It’s a new year—and with it comes new financial trends, cultural shifts, and economic uncertainty. In this episode of Millennial Money Matters, Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella kick off the year by breaking down what 2026 could look like for millennials, from housing and investing to spending habits and lifestyle changes .

This episode blends economic analysis with millennial culture, exploring why nostalgia is back, why stability is becoming more valuable than hustle culture, and how chaos in the world is shaping financial behavior.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why nostalgia and “comfort trends” are making a comeback

• The return of early-2000s culture and what it says about today’s economy

• Housing market realities: inventory shortages, rates, and buyer expectations

• Why a housing crash is unlikely despite online predictions

• Government policy changes and how they affect mortgage rates

• Why lower rates could actually push home prices higher

• The divide between the top 20% and bottom 80% of the economy

• Inflation fatigue, rising everyday costs, and the search for stability

• Why millennials are shifting away from risky financial hacks

• How to think about savings, investing, and diversification in uncertain times

Rather than chasing predictions or panic headlines, this episode focuses on how millennials can adapt, plan, and make smarter financial decisions in a rapidly changing world.

Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.