Photographer / US Trends, English Edition Editor
Marcus Bennett
From Los Angeles, based in Tokyo · Tokyo Decoded editorial team
Originally from Los Angeles. Marcus tracks the vocabulary of money that emerges on US social platforms — loud budgeting, soft saving, no-buy — before it lands in Japan. He also handles the site's visuals and edits the English edition so both languages make the same argument.
- TikTok money trends
- Gen Z consumer culture
- Deinfluencing
- English edition & visuals
Articles by Marcus Bennett · 6
No-Buy 2026 Mid-Year Reset: Rebuild Your Challenge with Systems, Not Willpower
Failed your No-Buy year? July is the reset point. 44% of Americans are trying it—here's how to rebuild.
Read more →Money Dysmorphia: Why 43% of Gen Z Feel Broke Even When They Aren't
Enough savings, endless anxiety. Inside the SNS-fueled distortion of how we see our own money—and how to reset.
Read more →Soft Saving: Why 73% of Gen Z Prioritize Today Over Retirement
73% of US Gen Z say today's quality of life beats retirement savings, per Intuit. Meet Soft Saving—frugality that doesn't sacrifice you—seen through Japan's saving traditions.
Read more →Loud Budgeting: The US Trend Changing How We Talk About Money
Loud Budgeting has topped 140M views on TikTok. The new flex is saying 'I'm saving' out loud. Here's the data behind it—and how to practice it from Japan.
Read more →Deinfluencing: When TikTok Creators Became Famous for Telling You What Not to Buy
Influencers' job was always to make you buy things. Now the viral format is 'don't buy this.' TikTok's #deinfluencing crossed 500M views. Here's what it means for how we consume — and for the creator economy.
Read more →Soft Life: The Nigerian-Born Trend That Made Rest and Comfort the New Status Symbol
TikTok's #softlife has crossed 300M views. The Nigerian-born concept — choosing comfort and ease over relentless hustle — is reshaping how Gen Z and millennials think about success. Japan's working culture reform is the perfect backdrop.
Read more →