Between Anxiety and Ambition: How the New Generation Is Redefining Saving and Investing

By Sheikha Suhaila Fahad Al-Sabah
Managing Editor

In an era where economic certainties are eroding one after another, the new generation seems to stand alone before a harsh financial landscape, without ready-made plans or guaranteed solutions. What was once considered a safe path to stability, a secure job, regular savings, and gradual investment is now nothing more than impractical formulas in a reality where prices are rising faster than salaries, and where the rules of the labor market are changing before new entrants can grasp them.

Thus, young people find themselves compelled to redefine the concept of financial security from its very foundations, not out of rebellion, but under the pressure of a merciless economic reality.

This generation has grown up watching dreams of owning a home or building wealth through long-term savings recede into the background, until they seem like projects postponed indefinitely. Real estate prices have skyrocketed, and debt has become almost a normal part of starting a career, while a job alone is no longer a guarantee of stability.

In this climate, faith in traditional solutions has eroded, and a widespread sense of futility has begun to permeate the financial consciousness of young people—a bitter feeling, but understandable within its context.

This has given rise to what is now known as ‘financial nihilism’, a psychological and economic condition embraced by young people who believe that adhering to old rules will only lead them to spin in the same cycle. This frustration has not remained confined to emotions; it has translated into bold, and sometimes reckless, financial behaviors. Many have turned to cryptocurrencies and engaged in rapid speculation and gambling, not so much out of a love for risk as out of a desperate search for a shortcut.

Here, the question shifts from condemnation to understanding: Are we witnessing a mass escape from a dead end, or a rational response to an economy that has lost its traditional logic?

The new generation is not a monolith, but it shares distinct financial characteristics. We are talking about young people at the beginning of their careers, who have entered the job market and are accumulating limited financial surpluses, but without a clear investment strategy. This generation is quintessentially tech-savvy, managing money through apps and digital platforms, measuring opportunities in terms of quick returns and high figures. They are highly susceptible to the narratives of meteoric success that permeate social media, where a single exception becomes the norm, while stories of loss and failure are obscured.

On the other hand, it cannot be ignored that this generation is more aware than its predecessors of ethical and social responsibility issues, which is sometimes reflected in their investment choices. However, this awareness clashes with the harsh reality of inflation, which erodes the value of traditional savings, and a lack of trust in traditional financial institutions. Meanwhile, the allure of quick riches tempts many to skip the stages of understanding and planning.

Even more dangerous is that some young people, under the pressure of life or driven by a desire to enjoy the moment, deplete their savings in immediate consumer patterns without a clear vision for the future. This behavior is understandable from a human perspective, but it is financially worrying. The core of the problem lies not in the ambition of young people, but in the intellectual void they find themselves in.
The absence of a clear investment culture leaves them with choices that are either extremely conservative or extremely risky, with no mature middle ground.

When we ask: Who is responsible for this lack of awareness? We find no single answer. While it is true that official bodies and financial institutions repeatedly emphasize saving and planning, and stress that financial independence begins with small steps, this discourse often remains theoretical, far removed from the language and daily realities of young people. Statistics clearly indicate that a large segment of youth saves nothing from their income, meaning the message has not been received, or has not been presented effectively.

Discussions about financial literacy should not remain mere slogans, but rather a comprehensive project that begins with early education, where students learn the meaning of saving, investing, and risk-taking before receiving their first paycheck.

We need practical awareness programs that do not just warn, but explain, train, and utilize tools this generation understands, from digital payment applications to automated savings mechanisms that transform financial responsibility into a habit, not a burden. Investing in human capital, through workshops and community courses, is no longer a luxury but a necessity in a rapidly changing world.

At the investment level, the discourse must be rebalanced. Saving should not be presented as the antithesis of ambition, nor should high-risk investment be portrayed as the only path to success. True understanding begins with distinguishing between saving for emergencies and short-term goals, and investing for the long term with rationality and diversification. This understanding alone can protect young people from falling into the trap of emotional decisions.

The responsibility here does not lie solely with individuals. Government agencies and relevant institutions are required to play a more prominent and transparent role, especially in raising awareness. Stories of small projects that begin with enthusiasm and end in losses within a year are no longer exceptional. Many of these failures stem from poor choices, a project that is not suited to the owner’s capabilities, or a lack of follow-up and commitment.

Some young people enter the world of investment without the time, patience, or knowledge, only to be surprised that reality is harsher than the glamorous image of the opening.

Amidst all this, the golden rule remains valid regardless of changing times: saving should precede spending, not be leftovers. This simple shift in mindset makes a tremendous difference in the long run. As for investing, it should not be a leap into the unknown, but rather a conscious decision built on understanding, experience, and gradual implementation.

The financial uncertainty experienced by the new generation is not a sign of failure, but a reflection of a turbulent economic world. The real test lies not in rejecting ambition or pursuing it recklessly, but in the ability to balance boldness with caution.

This balance does not emerge from a vacuum, but from a well-established financial culture, genuine institutional support, and responsible media that acknowledges the complexity of the situation instead of marketing it as an easily attainable dream. Only then can young people redefine financial security, not as an impossible dream, but as a realistic and achievable path.