How to Shop Like a Gen Z and Save Money Like a Boss
Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, is known for being tech-savvy, socially conscious, and financially savvy. They have grown up in a world of online shopping, social media, and digital payments, and they know how to find the best deals, compare prices, and use coupons. Here are some of the shopping hacks that Gen Z uses that millennials can learn from and apply to their own spending habits.
- Use cashback apps and websites. Gen Z loves getting money back for their purchases, and they use apps and websites like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Swagbucks to earn cashback, gift cards, or rewards points for shopping online or in-store. These apps and websites partner with thousands of retailers and offer different percentages of cashback depending on the store and the category. Some of them also offer sign-up bonuses, referral bonuses, and extra cashback for completing certain tasks or surveys.
- Shop secondhand or rent clothes. Gen Z is more environmentally conscious than previous generations, and they prefer to shop secondhand or rent clothes instead of buying new ones. They use platforms like Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, and Rent the Runway to buy, sell, or rent clothes that are in good condition and match their style. This way, they can save money, reduce waste, and refresh their wardrobe without breaking the bank.
- Use browser extensions and coupon codes. Gen Z knows how to find the lowest prices and the best discounts online, and they use browser extensions and coupon codes to help them do that. They use extensions like Honey, Wikibuy, and Capital One Shopping to automatically apply coupon codes, compare prices across different websites, and track price drops on items they want to buy. They also use websites like RetailMeNot, Slickdeals, and Groupon to find coupon codes, promo codes, and deals for various products and services.
- Follow brands and influencers on social media. Gen Z is very active on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, and they follow brands and influencers that they like or trust. They use social media to discover new products, get recommendations, watch reviews, and learn about sales, discounts, giveaways, and contests. They also engage with brands and influencers by liking, commenting, sharing, or tagging their posts, which can sometimes earn them rewards or freebies.
- Use digital wallets and payment apps. Gen Z is comfortable with using digital wallets and payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal to pay for their purchases online or in-store. They use these apps to avoid carrying cash or cards, enjoy faster checkout times, earn rewards or cashback, split bills with friends or family, send or receive money instantly, and track their spending habits.
- Shop during off-seasons or holidays. Gen Z knows how to plan ahead and shop during off-seasons or holidays when prices are lower and deals are better. They use tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to track the price history of items on Amazon and see when they are likely to go on sale. They also use websites like BlackFriday.com or CyberMonday.com to find out about the best deals and offers for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. They also shop during other holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc., when retailers offer discounts or free shipping.
- Use loyalty programs and subscriptions. Gen Z likes to be loyal to brands that offer them value and convenience, and they use loyalty programs and subscriptions to get benefits like free shipping, discounts, points, samples, or exclusive access. They use programs like Amazon Prime, Target Circle, Sephora Beauty Insider, or Starbucks Rewards to enjoy perks like free two-day shipping, 5% off every purchase, free birthday gifts, or free drinks. They also use subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, or Audible to access unlimited entertainment content for a monthly fee.
These are some of the shopping hacks that Gen Z uses that millennials can learn from and save money like a boss. By using these hacks, you can shop smarter, spend less, and get more value for your money.
