When brunch costs more than your future

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Published Date 8/15/2025

"I can't afford it," has no doubt become the most dreaded phrase at birthday brunches and weekend getaways for the younger set these days. But while nearly 60% of millennials and Gen Z will say yes to social plans, they may at the same time be saying no to their financial future—a cruel choice that previous generations rarely faced at age 25 according to Realtor.com’s Yael Bizouati-Kennedy.

“The math is brutal and unforgiving,” she says, noting that today's first-time homebuyer is 38 years old—three years older than just last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. In the meantime, 30-year mortgage rates hover at high levels. That means Gen Z represents a measly 3% of home purchases, while boomers snatch up 42% of available properties.

Not fair? Some would say it’s sad.

Bizouati-Kenndy sought out finance expert Steve Sexton, who puts it this way: ”Between social media influencers sharing sparkly content from their travels to your acquaintances posting their fifth 'euro summer' in a row, social media has taken the term 'keeping up with the Joneses' to the next level. And when homeownership seems so out of reach due to the current climate, it can feel tempting to allocate funds towards experiences as opposed to an unattainable financial goal."

The Ally Bank survey that uncovered these sobering statistics reveals a generation caught in a true bind. With high interest rates, crushing inflation, and student loan debt, homeownership has been pushed beyond the reach of most under age 40, even before that first latte purchase.

Women feel the pinch more than their male counterparts. Thirty percent of Gen Z and millennial women say social budgeting makes building savings difficult, compared to 22% of men. That means from birthday brunches to bachelorette weekends, the financial expectations pile up relentlessly.

Ally’s Jack Howard says, ”FOMO is real and can lead to overspending that harms our financial well-being. It's a generation navigating unprecedented financial headwinds.” Despite this feeling on the part of females, single women still outpace single men in homeownership across 47 of 50 states, owning about 2.72 million more homes according to LendingTree research.

Why? Evidently the solution isn't choosing between social connections and financial security—it's finding strategic balance between investments, savings, and spending habits. It’s reflecting on your values and long-term goals, that means striking a balance between learning from your past and investing for your future, while living mindfully in the present.

Intentional spending is key, since even small, purposeful choices compound over time. It’s not a matter of giving up everything. It’s just having a plan that allows you to say 'yes' to what matters today without sacrificing your future. When friends gather and openly discuss money pressures instead of pretending everything's fine, real solutions emerge, according to Bizouati-Kennedy. “The challenge isn't choosing between avocado toast and homeownership. It’s in creating a sustainable plan that addresses both present relationships and future dreams.”

Younger generations didn't invent nor create these economic conditions. But with honest conversations, strategic planning (and who knows — the use of ChatGPT to gather more information to make intentional choices), they might just find a way to have both the social connections they crave and the financial security they deserve.

Realtor, TBWS

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Jeff Beck

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American Home Lending USA, LLC

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