen Z savers set themselves a rule where they can only splurge on new clothes, shoes or records, if they sell something they own first.

They will then use the proceeds, often from popular reselling platforms such as Vinted and Depop, to fund what they buy.

It is a way to avoid feeling guilty and means no existing savings are depleted for purchases that feel a bit more frivolous.

Can HMRC see how much I sell on Vinted and Ebay? 

1p savings challenge

The 1p saving challenge has caught on among cash-strapped Gen Z thanks to its an easy and achievable starting point.

Savers start by saving just 1p and then add on a penny more each day. For example, they start by saving 1p on 1 January, then 2p on 2 January, then 3p on 3 January and so on.

Eventually, they save £667.95 by the end of the year.

Read more: The best easy-access savings accounts

Double savings challenge

This involves doubling the amount you save and can be done short or longer-term.

For example, over a week you could save 10p on the first day, then 20p, 40p, 80p, £1.60, £3.20, and £6.40, so after seven days you have £12.70.

If you continue doing this, the daily saving amount starts to soon get very high.

So, instead, savers can repeat it every week for a year to end up with a £600.40 pot.

Zero-based budgeting

The idea behind this TikTok budgeting trick is that when you get paid, every penny is assigned a category such as new clothes, holiday fund, bills, rent or savings.

There are a few ways of doing this. Some Gen Zs do it by only keeping fixed payments such as energy bills, water bills, rental payments and any loan repayments in their bank account. The rest of their disposable income is transferred into another account.

Others keep all their money in one account but split it up into different savings pots, which some app-based banks such as Monzo and Starling allow.

Either way, the idea is that you have no money left in your account to spend, as it is all accounted for. If you need to fund a holiday, the money comes out of the holiday pot.

Read more: The best bank accounts 

Paying yourself first

This trick involves transferring money from your bank account into your savings accounts as soon as you get paid each month. That’s before rent, mortgages or other bills.

It means saving is taken care of straight away, instead of getting to the end of the month and finding there is nothing left to put away.

Some Gen Z savers on TikTok refer to the tactic as treating saving like an unavoidable bill that must be paid.

Why do people like challenges and games to save?

Many of these so-called tricks and challenges may seem like common sense to diligent savers who have been deploying these methods for years without giving them gimmicky names.

Brit Grosskopf, a professor of economics at The University of Exeter explains: ‘Attitudes toward savings are undergoing a cultural shift, with many now finding emotional reward in the habit.

‘While all age groups value saving, Generation Z is leading the charge by making it more visible, social, and even trendy.’

Two thirds of people get a buzz from putting money aside, according to the Post Office. If Gen Z catches the bug for saving and budgeting, albeit through social media trends, it’s hardly a bad thing.