9 Thrifty Things Boomers Did That Millennials Get Wrong Today

It doesn’t take a Gallup poll to see that the spending habits of millennials are different than those of their grandparents. In fact, studies show that millennials are bigger spenders than the generations before them. My mother and father were raised in modest circumstances and knew how to economize. Here are 9 thrifty things Boomers did that millennials get wrong today.

1. Waste Not, Want Not

Before recycling bins were mandated, Boomers practiced repurposing. My mother was a genius at extracting Christmas and birthday gifts from their wrapping paper. Boxes were folded and stored. My dad wasn’t pleased when grocery stores started using plastic bags. Brown grocery sacks served many purposes around our house and garden. When it came to saving, my Boomer parents knew that there were no gains without pain.

2. Buy One, Get One Free

Never underestimate the power of coupons! We were a coupon family. My Boomer parents got many things from coupons, including a Morris the Cat shirt and calendar. In fact, my wedding dishes were purchased from our local grocery store as part of a supermarket customer loyalty incentive. My parents and so many other Boomers knew that savings add up to big ones in the long run!

3. Drive the Future

My Boomer father wouldn’t even consider borrowing money to buy a car. Instead, he hitchhiked. He also worked two side jobs in the evenings and on weekends. Soon, his hard work paid off. His first car was a beautiful burgundy Mercury Cougar. As Dad climbed the corporate ladder, he got a company car. He didn’t buy another car until I went to college. Boomers knew that making sacrifices in the present made for a more optimistic future.

4. Wait for Your Dream Home

My parents didn’t buy their dream home until they were in their forties. They spent the early parts of their marriage renting and living in smaller homes until they saved up enough money to buy a six-acre farm. It was a sacrifice they were willing to make. Rather than buying an expensive home right off the bat, Boomers knew all good things in life are worth waiting for.

5. Live Off the Land

Every spring, my Boomer parents planted a huge garden. Our chickens produced so many fresh eggs that Dad frequently gave them away at work. My Boomer parents fought weather, bugs, and midnight raiders. They were proud of their ability to fill their pantry, the root cellar, and their two freezers with the gifts of their land. Gardening may be strenuous and not for everyone, but Boomers knew how to live off the land!

6. Eat In

When I was growing up, we ate most of our meals at home. Spaghetti was served twice weekly. A lot of the time, we ate leftovers. Leaving food on my plate was a no-no. As I got older, my father grew to love McDonalds and took me there for lunch. By and large, we prepared meals at home. My parents also believed in making my school lunch. While eating out is okay now and then, it can add up quickly. Boomers knew that eating in was more cost-effective than eating out.

7. Less is More

As a child, I remember having one special birthday party. It was relatively simple, with a homemade cake and a few presents. Christmas gifts were also practical. We wore our clothes until they practically fell apart at the seams. While keeping up with the Joneses is especially tempting in such a social media-heavy culture, it’s important to stay within your budget. Boomers knew that the adage “Less is more” always rings true!

8.  Do it Yourself

My father grew up with basic knowledge of many things, one of which was car repair. His best friend’s father owned a junkyard in which Dad and his friend fixed up old jalopies. Whenever we had car problems, my dad tackled it first before calling any autobody shop. Meanwhile, my mom made our clothes and provided free entertainment for us. She loved playing games, taking walks, and going swimming at the community lake. Boomers knew that doing things yourself was not only more fulfilling but cheaper!

9. Avoiding Impulse Buys

Impulse purchases may be fun, and it’s okay to indulge in a little spur-of-the-moment shopping now and then. However, impulse buys can hurt your bank account in the end. This is something Boomers understood perfectly, including my parents. Whenever they went shopping, they bought things on an “as needed”, not “as wanted” basis. Boomers understood that they had a budget and stuck to it!

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Boomers set the bar high. They lived tougher lives than their children and grandchildren, and they lived those lives well. Considering that millennials have racked up over one trillion dollars in debt, they could certainly learn from Boomers and their thrifty ways!

If you’re looking for even more great articles like this one, then check out these before you go:

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