36% of Americans would choose to get financial advice from social media over traditional financial advisers

Many Gen Zers are redefining wealth and work, aspiring not just to retire early but to gain the freedom to leave jobs they dislike. According to The Great Wealth Reset, a 2025 survey by The Harris Poll for dub, Gen Z sees 32 as the ideal age for financial independence, with 94% aiming to achieve it by 55. Most, however, aren’t relying on traditional 9-to-5 jobs to get there — 60% say such roles won’t help meet their goals. Instead, they’re turning to side hustles, freelancing, and entrepreneurship.

With social media and digital platforms, opportunities for creators and entrepreneurs have expanded rapidly — making viral content or building a business online is far more accessible than in the past. At the same time, rising inequality and inflation have fueled skepticism about traditional systems.

A broader Gen Z trend: relying on social media for financial education. The same report found 62% of Gen Z get financial advice from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, compared to just 36% of the general population.

While BI acknowledges that many online financial influencers lack credentials, he says Gen Z values accessibility and control over traditional expertise. “This goes back to being more in control of your own finances and sort of your own destiny,” he said. As trust in big banks and legacy institutions fades, Gen Z is increasingly building wealth on their own terms.