“Uncertainty can sometimes paralyze people into not taking action,” Thiegs said. “But inaction is the real risk.”

Thiegs points to three areas within people’s control where they can take meaningful action today: spending, saving and investing.

How should Gen Z approach budgeting?

Budgeting doesn’t have to mean tracking every dollar from day one.

“Let’s face it, most people don’t love budgeting,” Thiegs said.

When thinking about how to start, a Lao Tzu proverb applies: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Rather than building a detailed, line-by-line budget upfront, Thiegs suggests starting with simple awareness:

• Review paystubs and statements. Pull recent bank and credit card statements to get a ballpark sense of what’s coming in and going out.
• Identify spending categories. Once you have a general picture of cash flow, layer in categories — such as rent, food and utilities — to understand where money is actually going.
• Use the tools already available. Many banking apps offer built-in budgeting features and spending trackers that can help you get started without a spreadsheet.

The goal at this stage isn’t perfection. It’s clarity.

How can Gen Z build a savings habit?

Building a savings habit while keeping up with daily expenses is one of the most common challenges young adults face. Thiegs recommends the same principle that applies to budgeting: ease into it.

If you’re saving toward a specific goal, estimate the total cost and divide it by the number of months you have available, Thiegs said. For example, saving $250 per month for 24 months to reach a $6,000 car downpayment.

“Some months you’ll hit it, some months you won’t,” Thiegs said. “What matters is knowing whether you’re on track or off. Instead of asking, ‘Will I ever afford this?’ the question becomes, ‘Am I moving closer this month?’ That shift replaces anxiety with agency.”

Many banking apps allow you to set up automatic recurring transfers from a checking account to a savings account — ideally timed to paydays — so saving happens before you have a chance to spend.

How can Gen Z start investing?

Retirement can feel impossibly distant to someone in their 20s. But that distance is exactly what makes early investing so powerful.

“The number of years you allow your money to grow often has more influence than the amount you put into it,” Thiegs said.

Getting started is easier than many people expect:

• Workplace retirement plans. Many employers offer 401(k) plans that allow contributions directly from each paycheck, often with employer matching.
• Individual retirement accounts. If an employer-sponsored plan isn’t available, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are another vehicle for tax-advantaged long-term growth.
• Low minimums. Many investment platforms allow you to start with small amounts, making early participation accessible even on an entry-level salary.

“Starting small — and starting early — can change the entire arc of your financial future,” Thiegs said.

How can a financial advisor help Gen Z build confidence?

The 2026 U.S. Bank survey found one group that consistently reports feeling more grounded amid economic uncertainty: those who have worked with a financial advisor or have a financial plan in place. These individuals aren’t necessarily earning more or facing fewer challenges — they simply tend to approach financial stress with more confidence and clarity.

Thiegs is direct about the benefits of professional guidance: “Financial advisors can provide perspective, education and reassurance even before young people have significant assets.”

Many financial institutions now offer services tailored to those just beginning to invest, including the option to work with an advisor or a team of advisors at accessible entry points.

“The future will always carry uncertainty,” Thiegs said. “Confidence grows not from controlling outcomes, but from controlling your actions.”

Where to start

Feeling financially uncertain is common for Gen Z, and according to a 2026 U.S. Bank survey, the feeling spans nearly all Americans. But uncertainty doesn’t have to mean paralysis. The framework Thomas Thiegs recommends is straightforward: focus on spending awareness, set a savings habit, invest as early as you can and consider connecting with a financial professional who can help you build and maintain a plan.

You don’t need to control the economy. You just need to control what you can, Thiegs said.