Baby boomers grew up in a different era, but many of their life hacks are still brilliant today. From money-saving tricks to earth-friendly practices, our parents and grandparents pioneered lots of savvy life skills that millennials and Gen Z would be wise to adopt.
Boomers lived through economic swings and technological shifts, developing a resourceful, waste-not mentality along the way. Their old-school tendencies may seem crunchy or eccentric, but young people can simplify their lives by channeling a bit of boomer energy.
Below, I discuss 17 boomer habits that millennials and Gen Z can use to save money, reduce hassles, and live more sustainably.
1. Meal Prepping and Cooking in Bulk
Boomers know the value of advance meal prep. Cooking large batches of staples like rice, pasta, or roasted veggies saves time and money. Portion into containers for easy reheating throughout the week. Minimize waste by transforming leftovers into new meals.
2. Repairing Instead of Replacing
Before tossing and rebuying, boomers look for ways to mend belongings. Patching clothes, gluing ceramics, or resurfacing scuffed furniture extends their lifespan. YouTube tutorials teach basic repair skills for everything from bikes to gadgets.
3. Keeping a Modest Pandemic Pantry
Boomers embrace maintaining a small stockpile of non-perishables in case of emergencies. Canned and dried goods guard against supply disruptions while eliminating last-minute grocery runs. Rotate items to keep supplies fresh.
4. Growing Food from Scraps
Regrowing veggies from odds and ends reduces waste. Plant the root ends of onions, celery, or romaine lettuce in soil. Start an endless supply of scallions by rooting their stumps in water. Boomers love this free source of produce that continues giving with just occasional watering and sunlight.
5. Repurposing Household Items
Get more mileage from everyday things by reinventing their uses. Boomers might turn glass jars into trendy drink containers or vases. An old pillowcase becomes a makeshift grocery tote. Get creative – nearly anything can sub in for specialty products with some imagination.
6. Following a Cash-Only Budgeting System
To avoid overspending, boomers favor the old envelope trick – withdrawing cash for set budgets like gas or dining out. Once that cash is gone for the month, that’s it until next payday. This old-school approach prevents mindless swiping and forces conscious spending decisions.
7. Harvesting Food from the Wild
More than hiking, boomers embrace ethical foraging – carefully picking wild berries, mushrooms, herbs, or other uncultivated edibles in their natural habitats for fresh, cost-free food. But get proper training first on responsible harvesting and plant identification to avoid poisonous stuff!
8. Checking Unit Prices for Better Deals
Boomers read per-unit pricing labels to compare sizes and prices for the best value. Bigger isn’t always cheapest – sometimes two smaller packages beats one family-size. Unit pricing allows quick math on which option yields the most product for your money.
9. Mending Instead of Buying New Clothes
Why splurge on replacements when you can repair what you own? Boomers patch holes, sew loose buttons, and even update dated pieces instead of discarding still-wearable items. A little visible mending adds character while extending a garment’s life cycle.
10. Composting Food and Yard Waste
Boomers reduce trash by composting biodegradable scraps and leaves, creating free nutrient-rich soil for gardening. Even apartment-dwellers can compost with small indoor bins. The compost boosts soil quality while minimizing household waste sent to landfills.
11. Line Drying Laundry
Boomers know dryers are energy hogs. Air drying clothes outside or on racks indoors not only saves money but extends clothing’s lifetime by preventing shrinking and fading. You’ll save on utility bills while reducing your carbon footprint.
12. Stretching Ingredients
From watering down juice to extending leftovers with low-cost fillers like rice or beans, boomers scrimp to make supplies last. Getting creative with whatever’s on hand avoids food waste. Small additions like frozen veggies in soups help meals go further.
13. Canning and Preserving Homegrown Foods
Boomers preserve summer’s bounty through canning, pickling, dehydrating or freezing to enjoy fruits, veggies and herbs year-round. Homemade preserves eliminate waste and ensure a steady supply. You’ll always have a taste of the season no matter what’s in stores.
14. Upcycling Containers for Storage
Empty jam jars, milk jugs, coffee tins – boomers reuse all kinds of castoff containers to organize and stash household items, craft supplies, hardware, and more. Get creative with recycling! Boomer garages are full of ingenious upcycled storage systems.
15. Bartering for Services and Goods
Need lawn care but can’t afford it? Boomers swap skills and possessions in direct trades that cut costs for both parties. Your decluttered stuff could score needed services. It builds community connections while saving cash.
16. Maintaining a Bulk Buying Stash
Stocking up on non-perishables when they’re discounted saves boomer households money. Having a small stockpile means fewer pricey stock-up trips, too. But don’t go overboard – stick to reasonable amounts that you’ll actually use up.
17. Reusing Shopping Bags or Bringing Your Own
Before it was trendy, boomers carried reusable tote bags to bag their own groceries. This cuts down on plastic waste and bag costs while saving the environment. You’ll never get stuck paying for bags or feeling guilty over disposables.
Conclusion
Many boomer hacks were born out of necessity and conscious thriftiness during harder economic times. While modern conveniences abound, these old-school habits are just as valuable today for saving money, reducing waste, and living more sustainably.
By embracing the reuse, repair, and repurpose mindset of the boomer generation, millennials and Gen Z can simplify their lives while treading more lightly on the planet.
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