The health crisis caused by COVID-19 is steadily making way for an economic crisis as businesses seek support in restarting operations and individuals face up to job insecurity. Canvas8 spoke to 17 people in the UK and US to find out how their spending habits have been impacted by the pandemic.

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of people’s lives and a looming recession means the worst may yet be in store. Having grown up in the wake of the 2008 crash, Gen Zers are already alert to financial precarity, but how will coming of age during a pandemic shape their relationship with money?

Feelings of shame around debt and a lack of engagement from traditional institutions have long hindered financial discussions among women. Gen Y ‘finfluencers’ are changing this status quo, using their social media savvy and relatability to improve their followers’ relationships with money.

The financial impacts of the pandemic have been felt by many, but the effect on lower-income and minority Americans has been particularly great. As these groups dig deeper into depleting savings, finance brands have opportunities to help empower people by offering support through the crisis.