10 Things Baby Boomers No Longer Do

Baby Boomers, the OGs, the ones who rocked the world with their bell-bottoms, their groovy music, and their relentless pursuit of the American Dream. But, guess what? Even the iconic Baby Boomers have evolved, and some of their once-staple habits are slowly fading away. We’re talking smoking, landlines, cable TV, and so much more. Can you believe it?

Here’s the kicker: According to Fortune, Boomers, who make up about 20% of the U.S. population, control $85 trillion in wealth (yeah, trillion with a T). And while they might not be lighting up a cigarette as often, they’re still shaping society in major ways. But as they age, they’re ditching some habits that defined them. So, let’s look in and see what Baby Boomers are leaving behind in this brave new world.

Smoking Cigarettes

Remember when everyone, literally everyone, used to smoke? Baby Boomers were at the heart of it. But here’s the thing: they’ve kicked the habit in a big way. According to the American Hospital Association, smoking among Boomers has dropped by a staggering 73% since the 1960s. That’s like a personal victory for public health!

I remember my grandmother (bless her heart) lighting up after every meal, like clockwork. But now, she’s the first one to point out how bad smoking is for you, and trust me, she has a whole lot of judgment when she sees someone puffing away. The era of cigarette smoke clouds is over, and we’re all breathing a little easier for it.

Using Landline Phones Exclusively

Ah, the landline. The good ol’ phone that sat on the kitchen counter, tangled up in cords, waiting for someone to call you during dinner. Boomers grew up with these things, but guess what? Landlines are officially in the rearview mirror for a lot of them.

My mom still insists on keeping her landline “just in case.” But when was the last time anyone actually used it? At this point, it’s only good for being a glorified paperweight. Cell phones have taken over, and the Boomers are just now reluctantly admitting it. Progress, right?

Reading Print Newspapers Regularly

Okay, here’s a throwback: remember how newspapers used to be a thing? I mean, there was something magical about getting the morning paper, brewing a cup of coffee, and diving into the latest headlines. Well, Baby Boomers aren’t as hooked on print as they used to be. Only 50% of them still read the paper regularly.

And honestly, I get it. Why wait for the newspaper delivery when news is literally available at the swipe of your finger? My Uncle, who once swore he’d never give up his beloved Sunday crossword puzzle, now spends half his day scrolling through news articles on his tablet. Funny how technology makes us all change, right?

Writing Paper Checks

Oh, the days when writing a check was the pinnacle of “adulting.” Baby Boomers lived and breathed those checks, yet today, they’re becoming a rare species. According to Payments Journal, in 2015, they were still responsible for 10% of all check payments, but by 2024? That number’s dropped to a cool 5%.

I vividly remember my dad pulling out his checkbook for every single bill, always saying, “It’s easier this way.” Fast forward to today, and now he’s the first to suggest using PayPal or Venmo, the very things he used to scoff at. Can we all take a moment to acknowledge that Boomers have finally caught up with the times?

Maintaining Traditional Cable or Satellite TV Subscriptions

Remember when the idea of cutting the cable was practically sacrilegious? Baby Boomers used to swear by cable TV, as if it were the holy grail of entertainment. But times are changing, and guess what? They’re cutting the cord just like the rest of us.

They are finally catching on to streaming. In fact, now they use services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, and they’ve doubled their daily streaming time. Still, there’s something comforting about the good ol’ TV remote. But, hey, even Boomers need a break from their favorite channels sometimes.

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Following Traditional Retirement Patterns (Exiting the Workforce at 65)

Here’s a fun fact: Baby Boomers aged 65 and above are still working. Yep, you read that right. They’re not retiring, they’re staying in the workforce longer than expected, either because they have to (money, anyone?) or because they just don’t want to.

I’ve got a friend whose parents are in their 70s and still working. They laugh about how they can’t imagine stopping, and honestly, it’s a mood. According to Fortune, Boomers control $85 trillion in wealth. So it’s not all about retirement savings; many Boomers find meaning and purpose in their careers well into their golden years. Besides, who says you have to stop at 65?

Relying on Traditional Defined-Benefit Pension Plans

Once upon a time, traditional pensions were the gold standard for Boomers. They were practically guaranteed a steady income in retirement. But pensions are becoming extinct, and Boomers are scrambling to manage their own retirement funds.

Remember that time when my aunt tried to explain her pension plan to me, and I was like, “Do people still have those?” Spoiler alert: they don’t. With the rise of 401(k)s and personal savings, Boomers are adapting, but it’s not without its challenges. Now, it’s all about managing your own future, which isn’t as fun as sitting back and waiting for a check.

No More Travel Agents

Gone are the days when booking a vacation meant sitting down with a travel agent, flipping through brochures, and trusting them to handle all the details. Baby Boomers, once the biggest supporters of travel agencies, have now embraced the DIY travel revolution. With platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb, they plan their trips from the comfort of their homes, comparing flight options, reading hotel reviews, and choosing unique experiences without the need for middlemen.

If it’s managing payments through secure websites or easily communicating with hosts via apps, Boomers have realized they don’t need to sit in a travel agent’s office to get the vacation of their dreams. They’re empowered, tech-savvy, and more independent than ever when it comes to travel planning.

From Paper Maps to GPS

Baby Boomers grew up relying on physical maps and atlases as their trusted companions during road trips. I remember my dad pulling out that massive road atlas for every vacation, and half the fun was tracing the route with your finger as you went along. It was like a rite of passage, and honestly, who didn’t love the challenge of trying to figure out the best route without getting lost? Sure, there was always that moment of panic when you hit a dead end, but hey, it was part of the adventure, right?

Fast forward to today, and GPS and map apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps have completely revolutionized how Boomers navigate. Now, with just a smartphone in hand, real-time directions are at their fingertips, complete with turn-by-turn guidance and traffic updates. Turns out, technology isn’t just for younger generations; it’s making life a whole lot easier for Boomers too!

Shopping Primarily in Physical Retail Stores and Malls

Malls are dying, folks. Baby Boomers, who practically lived in malls during their younger years, are now part of the wave of online shoppers. Now, Boomers shop online at least once a month, and many are giving up malls for the convenience of shopping from home.

My aunt used to drag me to every mall in the city, always shopping for “just one more thing.” But now, she buys everything online. Malls are becoming less of a social gathering place and more of a place for nostalgia, like an old friend who doesn’t really fit into your life anymore.

Key Takeaways

Baby Boomers are evolving, and it’s clear that the habits that once defined them are giving way to the conveniences and technologies of the 21st century. Smoking? Down the drain. Landlines? Out the door. And let’s not forget those cable subscriptions, we all knew this day would come. These shifts aren’t just about Boomers adapting to the times, though; they’re about embracing change, even when it feels uncomfortable.

While they have certainly left some old habits behind, it’s important to acknowledge the bigger picture. Many of these changes, such as moving away from paper checks or dropping cable subscriptions, show that Boomers are finally embracing technology and becoming more efficient. Whether it’s shopping online or ditching the landline, they’re adapting, even if it takes a little longer.

At the end of the day, we all know that Boomers are still a force to be reckoned with. Their influence on the economy, their wealth, and their ongoing impact on society are undeniable. And while they may not be doing everything they used to, one thing’s for sure: they are still shaping the future, just with fewer landlines and a lot more Netflix.

Disclosure line: This article was written with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.

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