12 Old-School Money Habits Boomers Swore By (And They Still Work)

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Old-school money habits are where they are at!

These old-school money habits boomers swore by…. and despite the modern days… they still work so give them a whirl!

Pack a Lunch

Boomers were masters of the humble packed lunch, which saved money on meals. They would prepare simple, homemade lunches to bring to work or school instead of buying expensive cafeteria or restaurant food.

Bringing packed lunches isn’t a bad idea after all, especially when things cost so much.

Use Coupons

While more old-fashioned, this practice demonstrates being an intentional, savvy consumer. Now, of course, you can use easy coupon apps and cashback apps to do the same thing with less work. You can put this strategy into practice by using apps available nowadays, such as Ibotta and Fetch, which would allow you to look for digital coupons and “clip” them before you go shopping.

DIY

From home repairs to haircuts, boomers embraced a do-it-yourself spirit to avoid the costs of professional services.

They learned basic skills like plumbing, carpentry, sewing, and cutting hair themselves.

Developing a DIY mindset by watching tutorials and taking community classes can pay dividends. Doing simple home projects, basic grooming services, and even clothing repairs yourself can save a lot of money over hiring professionals.

Use Thrift Stores

Long before thrifting became trendy, boomers frequented second-hand stores for quality clothing, furniture, and household items at bargain prices. They appreciated repurposing and reusing items. They also handed down clothes from one family member to another.

You can adopt this by checking out thrift stores, garage sales, online marketplaces like Craigslist/Facebook, and apps like OfferUp to find affordable second-hand goods instead of buying new.

Do a Staycation

With international travel less accessible financially, boomers got creative by exploring local attractions and regional destinations for vacations instead of expensive trips abroad.

You can embrace this by researching free and low-cost activities, parks, museums, and events in their city or within drivable distances for affordable “staycation” fun without splurging on airfare and hotels.

Make it Potluck

Rather than hiring pricey caterers, boomers hosted potluck gatherings where each guest contributed a dish to share the costs.

You can revive this tradition for celebrations and dinner parties by coordinating inexpensive potluck meals with friends and family instead of going out or ordering expensive catering.

Start Bartering

Before today’s freelance marketplaces, boomers commonly bartered services like childcare or handyman skills with friends and neighbors to avoid cash costs.

You can look for opportunities to barter their skills and services with others in exchange for needs they have, rather than paying out of pocket.

Cook at Home

Boomers cooked at home all the time.

Teach yourself to cook. Start small and build your confidence with easier dishes you know you’ll love. You’ll both eat better and save a ton of cash.

Limit Impulse Spending

Boomers didn’t spend much outside their budget, but that’s become something of a norm today. You can hack the system by putting an “impulse purchase” category into your budget.

Take Advantage of Free Resources

Many communities offer free resources such as libraries, fitness classes, and workshops. Explore local offerings to find activities that interest you without the price tag. Libraries also provide free access to books, audiobooks, and digital media, making it easy to enjoy entertainment on a budget. It’s not a fancy online Masterclass, but that’s a good thing; it’s the same information at a fraction of the cost. Boomers saw opportunities everywhere to make the most of what was around them, and entertainment or personal development was no exception.

Negotiate Your Bills

This is probably the most well-kept secret, but did you know you can negotiate how much you pay for things like your internet? Many service providers are willing to offer discounts or lower rates to retain customers. Call your internet, cable, or phone providers and ask if there are any promotions or cheaper plans you can switch to. It sounds a lot scarier than it is, and more often than not they’ll be happy to help.