14 Things Boomers Still Pay For That Millennials Never Would

Boomers still drop cash on stuff millennials wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.

Sophia Zapanta
May 16, 2025
4 min read

14 Things Boomers Still Pay For That Millennials Never Would — Ron Lach on Pexels

Boomers and millennials live on two different planets when it comes to spending. While boomers stick to old-school comforts, millennials hunt for value, speed, and minimalism. Here are 14 things boomers still pay for that millennials see as unnecessary clutter.

1. Cable TV

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Boomers still pay for cable like it’s a sacred tradition. They flip through 800 channels and only watch five, but they swear it’s worth every penny. Millennials? They’re busy binge-watching everything online, ad-free, and for a fraction of the cost. To them, cable feels like buying a CD in the age of Spotify.

2. Paper Checks

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Boomers still write checks like it’s a delicate art form. They balance their checkbooks with the focus of a monk, proud of every handwritten decimal. Millennials just Venmo you before you even ask. A paper check to them looks like a prop from a museum.

3. Landline Phones

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For boomers, a landline is still the heartbeat of the house. They feel safer knowing it’s plugged into the wall and doesn’t rely on a battery. Millennials haven’t touched a landline since they used it to call their crush in 2006. To them, it’s a phone with a leash.

4. Print Newspapers

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Boomers still love the rustle of a real newspaper with their morning coffee. They say it feels more official and trustworthy. Millennials scroll through headlines in bed before they even brush their teeth. Newsprint leaves ink on your fingers; their screen just leaves battery anxiety.

5. Department Store Credit Cards

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Boomers proudly whip out their store-specific cards for that sweet 5% off. They see loyalty in plastic form. Millennials delete the store’s app as soon as they get the promo code. One card for each store? That’s too much wallet drama.

6. Home Phone Voicemail

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Boomers still listen to voicemails like they’re decoding ancient messages. They jot down every word with a pen nearby. Millennials panic when they see the voicemail icon and immediately text, “What’s up?” It’s not that they’re lazy — they just don’t want to hear you say, “Call me back.”

7. Travel Agents

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Boomers love the idea of a friendly human booking every detail of their trip. They enjoy the handshake, the folder, and the printed itinerary. Millennials have already booked flights, hotels, and excursions from a hammock. To them, using a travel agent feels like buying a map instead of using GPS.

8. Fine China Sets

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Boomers have cabinets full of fancy plates they only use once a year. They treat it like treasure passed down from royalty. Millennials are eating sushi off bamboo trays and using mugs they bought at a thrift shop ironically. They don’t want dishes that come with rules.

9. Magazines by Subscription

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Boomers love flipping through glossy magazines, bookmarking recipes, and dog-earing pages. It’s part ritual, part nostalgia. Millennials read headlines for free and click away at the first pop-up ad. Paying monthly for paper feels like sponsoring a forest fire.

10. Knickknacks and Collectibles

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Boomers decorate like curators, each shelf a memory lane of trinkets. They collect “just in case” items like porcelain cats and commemorative spoons. Millennials are allergic to clutter and live by the gospel of “if it doesn’t spark joy, it goes.” If something doesn’t serve a purpose, it’s out the door.

11. CDs and DVDs

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Boomers still own entire towers of physical media like proud librarians. They believe in having a backup you can hold. Millennials stream everything and store it in the cloud — or not at all. Owning media feels heavy in every sense.

12. Extended Warranties

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Boomers happily buy extra protection on everything, from blenders to laptops. They sleep better knowing they’re covered, just in case. Millennials roll the dice and figure if it breaks, it breaks. To them, warranties are just the slow drip of regret.

13. Cash in Envelopes

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Boomers stash bills in labeled envelopes, a budgeting method that feels like origami. They trust the feel of cash more than apps. Millennials use budgeting tools that round up purchases and track every cent with a swipe. Carrying cash feels like carrying rocks.

14. Encyclopedias

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Boomers proudly display encyclopedias like a symbol of status and smarts. They once held answers to everything, all alphabetized. Millennials Google it in 0.3 seconds and move on. Encyclopedias now live on the same shelf as VHS tapes — gathering dust.