Things Millennials Are Killing That Boomers Loved
- - Things Millennials Are Killing That Boomers Loved
Edward ClarkDecember 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
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Generational change rarely happens consciously. More often, older systems fade because newer ones solve problems faster or more cleanly. The shifts below track how everyday infrastructure, including money, space, media, and shopping, stopped aligning with modern routines because the surrounding systems evolved.
Checks
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Before apps handled everything instantly, paper checks were a standard part of adult financial transactions. Rent, utilities, and even casual reimbursements were sent through the mail. Federal Reserve data show that U.S. check usage dropped by more than 60 percent between 2000 and 2018, as direct deposit, online billing, and peer-to-peer payments eliminated delays and paperwork.
Fabric Napkins
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Most meals today happen wherever there is space, not necessarily at a table. When you are eating on the couch, at a desk, or between errands, grabbing one product that handles spills and cleanup makes sense. Nevertheless, millennials purchase fabric napkins far less frequently than older generations, possibly because they require cleaning and upkeep.
Formal Living Rooms
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When housing costs force tough choices, most people would rather gain a home office, workout area, or play space than preserve furniture no one actually uses. Formal living rooms are no longer prioritized.
Fabric Softener
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Laundry routines have become streamlined over time, especially when the benefits are unclear. The Wall Street Journal reported that sales of fabric softener dropped sharply after 2007, as younger consumers questioned its purpose. Many realized modern detergents and washing machines already did the job.
Cable Television
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Watching television no longer means organizing your evening around a fixed start time. Being able to pause, rewind, or pick up a show days later aligns better with modern schedules than appointment viewing. Cable’s decline feels like regaining control over how downtime works.
Golf
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Blocking off four or five hours for a single activity feels unrealistic for many schedules. When additional equipment costs and course access are factored in, the barrier increases. Participation among younger adults is lagging behind that of previous generations, prompting courses to experiment with shorter rounds and more relaxed formats.
Department Store Loyalty
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Browsing racks made sense when shopping took up an afternoon. Today, most people want to buy exactly what they need and move on. Price checks, reviews, and fast shipping have changed expectations.
Casual Dining Chains
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Going out to eat now usually starts with a phone. Menus are scanned, prices are compared, and wait times are weighed before anyone leaves home. Business Insider and Bloomberg have both reported declining traffic at major chains, such as Applebee’s, as diners favor fast-casual spots, delivery apps, or cooking at home instead.
Bar Soap
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Sharing a sink with roommates or guests makes you think differently about hygiene and cleanup. Liquid soap feels easier to manage, especially when space is tight, or people rotate in and out. Even those who later switch back often do so deliberately, not because a bar automatically belongs there.
Physical Bank Branches
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Handling money rarely requires leaving the house anymore. Checking balances, moving funds, or depositing a check usually happens while waiting for coffee or replying to messages. Younger customers enter bank branches far less frequently than older generations, a shift that has prompted banks to close physical locations and invest heavily in mobile tools instead.
Source: “AOL Money”
