Investing, saving, or spending – what young adults need to know about money

28/08/2026

Investing, saving, or spending – what young adults need to know about money

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In this short business rap, we meet Johanna Melzer, a student trainee at coeo.

Financial education: a matter for schools or the home?

Definitely both.

But the school must provide this basic education; otherwise, it depends too heavily on chance whether the family home can manage it.

First paycheck: Save or spend?

Save

But it is also okay to buy yourself something small. Your first paycheck is naturally something special, so I understand the desire to buy something you have been waiting a long time for. The key is balance. Financial literacy doesn't mean going without everything; it means being able to make conscious decisions.

Stocks: Too risky or waited too long?

Waited too long

But you definitely need the basic knowledge to get started with options like ETFs and lower risk.

Talking about money: a taboo or long overdue?

Long overdue

Few people get a clear picture of their own financial situation. Openly discussing the subject would change that.

Financial decisions: Gut feeling or crunching the numbers?

Double-check the calculations

And in doing so, gain a feel for one's finances. Ultimately, it is about keeping track of income and expenses and understanding how they relate to each other. That is precisely where managing your money well begins.

Financial products: Too complicated or insufficiently explained?

Not enough explanation

The lack of knowledge regarding financial decisions—some of which are highly relevant to everyday life—is primarily due to a lack of systematic education on the subject.

BNPL: Practical tool or underestimated risk?

The error lies elsewhere.

The real mistake lies in broadly categorizing financial products as either good or bad without explaining to young people what lies behind them. Products such as BNPL or installment plans simply exist. Above all, it is important to understand what they mean for one's own financial situation.

University Studies and Money: More Financial Literacy in the Curriculum or Self-Taught?

More financial literacy in the curriculum

Some individuals may take a greater interest in finance and thus show more initiative in engaging with such topics. However, a subject so relevant to both daily life and the future should not depend on personal interest.

AI as a financial advisor: Trustworthy or too impersonal?

Trustworthy

But approach it with caution—as is the case with so much when dealing with AI. It’s a good option for quick, basic questions, but I personally wouldn’t rely on it for complex, individual decisions.

Financial Literacy Among Gen Z: Underestimated or on the Right Track?

On the right track

But there is plenty of room for improvement. In fact, there are already a number of institutions dedicated to financial education for young people. With each new project, we manage to strengthen the subject step by step, with the ultimate goal of having it systematically anchored in the curriculum.

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