6 End-of-Year Charitable Giving Strategies to Give with Heart and Strategy

Let’s be honest: money stress is real. Whether it’s the anxiety of checking your account balance before payday or the comparison game that happens every time you scroll through social media, our finances can take a serious toll on our mental health.  

In fact, CNBC reports that 42 percent of people under 30 say they are struggling financially, and 39 percent of Gen Z adults said they feel stressed about their finances. This is higher than any of the other generations.  

Add to that Gen Z faces a higher cost of living than other generations, according to research from the TEFL Academy. Housing, education, and essentials costs have all gone up significantly in recent years. Plus, we are comparing ourselves to our peers on social media, making the stress worse.  

But the good news is that time is on our side as Gen Zers, and we have the ability to build our financial wellness stronger than ever, despite our environmental challenges.  

Financial wellness goes beyond just saving and budgeting into protecting your peace, understanding your emotions, and realizing you’re not alone in this journey. 

The Link Between Credit and Confidence 

During our NexGen Wealth Talks, my colleague Kellie Navarro explained that your credit score is your financial reputation. It shows lenders, landlords, and even employers how reliable you are with money. The higher your score, the more opportunities open up — from renting your first apartment to getting a car loan at a lower interest rate. 

But building good credit doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from consistent habits — paying bills on time, keeping your credit use under 30%, and remembering that a credit card is a tool, not an extension of your wallet. 

Here’s what that means in practice: 

• Pay on time, every time. Even one late payment can hurt your score. 

• Use less than you have. If your credit limit is $1,000, try to keep your balance under $300. 

• Don’t fall for myths. You don’t need to carry a balance to build credit, and closing an old card can actually hurt your score. 

Small habits like both improve your credit score and build confidence. Because when you’re in control of your money, you start to feel more in control of your life. 

The Comparison Trap 

Our generation grew up online, where everyone seems to be “winning” financially. You see people posting new cars, trips, or apartments—but not the credit card bills, the help from family, or the financial stress behind the scenes.  

In college, I remember scrolling through Instagram and wondering how everyone my age was affording so much—fun trips and nice things. It wasn’t until later that I realized many were charging it all to credit cards or getting help from their parents. 

That experience shifted my perspective. I learned that progress isn’t a race against others, it’s personal. Everyone’s financial story has unseen context. And the constant comparison only leads to anxiety and impulsive spending. 

I am not alone in those comparisons. The Cybersmile Foundation found that 89 percent of my Gen Z peers compare themselves to others online and 96 percent of them said they were emotionally impacted in some way when they did so. Plus, 34 percent of them felt the most pressure when they started comparing their finances to those of their peers.  

One way to battle that is to shift the comparison inward and focusing on your own goals, your timing, and your progress. Once you stop comparing yourself to others, you can finally feel proud of where you are, without the pressure to catch up. 

Your Worth Does Not Equal Your Net Worth 

At times, I’ve looked at my account balance and felt like it said something about me—like I wasn’t doing enough or wasn’t successful enough. But that’s not how it works. 

Your worth isn’t measured by your balance. It’s measured by your growth. Financial challenges are temporary. Your value is not. 

Success isn’t about how much you have, it’s about discipline, direction, and consistency. What matters most is learning, improving, and showing up for yourself, even when progress feels slow. 

Talking About It is Important 

Money is one of the biggest silent stressors in our lives, but everyone deals with it. When we talk about money—honestly—it removes the shame and replaces it with understanding. 

Conversations with friends, mentors, or family can lead to smarter decisions and stronger support systems. Financial vulnerability is a form of strength, not weakness. The more we normalize talking about money, the easier it becomes to manage. 

So if there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s this: Financial wellness is about more than dollars and cents. It’s about balance, mindset, and mental peace. 

You can build good credit and financial stability—but remember, your greatest asset isn’t your score or your salary. It’s your ability to stay grounded, consistent, and kind to yourself along the way. 

This material contains general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies. Nothing in this article should be construed as a recommendation for your personal situation, nor should it be used to make decisions before you discuss your needs with your financial advisor.