Get what you need, not what you want - You Only Live Once (YOLO) and You Only Need One (YONO) are two new popular acronyms that emerged at the beginning of 2025. YOLO and YONO themselves are critical mindsets in response to the influence of lifestyle, especially the culture of financial awareness in these times filled with inflation and economic instability.

These two mindsets originated from several South Korean youths, one of whom is 27-year-old Choi Ye-Bin. By regularly tracking all types of expenses ranging from electricity, water, and daily necessities, Choi Ye-Bin began to think about how to prioritize his spending while also considering the long-term impact of economic changes.

YOLO is a mindset that emphasizes enjoying life now without fear of taking risks, while YONO is a mindset that focuses on planning and caution, especially in financial matters.

The YOLO approach can enhance life satisfaction. A study from the Journal of Positive Psychology shows that people who engage in new and challenging activities tend to report higher levels of happiness. Additionally, the majority of people agree with the opinion that "experience is the best teacher."

However, as one ages with more responsibilities to shoulder, one needs to distinguish between needs and wants and plan long-term finances. Those with Impulsive Buying Habits tend to buy many things that are not primary priorities or have long-term value. Additionally, part of the blame lies with social media trends that invite young people to buy many items due to aesthetic factors and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

On the other hand, different from the YOLO mindset, YONO emphasizes efficiency and saving for needs rather than wants through minimalism and self-control. This mindset encourages individuals to control themselves and make decisions based on long-term considerations. Essentially, the YONO mindset emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in transactions.

By understanding the YONO concept, one can wisely:

• Prioritize Needs: Consider what is truly needed versus what is merely a fleeting want.

• Make Long-Term Plans: Set long-term goals and create plans to achieve them. This will help avoid impulsive decisions.

• Evaluate Decisions: Review decisions to learn from experiences and improve future strategies.

While "self-reward" is a form of appreciation for personal achievements (whether for workers or students), long-term planning to face economic uncertainties should be the top priority.

As students transition to higher stages of life, it is appropriate to better select impulsivity. Through the YONO mindset, not only can students train themselves to control impulsive buying, but YONO also teaches focus for long-term financial freedom.

Recognizing the importance of financial literacy, especially for students, Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) supports financial literacy education through various self-development and financial management activities. UNDIRA motivates visionary students to develop wisdom focused on real needs, not just desires.