The current generation entering adulthood, Gen Z, is increasingly seeking financial wisdom from within the family circle rather than banks, famed entrepreneurs, or celebrities.
This preference is substantiated by a recent study conducted by Morning Brew and Generation Lab, which revealed that a significant 64% of college students consult their parents or other family members for financial counsel.
This survey, engaging a representative cohort of 978 college students across the United States, ran from October 11 to 16, uncovering that when in need of financial guidance, only 12% would consider a mentor, while traditional sources like banks and celebrities garnered less than 10% preference each.
Further insights from the survey indicate that 45% of Gen Z anticipate financial success by their 30s, aspiring to a milestone of $1 million in net worth, with figures like Microsoft's Bill Gates as their financial exemplar.
However, it's important to note that not all Gen Z'ers view their parents as financial paragons. An Experian survey highlighted that approximately 28% of those polled do not perceive their parents as positive financial role models, despite over 60% acknowledging financial reliance on them.
Beyond familial advice, nearly half of Gen Z in the U.S. are utilizing social media as a primary resource for investment and financial learning, as found in a collaborative survey by the CFA Institute and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation.
This source narrowly surpasses both web searches and family, underscoring the diversified avenues through which the younger generation is pursuing financial literacy.