It’s great that more and more people want to turn their finances around and make better decisions on how they spend (and how they can change their lifestyle into something more affordable), but not everyone has the mentality that they can easily change their habits to live a better life in the future. Actually, younger generations, specifically Gen Z, have had this rising mentality of “what’s the point?”
Now granted, that makes sense, unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s harder to buy a house due to rising prices, renting is getting more expensive, groceries are more expensive, basically, everything is more expensive. And so doom-spending makes sense in the moment. Basically, long-term goals can feel out of reach, and social media constantly reinforces the idea that comfort and happiness should be purchased on demand. When the future feels uncertain, spending now can feel like the only guaranteed payoff.
The issue is that doom-spending rarely shows up as one giant purchase, either. It usually looks like small, frequent spending, delivery fees, quick “treats,” upgrades that feel justified, and impulse buys that add up. It can technically intertwine with “lifestyle creep” too, but again, this has a more cynical tone.
But as you can probably see here, over time, it creates the exact stress it was meant to relieve.
What Exactly is Doom-Spending Really Solving?
Well, doom-spending is often a form of emotional problem-solving. It can be a response to stress, burnout, anxiety, or the feeling of being behind. But the whole point here is that the purchase provides a short burst of relief, then the relief fades, and the financial pressure returns.
Saving Shouldn’t be Seen as Idealistic
So it’s not just about making yourself feel good because you don’t see yourself ever being able to have anything nice in the future (because that’s the main reason why younger generations are doing this). But sure, it does make a lot of sense here that for many younger adults, saving can feel pointless because major milestones like homeownership or retirement may seem unrealistic. But saving doesn’t necessarily need to be framed as something idealistic or opportunistic, though.
Think of it like this: automating small transfers into savings is often more effective than relying on motivation. Seriously, even modest, consistent contributions create momentum and reduce the “all or nothing” mindset. But if you have the money and really want some structure, it really could help to see a professional, like working with a firm like Noble Capital Group, as an example, since they can help clarify priorities, align saving and investing strategies with realistic goals.
Just Create a Spending Plan that Includes Enjoyment
Of course, you can have enjoyment. Besides, a plan that eliminates all “fun spending” is difficult to maintain, which is why it often fails. So, a more effective approach here is just giving discretionary spending a defined lane. Like, you could look into setting a weekly or monthly amount specifically for non-essentials, which can reduce impulse purchases because the spending is already accounted for.
Yes, You Need a Buffer
One final thing to keep in mind here would be the fact that doom-spending tends to intensify when there is no cushion. Basically, without a buffer, unexpected expenses create immediate stress, and impulse spending becomes harder to resist because everything already feels tense. So, you just need a buffer, you need an emergency fund, that alone can help you out of this doom and gloom mindset.
