Why We’re All (Quietly) Reframing Our Relationship with Money

Not broke, but not ballin’ either.

Let’s be real for a second:

I’m not struggling to survive, but I’m also not out here living like a baller. I’m somewhere in that weird middle ground, bills are paid, fridge has food, but sometimes I look at my bank account and think, “That’s it?”

And I know I’m not the only one.

A lot of us, especially millennials, are starting to feel a quiet shift in our millennial money mindset, rethinking how we deal with money and life. Not because we suddenly cracked the code or got rich overnight, but because we’re just… tired.

Tired of budgeting every damn thing.
Tired of acting like skipping a ₱200 coffee is the secret to financial freedom.
Tired of carrying the pressure of always needing to do more, save more, hustle more and still feeling like it’s never enough.

When Budgeting Becomes a Burden

There was a phase when I was on top of it all.

Spreadsheets. Expense tracking apps. I knew where every peso went.

But eventually, that discipline turned into burnout. Suddenly, tracking my expenses became another chore. I’d skip buying something simple, like a haircut or decent snack, just to hit my “savings goal,” but I wasn’t even happy doing it.

I started to ask myself: what am I really saving for if I can’t enjoy the now?

Soft Saving: A Key Shift in the Millennial Money Mindset

It’s not that I gave up on saving. I still do but softer.

“Soft saving” is how I’d describe it. Not aggressive. Not depriving. Just realistic. I still put money aside, but I also don’t guilt-trip myself for spending a little on things that make life feel less gray.

Soft saving is becoming a trend among millennials, a more balanced approach to money that focuses on living without constant financial guilt.

Like good coffee. A refreshing Jamba Juice. Catching a movie. A massage that actually helps. A nice lunch with friends.

Because sometimes, ₱500 spent on something that lifts your mood is a better investment than watching that same amount sit in your bank account, untouched, while your mental health suffers.

This softer approach is part of the new millennial money mindset, less guilt, more balance, and a focus on mental health as much as savings.

Inflation Is Quietly Wiping Us Out

There’s this weird feeling of making “more” than you did a few years ago… but having less.

That raise you got? Cancelled out by higher rent. That side hustle? Eaten up by groceries and bills.

Everything is more expensive now, even the bare minimum.

I used to think ₱1,000 could get me through a weekend. Now it barely covers a full meal and a few errands. It’s like you can’t win even when you’re trying to be responsible. It’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re stuck in a loop. We’re not financially unstable, but we’re not exactly moving forward either.

Why the Millennial Money Mindset Still Feels Guilty About Joys

One thing I’ve noticed is this low-key guilt we carry for spending on ourselves.

We second-guess every little thing:

“Do I really need these shoes?”
“Should I just drink instant coffee instead of grabbing Jamba Juice?”
“Is watching a movie today too much?”
“Maybe I should just wait for a sale.”

The mindset is so wired into us that treating ourselves feels wrong.

But why does taking care of ourselves or enjoying the fruits of our hard work, have to feel like a sin?

We’re taught to delay gratification. But at what point are we just delaying life?

Not Chasing Millions, Just Peace

At this stage, most of us aren’t chasing wild riches anymore. Sure, financial security is the goal, but we also want peace. Breathing room. The ability to say yes to plans without checking the bank app first.

We’re slowly realizing that wealth isn’t always about big numbers.

Sometimes, it’s just being able to afford a peaceful Sunday.
Not stressing over bills.
Buying something without needing to explain or justify it.

That’s the new version of “rich” and honestly, I’m okay with that.

Bottom Line: The Millennial Money Mindset Is About Balance

For me, embracing this millennial money mindset means peace, not pressure, saving smart while still living today. We don’t need to live large to feel alive.

So yeah, I’m not broke, but I’m not ballin’ either. I’m just trying to live.

Trying to find that balance between being smart and being kind to myself.
Trying to save for the future, but also live in the present.
Trying to drop the shame around spending on things that make life feel a little easier, a little brighter.

And I think a lot of us are on that same path, quietly shifting, adapting, and unlearning the money rules we grew up with.

How about you? Has your relationship with money changed, too?
Whether you’re budgeting hard, soft saving, or just surviving day to day, you’re not alone.

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