Spending habits change over time and Gen Z definitely makes different choices with their money compared to older generations. They’re moving away from certain products & services that their parents and grandparents still pay for—and they’re completely changing consumer patterns in doing so. Here are twelve things that Gen Z has stopped spending money on while older generations keep paying for them. Who knows what future generations will or won’t pay for?
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Hiring Professional Photographers for Family Portraits
Lots of older generations hire professional photographers for formal family portraits, especially during milestones like anniversaries or reunions, and then they’ll hang these framed photos in their homes. But Gen Z typically doesn’t go this route since they prefer using their smartphones to take pictures as these have high-quality phone cameras & editing apps—then, they’ll share these pictures instantly on social media. They’re able to capture great moments without the expense of a professional so scheduling a formal photo shoot seems unnecessary to them.
Purchasing Decorative Collectibles
Collecting decorative items like porcelain figurines is popular among older adults and they might display collections from brands like Hummel or Swarovski in their homes. Yet most of Gen Z isn’t into collecting such things as they prefer minimalistic spaces without a lot of knick-knacks. Spending money on items that don’t serve a practical purpose doesn’t make sense to them and they’d much rather invest in technology than fill their shelves.
Fine China and Crystal
Buying fine china and crystal was a big deal for older generations and they’d invest in brands like Wedgwood or Waterford when getting elegant dishware & glassware to use on special occasions. But Gen Z isn’t into that—they prefer practical dishes from stores like IKEA or Target that are durable & dishwasher-safe. Spending lots of money on fragile items that mostly sit unused doesn’t make sense to them so they’d rather have functional kitchenware they’re able to use every day without worry.
Paying for Formal China Cabinets
And with that fine china comes large china cabinets to show it off and these pieces of furniture are something you’ll find in most older people’s homes. However, Gen Z isn’t interested in owning china cabinets since they own fewer collectibles or prefer minimalism, so they don’t need extra storage. Spending money on a bulky cabinet doesn’t fit their lifestyle or budget, especially when their living spaces are smaller and open, airy rooms are trendy.
Formal Dining Room Furniture
Older people care about having a formal dining room with a big table & matching chairs because it’s a perfect place for hosting dinner parties and holiday meals. As such, they might spend a good chunk of money on a solid wood set from a furniture store, although Gen Z is moving away from this idea. They prefer open-concept living spaces & multifunctional furniture, so they’ll go for a simple table that doubles as a workspace over a formal dining set.
Travel Agents
Booking trips through travel agents is quite common among older travelers who appreciate personalized service and they like having someone handle the details & suggest destinations. Gen Z prefers to plan their own adventures online, using websites like Expedia or Airbnb to find the best deals while reading reviews on TripAdvisor. They might even follow travel influencers on Instagram for ideas—either way, they enjoy booking everything themselves.
Fine Jewelry Purchases
Most older adults will invest in fine jewelry like diamond rings, gold necklaces & luxury watches because they see these pieces as status symbols—or they might be family heirlooms. Yet Gen Z isn’t as interested in spending big on expensive jewelry since they prefer affordable accessories from places like H&M. They’d much rather buy items that match their personal style but don’t break the bank—getting the latest tech is much more appealing to them!
Investing in Fine Art and Antiques
You’ll find plenty of fine art & antiques in older people’s homes as they see them as valuable investments—they’ll visit auctions or antique shops to find unique pieces, unlike Gen Z, who usually skips this. Instead, they decorate their spaces with posters & prints from online artists because spending thousands on a painting is too much money for them! They’d rather get personal and affordable items that reflect their own style over traditional standards.
Paying for Personalized Stationery
Many older adults enjoy writing letters on personalized stationery that includes their name or monogram embossed on high-quality paper, which they’ll use to send handwritten notes for birthdays & holidays. Gen Z communicates digitally—they’ll send texts or messages on social media, which means that custom stationery isn’t on their radar. They rarely need paper to stay in touch because it’s much faster & more convenient for them to connect electronically.
Buying Ironing Boards and Irons
It’s no secret that older generations like to keep their clothes looking crisp and they’ll invest in an iron & ironing board to do so, taking the time to press every item they own. Gen Z usually skips ironing since they prefer casual clothing that doesn’t require it—if something needs refreshing, they’ll just use a handheld steamer. The laziest of them will toss it in the dryer for a few minutes!
Investing in Patterned Wallpaper
While Gen Z usually avoids wallpaper, decorating walls with patterned wallpaper is quite normal for older adults because it adds a little personality to their homes. They might spend significant time & money choosing designs and then have them installed—but younger people prefer painted walls or removable decals. Most of them are renters so they don’t want to invest in something that’s hard to remove and wallpaper feels too permanent for them.
Purchasing Extended Cable Packages
Basic cable does cover the essentials yet older adults often pay for extended packages that include premium channels like HBO, Showtime & specialty sports networks. They enjoy the variety they get—meanwhile, Gen Z sticks to streaming services for their entertainment needs. This generation prefers watching shows and movies on demand, meaning that paying extra for large cable bundles doesn’t appeal to them.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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