96: What is Financial Nihilism?

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of financial nihilism — and why so many people today feel disconnected from traditional money advice, long-term planning, and the promise that “doing everything right” will pay off.We unpack what financial nihilism actually is, why younger generations are increasingly saying “what’s the point?”, and how rising costs, housing inaccessibility, stagnant wages, burnout, and social media distortion have created a perfect storm of distrust around money. We also talk about the emotional toll of being “fine on paper” while feeling anxious underneath, and why reckless spending, over-saving, doom spending, or checking out financially may all stem from the same root issue: uncertainty.In today’s episode, we discuss: What financial nihilism is — and why it’s more common than people think  Why many people no longer trust traditional financial milestones like homeownership, retirement, or slow wealth-building  How high housing costs, stagnant wages, debt, and economic instability are shaping money beliefs  Why some people respond with risky behaviour (crypto, sports betting, speculation) while others respond with hyper-control (over-saving, chronic anxiety, fear of spending)  The psychology of “if the future feels broken, the present gets expensive”  How financial nihilism can show up even when someone has a stable income, savings, or looks successful on paper  The antidote to financial nihilismReferenced in this episode:Wubba Lubba Done With Money: The Absurdity of Financial Nihilism (Medium) Financial Nihilism research article (Taylor & Francis, 2025)  Philosophical perspectives on nihilism and meaning (PhilArchive) World Economic Forum article: Gen Z, Financial Nihilism & The Great Wealth TransferYahoo Finance report on the rise of financial nihilism among younger generationsThanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time!