New Delhi, Nov. 23 -- A decade ago, your first big purchase was predictable. A car. A branded bag. Maybe even a down payment on a home. These were trophies of financial freedom, the first proof that you had "made it."

But for India's Gen Z, that milestone looks entirely different. Their first big splurge is no longer a possession. It's a ticket, a group trip, a weekend away, a music festival-in short, a memory.

Instead of delaying gratification, this generation is simply redefining it. And in doing so, they're reshaping how young India spends, saves and thinks about financial wellness.

A survey of 4,621 respondents by Under25 found that 37% would make their first big splurge on a vacation or trip, compared to 26% for a car/bike, 20% fo...