HOUSTON – They’ve come of age through a pandemic, rising prices, and financial uncertainty. But for many Gen Zers, that struggle has inspired something unexpected — a movement called “revenge saving.”
“I wanted a change in my lifestyle, and saving was the perfect way to do that,” said Naseem Johnson, 26, who works two jobs in auto inventory and TV production.
For Johnson, revenge saving isn’t about cutting back — it’s about taking control.
“I don’t want to be working two jobs later on in life to get the things that I want now,” he said. “If I really want it, I could do it now while I still got the energy.”
“It’s empowerment,” Johnson added. “It’s boosting confidence, it’s boosting self-esteem.”
The Rise of the “Revenge Saver”
On social media, the movement is exploding. TikTok and Instagram are full of creators joining no-spend or no-buy challenges, where participants commit to buying only the basics — groceries, rent, and utilities — for weeks or even months.
The goal? To reclaim financial control after years of overspending and inflation.
“It’s a strategy to have control,” said Sofia Hernandez, a Houston-based financial advisor.
She says Gen Z’s mindset is shifting — saving isn’t rooted in fear anymore, but in focus.
“What is important for you, with your values, with your goals — thinking not only about the present but more about the future,” Hernandez explained.
Confidence in an Uncertain Economy
A recent Thrivent survey found that one-third of non-retirees nationwide say it’s unlikely they’ll ever retire. Among Gen Z and Millennials, that number jumps to 37% and 39% — the least confident of any generation.
But Houston stands out for its optimism: 71% of residents believe they’ll retire the way they want, even as 42% have already changed their retirement plans because of the economy.
Hernandez says the key is structure.
“We have to let the money know where we want to go,” she said. “Otherwise, the money is going everywhere — and that’s what we don’t want.”
Saving as Power
From social media challenges to real-world budgeting, young savers like Johnson are proving that even small steps can build big confidence.
“You wanna get somewhere, you wanna own assets, you wanna own a business,” Johnson said. “How do you get that? You gotta save for these things.”
For this generation, revenge saving isn’t really about revenge at all — it’s about reclaiming power, one paycheck at a time.