Progress is great — unless you’re a Boomer. While the rest of the world is streaming, tapping, scrolling, and cashless-paying their way through life, many Baby Boomers are out here keeping landlines, photo albums, and wall calendars alive like it’s still 1987.
Here are eight things that boomers are still spending their money on that no one else does.
Landline Phones
Most people ditched landlines ages ago, but Boomers keep them alive — partly out of nostalgia, partly due to fears of being surveilled, and definitely, because they’re convinced smartphones will fail “in an emergency.” According to a survey, 57% of Boomers still have landlines at home, and 40% of them say they’ll never give them up.
Cable TV
You have to give this one to Boomers — they’re cable TV’s last hope. While you stream everything from cooking shows to blockbusters on Hulu or Disney+, Boomers are still paying over $100 for cable bundles — because “Jeopardy!” Netflix is probably a cheaper and more cost-effective option, but then again… “Wheel of Fortune.”
CDs & DVDs
CDs and DVDs are relics of the past — unless you’re a Boomer. According to YouGov, 58% of Boomers still buy CDs, while 41% buy DVDs. Keep your Spotify-curated playlists, millennial. We’ll catch up when CDs rise in value like vinyl did.
Larger Cars
Boomers aren’t losing sleep over fuel efficiency or carbon footprints — they’re all about roomy sedans and SUVs. They might be visibly more expensive and less cost-effective, but when it comes to Boomers, comfort and space win every time.
Print Newspapers and Magazines
Print media might be a fading industry, but Boomers are keeping it on life support — 37% of adults 65+ still buy print newspapers. Digital news is free and instant — you’re probably reading this on your phone — but Boomers are creatures of habit. Flipping through a physical paper with their morning coffee is non-negotiable. Bonus points if they call it “the rag.”
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Photo Albums
While everyone else is scrolling through endless digital photo galleries, Boomers are flipping through actual photo albums. And honestly, it’s kind of sweet. My Boomer dad still takes the time to develop every single photo of my son I send him — daily.
Greeting Cards
Who would even buy those ‘Now you’re a man, Mazel Tov’ cards if it weren’t for Boomers? They’re probably the last demographic still buying greeting cards, while Gen Z is out here sending a meme or a text with 78 emojis instead.
Wall Calendars
You’ve got digital calendars on everything but your washing machine, but can you hang them on the wall and jot down ‘Susie’s Retirement Party’ in the corner? No? Well, that’s why Boomers are still snapping up those wildlife-themed wall calendars like they’re going out of style — because, well, they kind of are.
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