'A Little Treat': Why Gen Z Chooses Indulgences Over Savings

I have a small memory box I’ve kept for years. Inside it are old notes, tickets, blessings from elders, a few currency bills from different countries, and even a tissue paper I once saved after a really special day at a special place. At the time, all of it felt valuable for different reasons. Today, the money inside has lost its actual worth, but the emotions attached to each item haven’t. The blessings, the memories, the little stories...they’re still priceless.

That’s exactly how Gen Z views money. For us, it isn’t just something to hoard, it’s a way to create experiences we’ll cherish for a lifetime. We splurge on 'little treats'. We live by YOLO - you only live once. That means not postponing joy, but embracing opportunities as they come, whether that’s travelling, attending a concert, or marking a milestone with a special purchase.

These Gen Zers describe it best:

Rachit expressed, “I’d always regret the experiences I didn’t have more than the money I spent. I’d rather know how it went than keep wondering how it could have been, even if it wasn’t perfect.” That’s why he held onto his concert glasses from a Coldplay show, long after the ticket price was forgotten; the memory remains vibrant.

Gursheen said it in a way that resonates with many of us: “Because money can go, but memories won’t. Money returns, we earn again, but lost moments don’t.” She lived that truth during her Disneyland trip. The joy, the rides, the sense of being a child again, that is the kind of moment worth reliving a hundred times over.

Experiences over bank balance

Another perspective that defines Gen Z’s choices is solo travel. A solo trip isn’t just about exploring a new place. It’s about independence, reflection, and the confidence that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. The money spent fades quickly, but the self-discovery lasts a lifetime.

Concerts also capture this perfectly. Whether it’s Coldplay, Diljit Dosanjh or Karan Aujla, the tickets may seem expensive, but the energy, the music, and the shared connection with thousands of strangers become priceless memories.

Even sneakers tell the same story. Limited-edition pairs aren’t just shoes; they’re culture, identity, and achievements tied to a moment in time. It’s less about owning something and more about the story that comes with it.

Happiness is the real ROI

This is why Gen Z spends differently. Not recklessly, but intentionally. Because money can always be earned again, but time doesn’t wait, and missed experiences rarely come back. While the value of money decreases over time, the value of an experience only grows stronger every time we revisit it in our minds.

At the end of the day, true wealth isn’t in the numbers sitting in our accounts. It’s in the memories, the stories, and yes, even in the sneakers or ticket stubs we hold onto as reminders.

And that’s why businesses today need to think beyond products; they need to sell experiences. Because that’s what Gen Z will truly invest in.

Views expressed by the author are their own.