What Boomers Actually Got Right About Money (And Where They Failed)

Gen Z is obsessed with “soft living” and “quiet quitting,” but boomers accidentally figured out the wealth code decades ago. Here’s what millennials should actually copy — and what to completely ignore.

The Boomer Wins

Long-term investing > chasing meme stocks. Most boomers who actually got rich didn’t day trade or YOLO into crypto. They just bought real estate and index funds, let compound interest do its thing, and didn’t touch it for 30 years. Revolutionary, I know. They also maxed out 401(k)s to dodge taxes while building portfolios — something most people still aren’t doing.

Staying away from credit card debt is actually a flex. When boomers built wealth, you couldn’t impulse-buy on Amazon at 2 AM. Now credit card interest rates are literally destroying generational wealth faster than inflation. The math is brutal: if compound interest grows stocks, it absolutely obliterates your checking account when you’re carrying balances.

Setting actual financial goals works. Whether it’s a down payment in 5 years or cutting $100/month from your budget, having targets keeps you from spending money the second it hits your account. Most people never even review their expenses — there’s probably free money sitting in your subscriptions right now.

The Boomer Trap (Don’t Fall For It)

Company loyalty is a scam. Boomers stayed at one job for 30 years and got pensions. Now? Job hopping gets you 15-20% salary bumps vs. waiting for that 2% annual raise. Your employer will replace you with AI the moment it’s cheaper. Side hustles and diversified income aren’t optional anymore.

“Keeping up with the Joneses” destroys you. Boomers (and everyone else) bought fancy cars and oversized houses to look rich. Plot twist: actually rich people look broke. The less you spend on status purchases, the more optionality you have later. That’s the real flex.