Financial anxiety is hitting Gen Z hard. Rising costs, mounting debt, and pathetic savings balances are creating stress for an entire generation. But according to Acorns CEO Noah Kerner, many young people aren't sitting around waiting for someone to rescue them. They're already taking matters into their own hands.
"This generation isn't waiting for a fix—they're leaning into self-reliance and building their own path to wealth, one small action at a time," Kerner told MarketDash. "They see the challenges clearly and are taking control of their financial futures where they can."
The Safety Net Might Not Be There
Here's the uncomfortable truth driving much of Gen Z's financial anxiety: they don't think anyone's coming to save them. Acorns' 2025 Money Matters Report revealed some sobering statistics about what young people expect from the future.
More than half of 18-35 year olds believe Social Security will be gone by the time they're eligible for benefits. Even more striking, 72% of this age group think they'll need to rely completely on themselves for retirement.
"That's not a lack of confidence; it's a clear recognition that systems like Social Security may not be there to support them in the end," Kerner explained.
Gen Z understands the financial challenges ahead, even if dwelling on them isn't productive. The report found that insufficient savings tops the worry list for Gen Z, while debt weighs heaviest on millennials.
Small Steps, Long Timeline
Kerner's advice centers on one core principle: invest regularly and let compounding do the heavy lifting. The goal is reaching a point where your money works harder for you than you work for it. Getting there takes time, which is precisely why starting early matters so much.
"Even a few dollars a day can add up to a lot over the long term," Kerner said. "Remember, that it's all about time in the market. If you don't invest and just keep your money in cash, you're losing out to inflation. Investing is about having a long-term horizon and being consistent with your approach. Be patient. Slow and steady wins the race."
Anyone can invest when markets are climbing. The real test comes during corrections and crashes, which shake even veteran investors. Kerner's message? Stay the course and ride out the dips.
"Don't let fear and anxiety pull you out of the market during turbulence," he emphasized. "We know that every downturn in history has ended in an upturn. Stick with it. Data shows that missing just the 10 best days in the market over 20 years can cut your returns in half."
Skip the Lottery Tickets
Side hustles are great for extra income, Kerner acknowledges, but if you're not investing those earnings, inflation is still eating away at your purchasing power. On the flip side, chasing speculative investments can wreck your finances just as thoroughly. Swinging for home runs often leads to strikeouts, especially for investors dabbling in high-risk plays like short-dated options.
"As alluring as it is, try to ignore the hype," Kerner said. "There really is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. Play the long game. Build simple, automated habits that will pay off over decades. What you invest consistently now in a diversified portfolio — even just a few dollars a day — will do more for your future than any high-stakes gamble."
Automation becomes your friend here. Setting up automatic transfers means your portfolio grows in the background while you focus on earning more money. You're not logging into your brokerage account and getting tempted by whatever speculative asset is trending on social media. Your wealth builds quietly, consistently, and without drama.
For a generation facing financial uncertainty without expecting institutional safety nets, that steady, unglamorous approach might be the smartest move of all.
