Let’s be honest, we all spend our money a little differently.
Gen Z might drop $8 on a matcha latte or hundreds on a weekend festival ticket, while boomers don’t think twice about a new set of golf clubs or a kitchen renovation.
But beneath these spending habits lies something deeper: values, priorities, and the very different worlds each generation grew up in.
Here are ten things boomers are spending on far more than Gen Z, and the reasons might surprise you.
1) Home ownership
For boomers, home ownership has long been the gold standard of success.
Many bought their homes when prices were reasonable, interest rates were manageable, and “starter homes” were actually a thing.
Gen Z, on the other hand, faces sky-high property prices and stagnant wages.
Even with remote work expanding options, the dream of owning a home can feel more like a fantasy.
While boomers are still spending on home improvements, renovations, and second homes, many younger people are putting their money elsewhere, often into experiences rather than mortgages.
It’s not that Gen Z doesn’t want to own homes. It’s that the math doesn’t quite add up.
2) Fine dining
Having worked in luxury F&B for years, I can tell you that older diners tend to dominate high-end restaurants.
Boomers often view fine dining as a reward for hard work, an experience wrapped in ritual and nostalgia.
They’re the ones booking tables months in advance, ordering wine pairings, and savoring every course.
Gen Z, meanwhile, might be more interested in trying the latest pop-up or street food trend they saw on TikTok.
It’s not that one approach is better than the other. It’s just that boomers see fine dining as a status symbol, while Gen Z tends to see it as occasional entertainment.
3) Traditional travel
You know the kind: cruises, guided tours, and packaged vacations. Boomers love them.
These trips offer comfort, predictability, and a sense of luxury, things they’ve earned after decades of work. They’re also less about adventure and more about relaxation.
Gen Z travelers are more likely to choose backpacking in Vietnam over a Mediterranean cruise. They want authenticity, flexibility, and experiences they can post about.
Boomers, by contrast, are spending heavily on comfort and convenience, and honestly, after years of hustle, who can blame them?
4) Luxury goods
From Rolex watches to high-end handbags, boomers are still driving much of the luxury retail market.
For them, luxury often equals legacy. It’s about craftsmanship, brand heritage, and the pride of owning something timeless.
Gen Z, however, is more selective. They might buy designer items, but they’re also into resale culture, thrift shopping, and minimalist living.
Many younger buyers care more about sustainability and individuality than brand names.
They’d rather spend on an experience that feels unique than on a logo that feels predictable.
5) Health and wellness treatments
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Gen Z talks a lot about wellness, think meditation apps and green juices, but boomers are actually spending more on it.
From personal trainers to spa retreats, supplements, and medical-grade skincare, boomers are willing to pay for anything that helps them feel younger or healthier.
There’s also a psychological factor here. Boomers are confronting aging head-on and want to maintain vitality as long as possible.
Gen Z is still in its youth, and for many, “wellness” is more about mindset than medical maintenance.
Boomers, meanwhile, are writing checks for longevity.
6) Charity and philanthropy
As people get older, their priorities shift. For many boomers, giving back has become a major focus.
They’re donating to causes they care about, funding scholarships, and supporting their local communities. Some are even setting up foundations.
Gen Z tends to support social causes too, but often through activism, volunteering, and social media rather than large donations.
It’s partly about resources, but it’s also about philosophy. Boomers believe in financial contribution.
Gen Z believes in participation and awareness. Both matter, they just play out differently.
7) Automobiles
Boomers grew up in the golden age of car culture. A nice car wasn’t just transportation, it was freedom, status, and identity.
Even today, many boomers still spend big on cars, from luxury sedans to vintage convertibles.
There’s nostalgia attached to the rumble of an engine, the smell of leather seats, the open road.
Gen Z, on the other hand, is less emotionally attached to cars.
Many live in urban areas, rely on ride-sharing, or prioritize sustainability. Electric vehicles and subscription services appeal more than ownership.
Boomers buy cars to enjoy the drive. Gen Z pays for access when they need it.
8) Financial advisors and retirement planning
It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical, and boomers take it seriously.
They’re paying for financial planners, estate attorneys, and investment consultants.
After all, many are at the stage of preserving wealth rather than chasing it.
Gen Z, meanwhile, often prefers doing it themselves. They use apps like Robinhood, watch YouTube tutorials on investing, and discuss side hustles on Reddit.
Boomers trust expertise. Gen Z trusts information. That’s a generational divide if there ever was one.
9) Home entertainment
Remember when home theaters were the ultimate flex? Boomers still love that.
Many are spending on high-end sound systems, large-screen TVs, and streaming subscriptions.
They grew up when entertainment was about gathering in one place, movie night, game night, or a family dinner followed by a favorite show.
Gen Z’s entertainment habits are far more fragmented. They consume content on their phones, often alone, and value portability over permanence.
While boomers upgrade their living rooms, Gen Z upgrades their digital subscriptions.
10) Pets
Finally, let’s talk about something that crosses generations, pets, though boomers are spending more.
They’re investing heavily in premium pet food, vet care, and even “pet wellness” services.
For many, their pets have become like family, especially in empty-nest households.
Gen Z loves pets too, but their lifestyles often make ownership difficult. Renting, moving frequently, and long work hours or travel plans mean fewer opportunities for full-time pet parenting.
Still, both generations find emotional comfort in animals, it’s just that boomers are more able and willing to spend on them.
The bottom line
When you zoom out, it’s not just about what each generation buys, it’s about what they value.
Boomers grew up in an era of stability and aspiration. They worked hard, saved diligently, and see spending as a reward for that effort.
Gen Z, on the other hand, came of age in uncertainty, through economic crises, a pandemic, and a rapidly changing digital world.
That difference shapes everything. Boomers invest in permanence. Gen Z invests in possibility.
Neither approach is wrong, they’re just reflections of two different realities.
Maybe there’s something to learn from both.
The boomers’ sense of craftsmanship, loyalty, and long-term value.
The Gen Z instinct for flexibility, innovation, and experience.
Somewhere in between those two worlds might be the sweet spot, one where we appreciate what lasts while staying open to what’s next.
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