What Moms Can Learn From How Gen z Handles money

I still remember the first time my child asked me for their own wallet. It wasn’t for a school allowance or for keeping birthday money—it was for their very first online purchase. It was a small, thoughtful buy, but it made me realize something: Gen Z is growing up in a world where money is handled very differently from how we did.

As moms, we’ve seen our kids grow up with technology at their fingertips, and now that they’re young adults, they’re making financial decisions that blend practicality, digital fluency, and a strong desire for independence. A recent Visa study sheds light on how Gen Z is managing their money—and as parents, it’s something worth paying attention to.

How Gen Z Is Saving and Spending

According to Visa’s Green Shoots Radar survey, Gen Z in Asia Pacific is quite serious about saving money—setting aside about 30% of their income. That’s an impressive habit, and one that many of us probably wish we had when we were younger!

What’s driving this? More than 47% of Gen Z respondents say they are more aware of their financial goals and are committed to practicing better financial management. They also see money management as something that’s not just about numbers—it’s about mental and emotional well-being too.

Budgeting, But Also Living Life

One thing I admire about this generation is that they are balancing smart financial decisions with enjoying life. More than half of Gen Z in APAC (57%) are actively cutting back on unnecessary spending, but at the same time, they don’t shy away from spending on things that truly matter to them.

Their top splurges?
Travel and vacations (53%) – because they value experiences over material things.
Electronics and gadgets (49%) – because their world is digital, and they want to stay connected.

This mix of smart budgeting and mindful spending is something we, as parents, can encourage in our kids.

Cashless, Digital, and Smart with Money

Unlike us, who grew up with piggy banks and cash allowances, Gen Z is fully embracing a cashless world. The Visa study found that 60% of Gen Z in Asia Pacific already own a credit card, and they rely on mobile wallets, online banking, and contactless payments for their daily transactions.

For them, managing money is not about carrying bills and coins—it’s about financial apps, mobile payments, and digital banking. Visa ensures that these transactions are secure with fraud protection and tokenization technology, giving our kids a safer way to navigate the digital economy.

What This Means for Us Moms

As moms, we always want to guide our kids toward making the right financial choices. Seeing how Gen Z is handling money, we can take away some key lessons:

Encourage saving early. If they’re already setting aside 30% of their income, they’re off to a great start! Helping them see the value of financial goals will only reinforce this habit.

Teach mindful spending. It’s okay to splurge on things that add value to their lives—but balancing that with savings and budgeting is key.

Help them navigate the digital finance world. Since Gen Z is going cashless, let’s make sure they understand how to protect their online transactions, avoid scams, and use financial tools wisely.

Introduce financial independence gradually. Instead of fearing credit cards and digital wallets, let’s educate them on how to use them responsibly. Visa, for example, offers features like Click to Pay and Tap to Pay, making transactions safer and easier.

Raising Money-Smart Kids for the Future

At the end of the day, our goal as moms is to raise independent, responsible adults—and that includes teaching them about money. Gen Z is already showing us that they value financial stability and are making smart, intentional choices.

By supporting their financial journey, we’re not just raising kids who can budget, save, and spend wisely—we’re raising confident, financially independent adults who are ready to take on the world. And isn’t that what we all want for them?