Gen Zs could make a grocery list sound like a TikTok trend. When it comes to money, they’ve turned cold, hard cash into a whole vibe, something that’s equal parts hustle, humor, and flex.
Based on all I’ve seen so far, I can categorically tell you that Gen Zs money terms aren’t just about dollars and cents.
They’re about living. Even if it’s stacking cash for a startup or blowing “loot” on concert tickets, every word tells a story.
So, grab your metaphorical notebook 😎, here’s your cheat sheet to 23 Gen Z money slangs, decoded and written with relevant examples to make you sound like you invented them. (Lol, do you?)
Gen Z Slangs For Money (And How to Use Them Without Sounding Clueless)
1. Bread
You’ve probably must have heard this one before, but Gen Z revived it like it’s a vintage band tee.
“Bread” is money, plain and simple, think of it as the OG slang that never goes stale. Why bread? Because dough (another classic term for money) bakes into… you guessed it.
It’s all about the grind. Picture someone working a side gig and saying, “I’m baking mad bread this summer,” and suddenly, earning cash feels as cozy as a bakery. Lol.
2. Guap
If “bread” is your daily hustle, “guap” is that sudden windfall. This word screams big money energy. It’s not just a paycheck; it’s the kind of cash that makes you side-eye your bank app.
Use it when someone’s flexing hard: “Did you see Aaliyah’s TikTok? She’s swimming in guap after that collab.”
3. Bag
“Secure the bag” isn’t just slang, it’s a lifestyle. A “bag” is your prize, whether it’s a promotion, a scholarship, or cold cash.
It’s about winning, period. Say you land a freelance gig: “Bag secured! Time to upgrade my setup.” It’s confident, it’s catchy, and it’s everywhere.
4. Bands
No, not the musical kind. “Bands” are stacks of cash held together by rubber bands, and Gen Z uses it to flex physical wealth.
Imagine your friend just sold their sneaker collection: “They made bands overnight.” It’s visual, it’s flashy, and it’ll make you want to start a side hustle. 😎
5. Racks
If “bands” are stacks, “racks” are thousands. This term turns money into a mountain. Your cousin drops $3K on a festival? “They blew racks on VIP tickets.”
It’s the kind of word that makes you whisper, “Goals,” while secretly checking your savings account.
6. Cheddar
Cheesy? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely. Cheddar is money with a wink, it’s playful but still says, “I’m here for business.”
Drop it when you’re balancing work and fun: “Part-time job? Nah, I’m chasing cheddar with my Etsy shop.” Bonus points if you pair it with a grin.
7. Skrilla
Old-school but still cool, “skrilla” has street cred. It’s edgy, it’s retro, and it’s perfect for talking hustle.
Picture someone grinding late nights: “I’m out here collecting skrilla for my beats.” It’s got rhythm, just like the grind it describes.
Read Also: 14 bad internet slangs that parents should caution their children from staying.
8. Stacks
Think of stacks as the cousin of “bands”, it’s all about towering piles of cash. But here’s the kicker: some say a “stack” is $1K.
So when your buddy brags, “I saved three stacks this year,” they’re either flexing savings or planning a very nice vacation.
9. Fetty
Shoutout to rapper Fetty Wap for this one. “Fetty” is pure Gen Z energy, young, bold, and tied to vibes, not just cash.
Use it when money feels personal: “I’m saving my fetty for a road trip.” It’s less about the amount and more about the feeling it gives you.
10. Paper
Simple, clean, and timeless. Paper is money stripped down to basics. No frills, no metaphors, just cash.
Hit your friend with, “I’m chasing paper, not drama,” and suddenly you’re the CEO of your life.
11. Loot
Loot is the money you spend, not save. It’s for concert tickets, sneaker drops, or that overpriced latte.
It’s playful rebellion: “Spent all my loot on thrift finds, no regrets.” Meaning: Adulting can wait.
Read More:
12. Cashola
Add some salsa to “cash” and you get “cashola”, quirky, lighthearted, and perfect for low-stakes moments.
Need $5 for pizza? “Spot me some cashola?” It’s the slang equivalent of a meme.
13. Coin
Think digital hustle. Coin is small, steady cash from gigs like reselling clothes or Uber driving.
It’s empowering: “Made 200 coin dog-walking this week.” Not a fortune, but it’s yours.
14. Drip
“Drip” isn’t just money, it’s money turned into swagger. Those Air Jordans? That vintage jacket? That’s drip.
It’s currency you wear: “Her drip’s wild, she’s got that CEO energy.” More on Drip here.
15. Cream
Wu-Tang Clan said it best: “Cash Rules Everything Around Me.” Cream is money as a mindset.
Use it when you’re hustling for bigger dreams: “Focused on the cream, not the noise.” It’s ambition bottled into a word.
16. Moolah
Grandma’s favorite term is back. Moolah is friendly, retro cash. Planning a group trip?
Let’s save moolah for a beach house. It’s money without the stress.
17. Bank
Making bank is Gen Z’s version of “rolling in it.” It’s blunt, it’s braggy, and it works.
Your sister lands a coding job? “She’s making bank, treating us to sushi tonight.
18. Shmoney
Carefree and catchy, shmoney is money you dance with. It’s the opposite of “budgeting”: “Got my shmoney, let’s hit the club!” It’s joy, bottled.
19. Blue Faces
Benjamins, but make it art. “Blue faces” are $100 bills, named for their hue. It’s specific and cool: “He tipped the DJ in blue faces.” Instant baller status.
20. Pesos
Not just currency, it’s money, period. “This gig pays solid pesos” works whether you’re earning dollars, euros, or Monopoly money. Global kingpin vibes.
21. Green
Classic, clean, and color-coded. “Green” is money in its purest form. Saving up? “Stacking green for my startup.” Timeless, like a crisp bill.
22. Dough
The OG sibling to “bread.” “Dough” is money you knead (get it?). It’s humble and real: “Need more dough before I upgrade my setup.”
23. Cash Flow
Gen Z loves a side hustle, and “cash flow” is their anthem. It’s steady, sustainable income: “My podcast’s finally got cash flow.” Adulting, but make it cool.
Concluding Thoughts
Gen Z’s money slang isn’t just about cash. It’s about freedom, creativity, and rewriting the rules.
Securing the bag isn’t greed, it’s ambition. “Drip” isn’t vanity, it’s self-expression. These terms turn money into a language of possibility.
So, which slang’s your favorite? Drop it in the comments, and go secure that bread (or guap, or bag etc.)
