It is good that we can find inspiration in many ways considering the era we are living in. The other day I happened to stumble upon some research and survey on spending insights of GenZ which made me write this content today. Sharing what I used to think and how I used to feel when I was at that age.

Excitement and Transition to the Real World

Let’s rewind to my college days, a time buzzing with excitement and endless possibilities. Graduation day marked a shift from carefree student life to the real world, where the hunt for that dream job or the courage to start my own business begins.  I remember eagerly looking forward to starting my first job, dreaming of all the things I could finally buy with my own money for which I had been waiting for long. I still remember the feeling of creating a list of things I needed and the anticipated excitement of achieving it. Post my job appointment I made sure to buy those stuff. The thrill of working towards my dream job, the satisfaction of earning my first paycheck—it’s a journey filled with hard work, excitement, and a touch of nerves.

Dreams of First Job and Financial Anticipation

Above all the scenarios I realised one thing today after being a financial planner. We always tend to think of spending first on luxuries the moment we get our first-ever paycheck. We never really think of saving.  Maybe that’s because we are exposed to things that we are indirectly forced to possess. Books advise saving 30% of your income but I totally get it for a GenZ who has got their first job. The concept of saving 30% is very bookish, and I would not wish to apply the same. Hence EMI takes a front seat in our spending as it feels like waiting for so many years to achieve this, dreaming for so long to get those things is so important that now waiting for another 6 months also feels like a decade.

The Temptation of Immediate Spending vs. Long-Term Saving

Possession of things becomes easy with EMI. That’s clear, otherwise, how would this data show individuals aged between 20 to 26 often prioritise fulfilling their desires for luxuries

Numbers do speak: 

Apple’s impressive 40% growth in India has led to the sale of a remarkable 1 crore (10 million) iPhones. Surprisingly, 70% of these popular devices are purchased through EMI plans, indicating a preference for convenient payment options. Similarly, the trend continues to the automotive sector, where a significant 78% of cars, averaging 11 lakhs, are acquired through EMIs. 

It is very easy to get lured with EMI offers to avail things in the present moment. When we were in college the same EMI seemed dreadful to us as we were dependent on pocket money or internship stipend but post-job EMI became a considerable part of our life. 

I am glad I took this profession and understood early that with every new EMI, I am increasing the liability side of my finances. 

When our bank sees some amount in our accounts they by default make us eligible for EMI and it’s not wrong to have a credit card. But it’s surely not advised to keep swiping it for our luxury needs. I have seen youths who travel on credit cards and then they pay back in monthly EMI by paying heavy interest on credit cards.

In the broader financial landscape, India’s overall savings rate has dropped to a historic low of 5.1%. Furthermore, insights from a survey of 100 young individuals point to clothing and accessories as the top spending categories, particularly among the 21 to 23 age group. These statistics are slightly disturbing and surely serve as a gentle reminder for young adults and their parents as well, to reflect on their spending patterns and consider learning and incorporating prudent saving and investing practices into their financial journey. 

The Influence of Paycheck EMI Offers and Credit Card Usage

Here I am not suggesting you to save 50 to 60% of what you are earning. You can always have the approach of saving a small amount first rather than spending it first. The new way to see this could be a simple formula Income – Saving = Expense. This will seem a very small change but the habit of saving first and then spending shows long-term benefits in your life ahead. 

If you wish to go on a vacation you can plan a budgeted trip, again budget does not mean you spend less, here I mean to have an x amount and finish the trip in that amount. 

CEO Insights on Financial Priorities

Let’s see what the CEO of Edelweiss has to say about today’s youth in one of her podcasts.

Edelweiss CEO says that her biggest competition is Swiggy & Zomato and not other AMCs, youth can spend Rs.200-300 a day so 15k to 20k in a month on food but you don’t spend a SIP of Rs.500 a month that has potential to build your future. (click here to check the podcast)

Illustration of Early Financial Planning Benefits

A small illustration that might help you to see what I experienced when I started to plan early

Suppose: You are at 24, and you start investing Rs.10000 per month in investment avenues which gives a 10% minimum.

Age – 24

No of years -10

Investment Amount – Rs 10000 per month

10-year investment amount  –Rs. 1200000

Future Value – Rs 27,64,378

Rate of Interest -10%

Look at the corpus 27 lakhs with a minimum rate of interest,  you tell me this wouldn’t be more fruitful and satisfying when you set your goal in place and you see it getting fulfilled, this is the power of compounding, discipline, and patience. Again the amount of monthly SIP can be changed as per your situation, but the whole point is to start early and give a balanced spending vs investment approach a priority while planning finances. 

Balancing Instant Gratification and Long-Term Financial Goals

Finding the balance between instant gratification and saving is crucial. It’s important to prioritize sound decision-making, research, and guidance, especially at a younger age, to secure a better future. This approach can lead to long-term benefits and financial stability down the road.