In 2023, baby boomers had average annual household expenditures of $70,000. This was slightly below the national average for all households, which stood at $77,280, as per data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While spending patterns differ across generations, certain obsolete expenses remain stubbornly attached to baby boomers like Velcro. Digital alternatives and cost-saving options have won over younger generations, but baby boomers continue to purchase items that now feel like relics of a bygone era.
Let’s take a fun and insightful look at these old-school expenses, shine a light on why they persist, and why everyone else is moving away from them.
Cable TV
Boomers still love their cable packages, complete with hundreds of channels (most of which go unwatched). Millennials and Gen Zs have been cutting the cord in droves to embrace low-cost streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu.
As of 2022, Statista reported that 40% of baby boomers reported using cable TV daily. The average monthly cost of cable reaches $217, which makes it an expensive luxury, as noted by U.S. News.
Streaming services deliver comparable programming for much less money while providing viewers the ability to watch whenever they choose. Many boomers hesitate to transition despite the advantages because they view cable as reliable and familiar.
Home Phones
Landlines—something boomers know all about! As per Statista, 28% of U.S. households still have a landline service, even though cell phones have become the default for nearly everyone else. Homeowners typically face monthly landline expenses that reach $40 or higher, while mobile service providers usually offer unlimited calls and texts for a lower price.
Millennials and younger users value mobile devices for their mobility and time-saving features, yet boomers often keep landlines, believing they’re more dependable or in case of emergencies. Having a landline bill seems superfluous for most people who now depend on smartphones.
Print Newspapers and Magazines
Boomers prefer the physical experience of turning pages in morning newspapers and magazines over any digital alternative. The majority of Gen Z and Millennial users now consume their content through digital platforms.
As of 2025, 62% of American adults continue to read physical newspapers. In fact, 10.3% read them every day, and 21.8% read them once or twice weekly.
The annual cost of print newspaper subscriptions ranges from $200 to $400, whereas digital news platforms offer similar content for significantly less money or at no cost. Many boomers remain faithful to printed materials due to their nostalgic feelings and established habits.
Excessive Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are an essential social custom for baby boomers. Many people consider physical cards essential for birthdays, holidays, and thank-you notes. Americans buy 6.5 billion greeting cards every year, and each person sends roughly seven cards during that period.
The Baby Boomer generation continues to be the biggest source of support for this tradition. Electronic greeting cards and text message greetings have become the preferred methods of expressing sentiment among younger generations. You receive the message faster and avoid paying $5–$10 for each card.
Overpaying for Insurance
Boomers are often loyal to long-established insurance providers, even though this choice results in higher premium costs. The new generation of buyers utilizes apps and comparison websites such as Policygenius to secure more competitive rates.
Policyholders who switch their auto insurance policy stand to save an average of $750 each year. Many boomers hesitate to change insurance providers because they believe their current providers are trustworthy and switching would be too inconvenient.
Expensive Travel Packages
Boomers spend generously on travel, yet continue to opt for expensive traditional travel packages from agencies. Baby Boomers top travel spending charts while taking about 27 vacation days annually.
When planning vacations, boomers often choose luxury and all-inclusive retreats to ensure both comfort and convenience. Younger generations now focus on cost-efficient, self-planned travel experiences by leveraging flight comparison websites and Airbnb, as well as apps like Hopper. Baby Boomers value the convenience of guided tours more than saving money during their travels.
Collectibles
Market Decipher’s report shows that the collectibles market size is valued at $496.2 billion. Baby Boomers have built a strong collecting legacy through their passion for items such as fine china and commemorative coins. The younger generation no longer purchases collectible items.
Millennials’ preference for minimalism and compact living spaces leads to a decreased demand for collectible items. Appraisers have also observed that collections once valued in thousands now fetch prices only in pennies on the dollar. Boomers consistently place a higher importance on sentimental value than on resale value.
Premium Cable Bundles for Sports
Major sports leagues offer online game streaming, yet many baby boomers continue to maintain their subscriptions to sports-specific cable packages. Sports cable packages for boomers typically exceed monthly costs of $30 to $50.
Streaming services such as ESPN+ and MLB.TV provides customized viewing options at budget-friendly rates between $10 and $20. Younger audiences transition to these platforms, but Baby Boomers continue to keep their cable subscriptions due to dependable service and access to live programming.
Department Store Shopping
Macy’s and JCPenney continue to attract boomer shoppers, whereas younger customers prefer online retailers such as Amazon and Shein. Capital One Shopping reports that e-commerce sales make up 18.6% of total retail transactions, with a yearly growth rate of 3.43%, as younger consumers lead the adoption.
Although department stores provide quality products to customers, they typically charge higher prices. Baby Boomers maintain their support for physical stores because they appreciate browsing products in person and interacting with sales staff.
Gym Memberships
Traditional gym memberships appeal to boomers, but they usually cost more than $50 each month. Gen Z and millennials, on the other hand, are flocking to budget-friendly options like Planet Fitness or leveraging free workout content on YouTube.
The U.S. sees about 18% of gym memberships remain inactive, which results in a yearly financial waste of $1.3 billion, according to Mirrors Delivered. Traditional gym memberships represent another unnecessary expense for younger generations, who are increasingly tech-savvy.
High-End Coffee Shops
Starbucks enthusiasts tend to be baby boomers who typically spend between $4 and $6 for each cup of coffee. Younger coffee lovers today have begun creating high-quality brews at home, which costs them significantly less.
Millennials have shifted to home-brewing because of devices like the AeroPress and Chemex. They enjoy the process almost as much as drinking the coffee itself.
Cable Landline-Bundle Deals
Boomers love a good bundle. Purchasing a bundled service package that includes internet, TV, and landline appears economical, but eventually costs more than buying each service separately.
Younger consumers rely on Wi-Fi and streaming services to meet their needs. They utilize financial management tools like Mint or Truebill to eliminate unnecessary subscription fees.
Paper Bills
Despite service providers offering free online billing and auto-pay options, most boomers continue to pay for paper billing. Paper bills help them maintain organizational control.
A fee of $1–$3 per bill can accumulate to more than $36 in a year for people who handle multiple accounts. Digital natives have generally embraced paperless billing as their standard payment method. Paperless billing methods are both environmentally superior and easier to manage.
Disposable Cameras
Decades ago, disposable cameras gained popularity but have since become outdated relics that many baby boomers continue to buy for special occasions such as vacations and family gatherings. The total cost increases because each film development session costs between $12 and $20 per roll.
Meanwhile, smartphones offer built-in high-quality cameras. Users can enjoy film-like effects on their smartphone images using apps like VSCO without incurring any additional charges.
Physical Checkbooks and Bank Fees
Many boomers still use physical checkbooks and regularly visit their bank branches, resulting in fees and inefficiencies that younger generations typically avoid. The processing time for paper checks is longer, and they incur a reordering expense of between $20 and $30 per box.
Younger users prefer mobile banking platforms along with payment services such as Zelle and automatic transactions through Venmo and PayPal. Tech-savvy customers find an advantage in many online banks because they offer checking accounts without fees and minimum balance requirements.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Boomers Love Familiar Comforts, Even If They Cost More. Many boomers maintain their traditional preferences, like cable TV services and department store purchases, even though these choices lead to higher costs. These choices are rooted in routine, loyalty, and the good old-fashioned “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset.
- Digital Alternatives Are Cheaper—And Often Better. Online shopping, mobile banking, and streaming services aren’t just trends—they’re smarter financial moves. Younger generations are saving serious money by avoiding costly bundled services and opting for digital-first options.
- Nostalgia Keeps Print (and Paper Bills) Alive. Paper newspapers and greeting cards, along with checkbooks, have sentimental worth among the boomer generation. But for everyone else, convenience and eco-consciousness have pushed these items into retirement.
- Boomers May Be Overpaying Out of Habit, Not Necessity. Boomers show loyalty to established insurance companies and gym memberships because they trust the established services. Performing subscription audits, along with comparison shopping, can help save hundreds of dollars each year.
- Collectibles and Disposable Cameras? Millennials Say, “Pass”. While boomers hold onto sentimental trinkets and analog photography, younger folks are embracing minimalist living and digital documentation—no clutter, no film processing fees.
Disclaimer – The Finance Key does not provide and does not intend to provide financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Information contained in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. Including links to third-party content is not an endorsement by The Finance Key of such content or services. Please do your due diligence and use your discretion.
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