the most expensive thing you're buying isn't listed on your credit card statement.

→ it's pretending you have it together while money stress is eating you alive.

a recent td bank survey found that 53% of Gen Z feel pressured to fake financial stability just for appearances.

wait, what? 

reality check → 45% of students sacrifice actual financial security to look financially secure. (congrats to the 8% who feel the pressure and resist.)

you might think, “this ain’t me,” but maybe it is, it can look like this:

• skipping meals just to nab those 1-of-1 bape classic crocs with hand-pressed jibbitz

• playing big boss and then hitting overdraft when you pay for everyone’s Uber and don’t let them chip in

• saying “it is what it is” when your friend drops a link to brockhampton tix in the chat. you hate them, but FOMO, and now you’re worrying about rent for the next three weeks

this you?

no judgment. it sounds exhausting. it sounds expensive.

here’s how you stop.

name it, spot it

let’s call it a peacock tax. it’s something you buy because it's showy, or an impulse, or a FOMO trigger. whatever it is, it has no real use or substance. feathers and fluff. a peacock’s tail.

stop doing this. 

now we know what we're looking for, how do we fix?

traditional budgeting advice doesn’t really help here. it assumes you're starting from a place of clarity. clarity comes later. right now, you need to see your money so you can own your spending.

when 60% of students consider dropping out because of money stress, “just make a spreadsheet” isn’t helping. it’s adding more work, more confusion, and more stress.

start with reality, not shame

here’s a quick plan to get the concepts you'll need for budgeting:

step 1: get visibility, first

you can't budget your way out of not knowing where your money goes. spend a week just watching how you spend. the easy way is to get a tool that shows the whole picture (more on this below). nobody likes manually entering receipts (so no spreadsheets) and guessing won't cut it. facts only.

step 2: spot your “peacock tax”

write down one thing you bought in the last month only for appearances. not because you enjoyed it. not because you needed it. something you bought because you felt pressured. this is your starting point for awareness, not shame. start with the biggest, most obvious example and hopefully there’s not a lot to pick from.

step 3: pick one small action

it’s not easy to start with a fully planned budget. you'll get there. soon. for now, pick one thing. maybe it’s “i’m going to look at my account before saying yes to brockhampton.” (remember: you hate brockhampton) maybe it’s “i’m going to set up a $5 automatic transfer to savings.” small wins build momentum faster than perfect plans. especially if they're trashed by tuesday.

step 4: replace comparison with clarity.

don’t compare your situation to others. only you can help you. the survey found only 33% of Gen Z trust their bank to help them. this distrust keeps you stuck. find a way to trust yourself. maybe start with a tool. paper, spreadsheets, a phone app, whatever you see yourself using. 

pick the right budgeting tool

whatever you use, its gotta fit you. 99% of Gen Z already use some kind of financial app(CNBC). find one built for your reality. look for transparency to avoid hidden fees and predatory upsells. find something that’s easy and not overwhelmed by snarky remarks, crypto chatter, YOLO bros, or stock tickers. if you want these, you’ll get there, but first things first.

when you trust your tools, you might actually use them. no guarantees, except that if you don’t use them, they won’t work. so try a few, pick something that fits you. only you can help you, right?

slick marketing, shiny incentives, referral ponzis, or even the most articulate and charming blog post can get you to do something once. but it’s got to work and fit your lifestyle or you’ll just toss it aside like a campus welcome package when the freebies are spent.

remember: clarity builds trust. 

not trust in the tool → trust in yourself. seeing simple, steady progress will keep you on track.

this isn't budgeting. this is the first step to shifting your mindset.

if you can do this, you can follow a budget that's right for you.

the real nugget

financial awareness isn’t about restriction. it’s about choice.

when you know where your money actually goes, you can choose where you want it to go.

when you make that choice, you gain stability. it's that easy.

if you’re struggling, you’re not alone. but you don’t have to keep struggling.

start with clarity and build. progress over perfection. always.