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Gen Z’s Little Treats: The Small Splurges They Won’t Cut Out

No matter how high prices climb, for Gen Z, there are some small splurges they’ll never give up…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Mar 24 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Despite inflation and rising costs, young consumers still prioritize small splurges that bring them joy
Food-related expenses are the top non-negotiable small splurges for young adults, with fast food at number one
For young adult women, cosmetics are an indulgence they can’t give up, while movie tickets are splurges young adult men value too much to go without

Gen Z is fully embracing a “little treat” lifestyle, finding joy in small splurges when saving up for big-ticket purchases feels out of reach. (Or maybe at the same time, for those fueling the joy economy!) Because of inflation and rising costs, it’s becoming harder for them to justify dropping a large amount of money on singular purchases. YPulse’s Finance / Spending Monitor shows 77% of 13-39-year-olds agree, “Inflation has impacted my spending over the last year.” So instead, these young consumers are elevating their everyday lives through accessible “premium” products. Whether it’s a fancy coffee or luxury snacks, even...