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10 Things Boomers Still Pay For That Gen Z Gets Free (And How to Fix It)

Why yesterday's necessities are splurges today.

By Stacy Garrels , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated April 28, 2026

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A lot of what we pay for comes down to habit. If you grew up in a time when certain services were essential, you may still be paying for them without batting an eye.

Younger generations aren't necessarily better with money, but they've grown up with different defaults. Many things that once required a purchase are now free, bundled, or easily replaced with digital alternatives.

Here's where those gaps show up, and what you can do about them to avoid wasting money.

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Postage stamps

Mail used to be the default. Bills, letters, insurance cards — everything required a stamp. Now, most communication happens digitally. Bills can be paid online, documents downloaded and signed electronically, and messages sent instantly.

How to fix it: Switch to paperless billing and online payments. Keep a few stamps on hand for rare cases, but don't default to mailing when digital works faster and is free.

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Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning used to be part of maintaining a professional wardrobe. Many garments required it, and alternatives were limited. Today, a lot of clothing is designed to be machine washable, wrinkle-resistant, or low-maintenance. I myself own a small mountain of wrinkle-resistant, machine-washable silk blouses.

How to fix it: Gradually replace high-maintenance items with easy-care fabrics. For special pieces, clean sparingly instead of automatically after each wear.

New furniture

Buying brand-new furniture used to be the standard, unless you're furnishing your home with family heirlooms. Now, there's a huge secondhand market. Many people give away or sell barely used furniture through various sorts of apps and social groups.

How to fix it: Check local resale apps or "Buy Nothing" groups before purchasing new. You can often find higher-quality items for a fraction of the price — or free. Even simpler, let your friends, family, and coworkers know you're on the prowl for certain goods. I've gotten free dressers, television sets, toddler beds, toy chests, and more.

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Cable TV

Cable was once the only way to access a wide range of channels and entertainment. Now, streaming services offer more flexibility, often at a lower cost, and many people rotate subscriptions instead of paying for everything at once.

For example, my brother-in-law pays $70 a month for cable because he likes being able to "flip" through channels with the remote. I get all the same shows, and then some, by subscribing to Netflix and Amazon Prime for the monthly equivalent of about $20.

How to fix it: Audit what you actually watch. Cancel cable and replace it with one or two streaming services, adding others only when needed.

Landline phone

Landlines were once essential for staying connected at home. Today, most households rely entirely on mobile phones, which offer more flexibility and 24/7 internet at your fingertips.

How to fix it: If you're still paying for a landline, consider canceling it. Keep your mobile plan updated and ensure emergency contacts are saved and accessible. Or you can try my husband's approach. Get a landline (cheapest plan possible) and set it up so calls roll over to your "free" cell. He uses a free "burner" phone (it's still a smartphone) and siphons off free WiFi wherever he goes.

Subscription testing services

Publications like Consumer Reports used to be one of the few ways to research products before buying. Now, reviews are everywhere. Look on retailer sites, forums, and platforms where you can see items in use.

How to fix it: Before renewing paid subscriptions, try using free reviews, comparison sites, and video demonstrations to make informed decisions. YouTube, Amazon, and TikTok are great places to start.

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Printed maps and guidebooks

I can vaguely recall family road trips with a map blanketing the dashboard as my dad cursed and swerved (arguably way more dangerous than texting at the wheel). Travel once required physical maps and guidebooks to navigate unfamiliar places. Now, navigation apps, reviews, and travel content are updated in real time and available instantly on your phone.

How to fix it: Use map apps and save locations ahead of time. Use recent reviews and digital guides instead of buying physical copies that may be outdated. Personally, I use Google Maps to go everywhere. My favorite route is the fastest, cheapest one. Google knows when there are traffic jams or road closures, and always gives me the best route.

Travel agents for routine trips

Travel agents used to be the primary way to book flights, hotels, and packages. Today, most booking platforms are user-friendly and allow you to compare options quickly with excellent visibility into pricing.

How to fix it: Try booking your next trip online. Use comparison tools to check flights and hotels, and only use agents for complex or specialized travel. Travelocity, Priceline, and Orbitz are all great discount sites that I have used to book travel before. Check prices on Google Flights, as it can have more up-to-the-minute prices than other third-party sites.

Organized tour groups

Group tours offer structure and convenience, but they often come at a premium. Many travelers now plan their own itineraries using online resources, recommendations, and real-time information.

How to fix it: Build your own itinerary using travel blogs, reviews, and maps. You can still join tour groups when visiting different sites, or even splurge and pay for private tours at places you're most interested in.

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Print newspapers and magazines

Print media used to be the primary source of news, entertainment, and information. Now, most content is available digitally — often for free or at a lower cost — and updated continuously.

How to fix it: Transition to digital subscriptions or free online sources. Cancel print deliveries you don't regularly read and replace them with curated newsletters or apps. If you must get your fix, do it for free. Coffee shops and cafes often keep newspapers on hand, or you can squat at Barnes and Noble and peruse their copy for free. And if you live in an apartment building with amenities, ask the management to subscribe to your favorite publications.

Bottom line

These expenses aren't inherently wasteful; they just reflect a different era, although lower-cost or free alternatives now exist. At the same time, younger generations spend heavily in other areas like delivery fees, fast fashion, and convenience services.

A savvy consumer can observe the frugaler habits of others, reexamine their own, and adopt some new smart money moves.

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