Feeling Hopeless About Money? Gen Z Go-To Economist Has a Simple Plan to Build Your Future. S&P 500

In a world of daunting headlines and economic anxiety, it’s easy for young people to feel like the game is rigged. This feeling has a name: “financial nihilism,” a sense of hopelessness that drives decisions like racking up debt instead of saving for the future. But according to Kyla Scanlon, one of Gen Z’s most trusted economic voices, there is a powerful and surprisingly simple antidote.

Scanlon, who famously coined the term “vibecession” to describe the gap between strong economic data and negative public sentiment, is on a mission to combat the disillusionment she sees plaguing her generation.

“They’re very mad,” she explained in a recent Bloomberg interview. “They’re extremely anxious, and they’re extremely distrustful.”

This distrust, she notes, leads many to believe that building wealth is impossible unless you’re in the top 5%. But Scanlon offers a powerful counter-narrative. “Generational wealth has to start somewhere,” she insists. “That’s why investing is important.”

So, how does she turn that philosophy into action? It’s not about risky bets or trying to time the market. Instead, her core strategy is accessible to anyone.

“The way I do it is I put $50 every month into the S&P 500—no matter what,” Scanlon revealed.

This simple, consistent approach allows anyone to begin building a stake in the broader economy by investing in 500 of the largest U.S. companies. It’s a classic “buy and hold” strategy that prioritizes long-term growth over short-term panic.

While the S&P 500 is her foundation, Scanlon’s portfolio also reflects her personality. She owns stock in United Airlines because she’s a frequent flyer and in the salad chain Sweetgreen simply because she loves their food. This “invest in what you know” approach demystifies the process, making it more relatable and less intimidating. Her portfolio is further balanced with utility ETFs, bonds, gold, and a small amount of crypto, showing the value of diversification.

Scanlon’s ultimate message is one of empowerment. She challenges young people to look past the chaotic daily news cycle and the online “pump-and-dump” schemes that promise easy riches but often lead to losses.

“The day-to-day news flow can make it seem like it’s not worth it. It’s scary,” she admitted. “But it is worth it, especially if you think on a long-term horizon, which I challenge everybody to do. It’s totally worth it.”