New research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Laurel Road reveals how Gen Z and millennials are handling their money during the pandemic (Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash).Seven in 10 (70%) millennials and Gen Zers said COVID-19, specifically, made them realize they needed to reset and reevaluate how they handle their money, according to new research.The study asked 1,000 Gen Z Americans and 1,000 American millennials about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 as a whole on their personal finances.Over half (52%) of respondents said they wish they did a better job handling their money during the pandemic.In a show of generational difference, millennials were more likely than their Gen Z counterparts to feel like they handled their money poorly, at 59% compared to 46%.Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Laurel Road, a digital lending platform, respondents reflected on the pandemic and noted the top reasons for a financial reset included new personal goals (33%), changes to their personal life (32%), and new financial goals (30%).Although nearly seven in 10 respondents shared they’ve effectively budgeted their money as best they could, given the circumstances of 2020 and quarantine, in particular, 60% also said they wish they could improve their budgeting skills, they just don’t know where to begin.Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they made more of an effort to save more money when they could, with 33% creating a budget and 25% even speaking to a financial adviser about their situations.A further 20% of those polled shared they refinanced their student loans, and 19% consolidated their student loans.And for those polled with student loans (approximately 1,500 respondents), 62% said the federal student loan forbearance has made an impact on their ability to save money during the pandemic.These quick adaptations during this uncertain time seemed to have paid…