Today on That Digital Take, we’re diving deep into something every creator, student, and young professional has felt: the pressure to keep up online, especially when it comes to money. Social media tells us we’re “behind” long before our bank accounts do. From seeing constant travel, apartment makeovers, brand deals, and “glow-up content,” it’s no surprise that so many of us tie our financial worth to our online worth. I’ve been there, overspending for optics, chasing the highlight reel, and losing track of real financial stability. That’s why today’s conversation is such an important one. I’m joined by financial expert and RBC partner Melissa Leong to break down RBC’s new report: The Cost of Keeping Up: How Social Media Shapes Gen Z’s Money Mindset. And trust me, the findings are WILD: • Nearly half of Gen Z think about money every day • 1/3 have skipped meals to save money • 64% feel financially behind because of what they see online We unpack how social media fuels comparison culture, why the “keep up” cycle is so emotionally draining, and how to build real financial confidence in a digital world. Melissa also shares practical tools from the report, like “Press Pause” strategies, feed audits, the two-day rule, accountability groups, and financial goal-setting tips that actually stick. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, student, or young person navigating money + media at the same time, this episode is a MUST-listen. In This Episode We Cover: • Gen Z’s financial reality: stress, expectations, and the income gap • How social media affects spending habits + self-worth • The psychology behind comparison and online pressure • Creator-specific money challenges: optics vs. stability • Melissa Leong’s “Press Pause” framework for financial clarity • Building healthy money habits: automation, intention, and community • How to set goals based on your real life — not the algorithm Featured Guest: Melissa Leong Financial expert, speaker, bestselling author, and RBC partner sharing insights from the new RBC report: The Cost of Keeping Up. Read the full report here ➝ rbc.com/genzmoneymindset Key Topics for Search: Gen Z money stress, social media comparison, financial anxiety, money mindset tips, creator finances, how social media impacts spending, RBC Gen Z report, Melissa Leong interview, financial confidence, budgeting tips, digital wellness, online comparison culture, money and mental health, financial independence in your 20s, money advice for creators. Final Thoughts Success doesn’t come from keeping up, it comes from slowing down, setting intentional goals, and building confidence in your own lane. This episode is all about reclaiming your financial clarity, separating your real life from the online highlight reel, and learning how to press pause when the digital pressure gets loud. If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly deep dives into digital culture, creator life, and the stories shaping our online world. Thanks for listening — love you, mean it! See you next week on That Digital Take.
