What Different Generations Think Are Must-Haves vs. Luxuries

Ever tried explaining to your grandma why you “need” fast Wi-Fi, and she just doesn’t get it? Or watched a Gen Z kid roll their eyes when their dad talks about how cable TV is better than Netflix? That’s because what people think is essential changes over time.

Something Boomers saw as a must-have, like home phones, is now totally unnecessary. Meanwhile, younger generations can’t imagine life without things that didn’t even exist a few decades ago, like streaming or food delivery apps.

So, let’s break it down. What does each generation think is a necessity, and what do they see as a luxury? And what do studies say about it?

Baby Boomers (Born 1946–1964)

What’s a Necessity?

Owning a House – Back when they were buying homes, prices weren’t completely ridiculous. That’s why 78% of Boomers own their homes, compared to just 51% of Millennials (Pew Research, 2023).
Health Insurance & Medicare – They’re older now, so 84% of Boomers say having good health insurance is a top priority (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023). Medical bills are no joke.
Cable TV & Watching the News – 64% of Boomers still pay for cable, even though streaming is cheaper (AARP, 2022). They just like their regular TV setup, and honestly, they don’t trust Netflix to give them “real news.”
Landline Phones – A lot of them still have one because they think cell phones aren’t reliable enough. 40% of Boomers still keep a landline at home, just in case.
Retirement Savings – They planned for retirement the old-school way—pensions, 401(k)s, and Social Security. Unlike younger generations, most didn’t rely on side gigs or investing in crypto.
Reliable Cars (Non-Electric) – They want a car that lasts forever. None of that fancy electric stuff. Just a good old Toyota or Honda that won’t die on them.

What Feels Like a Luxury?

Streaming Services – Why pay for Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ when cable already has a million channels? Makes no sense to them.
New Tech – They don’t get the hype. A phone is a phone. 38% of Boomers still use flip phones (AARP, 2022), and they’re totally fine with it. Smartwatches? No thanks.
Smart Home Gadgets – Alexa? Ring doorbells? Smart thermostats? They don’t see the point. If they want to turn off a light, they’ll just use the switch.
Online Shopping – They still like going to actual stores and writing checks. Ordering everything online just feels weird to them.

Gen X (Born 1965–1980)

What’s a Necessity?

Two Incomes – Life isn’t cheap, and most Gen X households need two paychecks to make it work (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). One salary just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Retirement Plans & 401(k)s – They watched Boomers struggle with money in retirement, so saving for the future is a big deal to them. They don’t want to be stuck working forever.
Owning a Home (If They Can Afford It) – Unlike Boomers, who bought homes when prices were reasonable, many Gen Xers are still paying off mortgages and wondering if they’ll ever be done.
High-Speed Internet – Gen X was the first generation to grow up with the internet, so they need fast Wi-Fi just like younger folks. 76% say it’s a must (Pew Research, 2023).
Credit Cards & Good Credit – Unlike Millennials and Gen Z, who lean into buy-now-pay-later options, Gen X cares a lot about credit scores and financial stability.
Email & Facebook – They’re not on TikTok, but they still check Facebook daily and rely on email for work and life. It’s their version of texting.

What Feels Like a Luxury?

Brand-New Tech – They don’t care about getting the latest phone every year. As long as it works, they’re keeping it.
Too Many Streaming Services – Netflix is fine, but why would they pay for five different ones when they barely have time to watch TV anyway?
Gig Work & Side Hustles – Unlike Millennials, they’re not into freelancing or gig work. They prefer job security and a steady paycheck.
Smart Home Tech – They don’t mind a few smart gadgets, but they don’t see them as must-haves. If their thermostat works fine, why replace it with one that talks?

Millennials (Born 1981–1996)

What’s a Necessity?

Smartphones & Fast Wi-Fi – No surprise here. A 2023 Deloitte study found that 98% of Millennials own a smartphone. Honestly, who’s the 2% that doesn’t?!
Streaming Services & Digital Content – 90% of Millennials have at least one streaming service (Deloitte, 2023). Cable? Never heard of her.
Remote or Hybrid Work – 83% of Millennials prefer remote or hybrid jobs, compared to 53% of Gen X (Gallup, 2022). Sitting in an office five days a week just feels… unnecessary.
Mental Health Care – Therapy, meditation apps, journaling—this generation doesn’t see mental health as a luxury. It’s just part of taking care of yourself, like going to the gym but for your brain.
Online Shopping & Fast Delivery – If it’s not on Amazon Prime, is it even worth buying? Millennials don’t have time for slow shipping or wandering around stores when they can just order it in two clicks.
Side Hustles & Extra Income – A lot of Millennials don’t fully trust traditional jobs to pay enough, so they always have something on the side. Whether it’s freelancing, reselling, or some kind of online gig, having extra income just feels necessary.

What Feels Like a Luxury?

Buying a House – Home prices are ridiculous now. That’s why 64% of Millennials still rent (Zillow, 2023). Owning a home feels more like a dream than a real goal.
Owning a Car – With Uber, remote jobs, and better public transport, only 60% of Millennials own a car, compared to 84% of Boomers. If they don’t need one, why spend the money?
Luxury Brands – They’d rather spend on travel and experiences than drop a ton of cash on fancy clothes or expensive watches. Memories > designer logos.
9-to-5 Office Jobs – The idea of staying at the same company for 30 years? Yeah, no thanks. Millennials want flexibility, remote work, or at least a job that doesn’t feel like a life sentence.

Gen Z (Born 1997–2012)

What’s a Necessity?

Smartphones & Social Media – A 2023 Pew report says Gen Z spends 4.5 hours a day on social media. So yeah, take away their phone, and they might actually explode.
Fast & Unlimited Wi-Fi – If the internet is slow, everything stops. School, work, entertainment—gone. It’s basically air at this point.
Mental Health Awareness – 70% of Gen Z says mental health is just as important as physical health (McKinsey, 2023). Therapy, self-care, and checking in on your mental state? Not “extra” anymore. Just normal.
Sustainable & Ethical Shopping – Unlike Boomers, who mostly look at price, Gen Z actually cares about where their money goes. If a brand is shady or bad for the planet, they’ll drop it in a second.
Flexible Work & Side Gigs – 80% of Gen Z says work-life balance is more important than a big paycheck (Forbes, 2023). They don’t dream of sitting in an office all day. They want remote jobs, freelancing, or something that gives them freedom.
Instant Delivery & Convenience – If it’s not fast, they don’t want it. 82% prefer online shopping over going to stores (Shopify, 2023). Why waste time walking around a mall when you can get what you need in two clicks?

What Feels Like a Luxury?

College Degrees – 62% of Gen Z thinks trade schools or online courses are just as good as a college degree (Harvard Business Review, 2023). If they can learn the skills without drowning in debt, why not?
Owning a Car – A lot of them don’t even bother getting a driver’s license. Only 47% of eligible Gen Zers have one, compared to 82% of Boomers at the same age. Uber, public transport, or just staying home works fine.
Cable TV & Traditional News – Only 10% of Gen Z watches cable TV. Why pay for a hundred channels they’ll never watch when they can just get all their content from TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter?
Luxury Fashion – They’re not into big designer brands like older generations were. They’d rather thrift, shop secondhand, or buy from small ethical brands. It’s more about the look, not the label.

How Different Generations See Must-Haves vs. Luxuries

It’s pretty funny how different generations see the world. What your grandparents thought was super important might not even matter to you. And stuff you need every day? They might see it as totally unnecessary.

Here’s a quick look at how things have changed over time:

Luxuries and Necessities by Generation

Here’s how different generations see everyday things—whether they think it’s a necessity or just a luxury.

Item	Silent Gen (1928-1945)	Boomers (1946-1964)	Gen X (1965-1980)	Millennials (1981-1996)	Gen Z (1997-2012)
Home Ownership	Necessity	Necessity	Necessity but Challenging	Optional	Unnecessary
Smartphones	Luxury	Nice to Have	Necessary	Essential	Lifeline
Car Ownership	Necessity	Necessity	Necessary	Optional (Ride-share)	Optional (Public Transport)
Streaming Services	Luxury	Luxury	Nice to Have	Essential	Essential
Travel	Luxury	Occasional	Frequent	Essential	Essential
Mental Health Services	Luxury	Optional	Necessary	Essential	Essential
Social Media	Luxury	Optional	Necessary	Important	Core Part of Life

It’s crazy how things change, right? What used to be a luxury for one generation is now a must-have for another. And in the future? Who knows—maybe brain chips and robot assistants will be considered basic necessities!

So, What’s Next?

Things will keep changing, just like they always have. Some stuff we see as “extra” today will probably become must-haves in the future.

Here are a few guesses:

Smart Homes & AI – Your house will talk to you. Lights, security, and even your fridge will just know what you need.
Virtual Reality (VR) & the Metaverse – Hanging out online might be more important than meeting in real life.
Universal Basic Income (UBI) – If jobs change a lot, governments might give people money just to live.
Climate Change & Sustainability – Owning a house might not matter as much as having clean air and water.

And let’s be real—one day, Gen Z will be the ones complaining about how their grandkids think brain chips and robot friends are basic necessities.

So, what’s something your parents think is a luxury, but you have to have? Or something you think is pointless but older people swear by?

No matter what, everyone always thinks their version of “normal” is the right one. And honestly, who doesn’t need good Wi-Fi in 2025?

Final Thought

Every Generation Thinks Differently

Boomers want security—own a house, save money for retirement, and stick with what they know. Stability is the goal.
Gen X is half old-school, half modern—they like stability but also enjoy new tech if it makes life easier.
Millennials want flexibility—remote work, mental health, and digital tools matter more than a typical 9-to-5 job.
Gen Z is all about speed, tech, and doing good—they want things fast, care about brands that are ethical, and basically live online.

And let’s be real—in 50 years, people will probably laugh at us for thinking Wi-Fi was a big deal, just like how we laugh at landlines now. Things change, but everyone thinks their way is “normal.”