India, Jan. 14 -- For decades, Indian youngsters were raised on a familiar script: secure a stable job, save every rupee, buy a house and stash away gold for emergencies. Travel was seen as a rare indulgence, something to save up for rather than a necessity. But Gen Z is rewriting that narrative in real time. Instead of saving for a distant future, they are borrowing to live in the "now".

A recent viral reel by finance creator Sarthak Ahuja, which garnered over 4.2 million views, brought this shift into sharp focus. "Gen Z would rather spend money on buying happiness today through experiences and status-driven consumer goods," he said. The trend is reflected in data as well. Paisabazaar's report How India Travels Using Holiday Loans Volu...