Boomers have a reputation for pinching pennies as if their lives depend on them. They love to remind you when they bought a house for the price of a sandwich and walked 10 miles to school both ways. From $7 oat milk lattes to subscriptions for almost everything, below are 16 things Boomers won’t spend a single penny on—no matter how many times you try to convince them.
Fancy Coffee – “What’s Wrong with Instant?”
Boomers don’t understand why anyone would drop £5 on a Starbucks latte when perfectly acceptable instant coffee in a cupboard at home will suffice. They will just sip their homebrewed, slightly burnt coffee with pride, convinced that baristas are just con artists in aprons.
Bottled Water – “There’s a Tap at Home”
Pay for water? Absolutely not. Boomers believe tap water is just as good (if not better). Because who in their right mind will pay for something that literally comes out of the tap for free? And then they will judge anyone carrying a bottle of “fancy” water as they’ve personally offended the family name.
Streaming Services – “Cable Was Good Enough!”
Netflix? Spotify? Why pay for Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ when reruns of NCIS and MASH* are free on cable? Why rent music when you can buy a CDs? The idea of juggling literally five different streaming platforms just to watch a few shows? Too much effort.
Avocado Toast – “Just Buy a House Instead!”
Boomers mock millennials for spending money on avocado toast and not investing that in a down payment for a house. Boomers, meanwhile, bought a house when a down payment could have been made for a price tag for a used car. The irony? They still refuse to try avocado toast because it looks weird.
Gym Memberships – “Just Go for a Walk”
Boomers can’t comprehend why an individual will pay to lift weights in a sweaty room when “a good brisk walk” is free. Boomers’ workout routine is mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or angrily pacing the house while grumbling about kids these days.
New Cars – “It Still Runs, Doesn’t It?”
Boomers drive the same car for decades, assuming a new car is a scam. As long as it mostly starts and the duct tape holds the bumper together, it’s perfectly fine.
Expensive Skincare – “Soap and Water Worked Just Fine!”
Boomers used one product for everything. They don’t comprehend why the new generation has a 15-step skincare routine with moisturizers, toners, and serums that can pay for a mortgage payment in price tag. Meanwhile, they’re using Vaseline and still look younger than us.
Delivery Fees – “You Paid HOW MUCH for Someone to Bring It to You?!”
Boomers will drive 30 minutes to pick up a $5 pizza just to avoid the $3 delivery fee. Meanwhile, Millennials are out here happily paying a 30% markup to have Taco Bell show up at their doorstep.
Therapy – “Just Talk to Your Friends”
“Back in my day, we didn’t need therapy. We just dealt with it!” Boomers grumble about shelling out money to “talk about problems” when one can have perfectly lovely bartenders, hairdressers, and concerned neighbors who will lend an ear for nothing.
Subscription Boxes – “What On Earth Are These?”
Meal kits? Mystery boxes? Monthly curated lifestyle products? Boomers hear “subscription” and immediately think of scams. Why would they pay for something every month when they could just buy it once and be done with it?
New Phones – “This One Still Works”
Whereas youth change their phone every two years, Boomers will use theirs until it actually falls apart. If it works for calls and (perhaps) texts, then why update?
The Tattoos – “You’ll Regret That One Day”
Boomers perceive tattoos as mistakes that cannot ever be undone, not an expression of oneself. What kind of idiot pays for tattoos when one can simply buy a nice t-shirt? And then they will happily remind you that “those things never come off.”
Takeout – “There’s Food at Home”
Boomers have never understood takeout. Paying for someone else to cook the food they could make themselves? Nonsense! Even if it takes an hour, burns a little, and is missing half the seasoning, they’ll insist it’s just as good as a restaurant meal.
Designer Clothes – “What’s Wrong With a Good Pair of Slacks?”
Boomers are offended by the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for ripped jeans or a logo on a hoodie. They love a good clearance rack and prefer long-lasting, durable shoes. They simply do not understand why you’d spend more on clothes that are already falling apart.
Concert Tickets – “How Much for Earbleed Seats?!”
Boomers remember when you could literally see The Rolling Stones for $10. Now, concert tickets cost more than a used car, and they’re not having it. The idea of dropping hundreds just to stand in a crowd and barely see the stage? Hard pass.
Extended Warranties – “It’s a Ripoff”
Boomers have never fallen for the “Would you like to buy an extended warranty?” ploy. They know it’s a cash grab and will proudly walk out of the store, ready to fix the product themselves when and if it ever malfunctions (Spoiler: It won’t break).
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