Some goals just don’t age well, yet many boomers still hold onto them. It’s the kind of stuff that made total sense in 1975, but now feels anything but. Here are twelve outdated life goals that, for one reason or another, some boomers still push on young people. How many of these have you shared with other people?
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Getting Married Before 30
Many boomers usually treat 30 like it’s some kind of deadline. They think that if you’re not married by then, something went wrong. They’ll bring it up like it’s part of being a grown-up. Sadly, a lot of them don’t see how it’s a personal decision, nor do they care that you’re focused on your career.
Retiring At Exactly 65
Speaking of ages, many boomers see 65 as the finish line, rather than just a number. After all, they planned their entire working life around hitting that age and calling it quits. But with how things are now in terms of gig work and a lack of pensions, retirement looks totally different. It’s delayed for some people, and nonexistent for others.
Paying Off Your House Before 50
But that’s not all. Boomers love to talk about how they paid off their mortgage early by skipping trips and driving older cars. Oh, and don’t forget they doubled their payments. Some of them encourage young people to do the same, as if the issue is discipline and not that the prices have changed quite a bit.
Country Club Memberships
Boomers love a good country club, and that’s mostly because they see it as something greater than a place to play golf. It involves belonging somewhere respectable. They’ll ask if you’ve looked into joining. They see it as a natural step after you’ve turned 30. Yet the truth is that you’re splitting the cost of Netflix with your cousin and trying not to bounce your car payment.
Measuring Success By Square Footage
A bigger house means a better life, at least, according to some boomers. They’ll ask how many bedrooms you have because they see it as a direct measure of how well you’re doing. The truth is, though, the majority of younger people are trying to find a place where rent is less than 80% of their paycheck. They couldn’t care less about square footage.
Getting A Company Car
Older generations often see their first big “win” at work as being the time when they got a company car. It meant you were somebody. Today, they continue to see it as a huge benefit, regardless of whether you work remotely or don’t even drive. But most people are more excited about having a flexible schedule, rather than getting a sedan with the company logo on the side.
Saving Up For A Big Wedding
With the way boomers talk about weddings, you’d think they were talking about the Super Bowl. For this generation, the guest list has to be over 100 & a champagne toast is required. They planned for months and spent big, which they still expect to this day. Yet a lot of couples would rather use that money to pay off debt or do something else.
Moving To The Suburbs As Soon As You Can
Once you had a stable job, moving to the suburbs was the next step, thanks to the quiet streets and actually having a lawn to mow. It was just what people did. As such, telling them that you like your apartment downtown, or that you don’t actually drive, is sure to confuse them. Why wouldn’t you want a yard?
Getting A Second Property
Likewise, this generation sees owning a second property as a smart investment, rather than a burden. It doesn’t matter if it’s a rental unit or a cabin, having one was a major financial goal. You’ll even see them arguing to this day about it. They’ll say it’s what you should be working toward, never mind that most people can barely afford one place, let alone two.
Having Kids As Soon As You’re Married
As soon as you’re married, boomers expect that kids will be right around the corner, maybe within the year. The idea of waiting a few years doesn’t quite register. And not having them at all just isn’t a decision. Unfortunately, they don’t recognize that the timeline they grew up with doesn’t correspond with how people plan things now.
Buying A Burial Plot Early
Don’t be surprised if you hear boomers talk about burial plots out of nowhere. It’s because they believe that buying a burial plot early is a kind of responsible planning that means one less thing for the kids to worry about later. Yet the truth is, most people today haven’t made that a life goal. They’re just trying to get through the week without having a breakdown.
Having A Spouse Who Doesn’t Work
In Boomer households, it was normal for one person to stay home, usually the wife, but sometimes the husband. Either way, there was one career and one homemaker. This kind of setup doesn’t work for most people now, as two incomes aren’t optional anymore. Couples who want that lifestyle usually can’t afford it, but some boomers think it’s what “stability” looks like.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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