Recession or Just Vibes? Why Coachella's Still Packed on Payments
Recession or Just Vibes? Why Coachella’s Still Packed on Payments
If vibes were currency, we’d all be rich. But since they’re not, we’ve got payment plans — and Gen Z and millennials are swiping, splitting, and scheduling their way to the party like their lives depend on it.
Concert ticket prices are soaring — we’re talking higher than SZA’s whistle notes — but the demand for live music hasn’t slowed. Instead, fans are getting savvy. Coachella, one of the world’s biggest festivals, recently revealed that more than half of their General Admission attendees used a payment plan to secure their spot in the desert. Yes, people are literally financing their fun.
It’s giving… recession, but make it vibes.
Let’s not ignore the obvious: everything is expensive. Eggs? Wild. Rent? Disrespectful. A date night? Practically a luxury. Economists might hesitate to officially say we’re in a recession, but the signs are flashing like a Vegas strip light — slower spending, layoffs, ballooning credit card debt, and entire budgets based on “girl math” to justify Beyoncé tickets. And yet, here we are, still showing up and showing out.
Maybe it’s delusion. Maybe it’s resilience. Maybe it’s a little of both.
But here’s the truth: people aren’t just throwing money around for fun. They’re investing in experiences — in joy, in connection, in core memories. After years of lockdowns, social distance, and uncertainty, the need to feel alive again is real. So if Klarna, Afterpay, or a five-month installment plan helps make those moments happen, who’s really judging?
This isn’t financial irresponsibility — it’s a shift in priorities. People might skip delivery for a week or hold off on buying that new couch, but that concert ticket? That’s the must-have.
And let’s be honest: even if the economy is on shaky ground, don’t be surprised if your “broke” bestie is at Coachella this weekend, iced coffee in hand, dancing under the Ferris wheel with a wristband they won’t finish paying off until September.
Because when it comes to joy during hard times, the people have spoken: payment plan it, and go.
3 Ways to Be a Baddie on a Budget (And Still Live Your Best Life)
1. Host the Vibe at Home
Who needs $18 cocktails and overpriced parking? Throw your own themed night with friends — think movie marathons, karaoke battles, or even a backyard “festival” with a speaker, snacks, and a thrifted disco ball.
2. Become a Deal Detective
Your city has hidden gems — you just need to look. Free museum days, community yoga, local markets, and outdoor concerts are waiting to be discovered. Eventbrite, Meetup, and even TikTok events are your go-to guides.
3. Romanticize the Little Things
A $5 latte becomes luxury when you sip it on a solo walk in your best outfit. Journaling in a cute notebook? Self-care. Making the everyday feel special is how you fight off the broke blues — no credit check required.
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Recession or Just Vibes? Why Coachella’s Still Packed on Payments was originally published on themorninghustle.com
