How Much Should Gen Zers Save From Their Paychecks in 2026?

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If you’ve ever gotten your paycheck and wondered much of it you should actually be saving, you’re not alone. Between rent, student loans, side hustles and that daily cold brew habit, figuring out how much to stash away can feel like solving a financial puzzle. 

According to CNBC, when it comes to saving, many Gen Zers are dangerously asking “What’s the point?” As 2026 approaches, here’s a way to rewrite the rules of money management — where saving doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the fun stuff. 

Here’s a simple breakdown of how much Gen Zers should consider saving from their paychecks.

Target To Save a Minimum of 25% of Your Earnings

“For me, they must target to save a minimum of 25% of their earnings by 2026,” said Michael Benoit, licensed insurance broker and founder of California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services.

That might seem high, but he said an early start gives you the only thing older generations don’t have, which is time. 

Even small investments that are done regularly during your 20s will multiply into the six figures in your 40s. “To a person that earns $4,000 a month, saving $1,000 divided between different purposes creates direction and control over their money,” he said.

Begin With Three Different Buckets

Benoit recommended young professionals begin with three different buckets. 

The first is an emergency fund of three or six months’ worth of expenditures. The second is a long-term investment account that ideally is a Roth IRA or employer-sponsored 401(k) with tax-free or tax-deferred compounding in your favor. The third, he explained, is a flexible account for goals like travel or a car purchase. 

“Keeping these separate helps them see progress without having the feeling of being deprived,” he said.

Saving Money for a House Can Be a Real Goal

Saving money for a house is a real goal, according to Scott Bialek, co-founder of Hurst Lending. “It’s more motivating than just putting money aside for a rainy day. It’s a step toward making money over time,” he said. 

He noted that things change in life, and you might want to buy a house sooner than you think. “If you have that money ready, you’ll have choices and control over your future,” he said.

Additional Expert Advice for Gen Z

“From my observation, this generation will be financially strong by automatically saving, not borrowing at high interest rates and investing at an early age in low-cost index funds,” Benoit said.

He added that those habits also produce freedom in the future where you are in a position to make decisions out of confidence and not high pressure.

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