u/Admirable_Mobile8383

Recently started reading about Arthur Schopenhauer — a philosopher who was basically famous for being extremely pessimistic about human nature and society.

One quote from him stuck with me:

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And honestly it feels very relevant financially for people aged 16–25 now.

A lot of spending today seems driven by:

• fitting in
• keeping up
• looking successful
• copying lifestyles online

After a while people stop making financial decisions for themselves and start making them socially.

Think that’s why so many people end up financially stressed while still trying to look like they’re doing well.

Curious what other people think about that idea.

Feels like modern life constantly pushes people our age into emotional spending without them even noticing.

Bad day?
Order food.

Bored?
Buy something online.

Stressed?
“Treat yourself.”

Lonely?
Go spend money somewhere.

Everything now feels built around turning emotions into purchases.

I honestly think a lot of financial problems for younger people don’t start with being irresponsible…

they start with never learning how emotions affect spending habits.

The scary part is companies massively benefit from people staying impulsive and emotionally reactive.

I don’t think enough people talk about how much social media changes spending behaviour for people aged 16–25.

You open apps every day and constantly see:

• expensive holidays
• outfits
• cars
• “self care”
• eating out
• perfect lifestyles

After a while, unrealistic spending starts feeling normal psychologically.

I think a lot of people aren’t actually bad with money naturally…

they’re just surrounded by constant comparison and pressure to keep up.

Feels like financial awareness now is also learning how to separate real life from online life.

Curious if anyone else has noticed this with themselves or people around them.

Feels like one of the biggest changes happening right now is how quickly AI and automation are starting to affect entry-level work.

A lot of jobs younger people usually rely on:

basic admin
repetitive online work
simple customer service
beginner creative work
are slowly becoming automated or reduced.

I don’t think enough people our age are thinking about what that means financially long term.

Feels like:
saving money
building discipline
learning useful skills
avoiding bad financial habits

are becoming more important than ever because stability in the future might look very different from what people expect now.

Curious what other people think about it.