Financial pressures drive Gen Z’s value-conscious behavior, but they’re also seeking social identity and shared experience through small indulgences. The soda hack is often documented and celebrated on TikTok, with users showcasing their creativity and thrift as points of pride. Economic constraints become part of a collective ethos: living large on little, and making the most out of limited means.
For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
