Survey reveals Gen Z’ers are cutting own hair and washing clothes in bathtub to save money
Jan 7, 2026, 6:52 PM | Updated: Jan 8, 2026, 9:47 am
A new study finds that more than half of Gen Z’ers are cutting their own hair, while others are even washing their clothes in the bathtub to stretch their dollars.
Despite these efforts, nearly seven in 10 young adults worry they’ll never retire comfortably. Many are juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and 56 percent say they feel like they have no life outside of work.
A Talker Research survey of 2,000 hourly Gen Z workers paints a stark picture of a generation stretched to the limit. The grind isn’t translating into security—68 percent doubt they’ll ever enjoy retirement.
In 2025 alone, money worries took a toll on their social lives (72 percent), mental health (67 percent), and physical health (62 percent).
Those confident about retiring are averaging two jobs, compared with just one for those uncertain about their future. This raises a tough question: Will multiple jobs become the norm just to ever stop working?
77 percent of Gen Z expect to work past the typical retirement age. Half anticipate full-time work into later years, while 29 percent foresee at least part-time work. Even amid this pessimism, 67 percent are still saving for retirement—but among those who doubt they’ll ever retire.
Read more about Gen Z’s financial future here.
