Gen X is the most versatile workforce, comprising 51% of leadership roles in the workforce, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which attests to their overall impact in professional environments. With nearly 65 million members in Generation X (more than 20% of the U.S. population), their habits are defining today’s culture and certain economies.
From financial decisions to lifestyle preferences, the differences among these generations underscore broader changes in values and technology. In light of the data and with insights from experts and emerging trends, here’s a closer look at what Gen X is leaving for heirs and why it’s generating so much angst among Boomers.
Cable TV
Gen Xers are cable cord-cutters, as 71% of them now use Netflix and Hulu for TV instead of cable. Gen Xers tend to use more subscription VOD and free online video services than Baby Boomers, suggesting their content preferences are more aligned with those of Gen Z.
Streaming accounted for 40.4% of the total available music in November 2024, the highest share recorded at that time. This has left Boomers yearning for the prime-time TV culture and ad environment they came to know and love.
9-to-5 Workdays
Gen X’s appetite for work-life balance has fueled the trend toward remote work, contract work, side hustles, and flexible working hours. Today, approximately 60% of remote-capable workers indicate a preference for a hybrid work model. At the same time, around one-third prefer to work entirely from home, and fewer than 10% would like a fully office-based regimen.
This shifting attitude toward workplace flexibility sends many Boomers’ minds into a tailspin. To them, their long hours spent in the office were worn like lapel pins of achievement, and many find it hard to comprehend that productivity data consistently maintains the new model.
Formal Banking
For 52% of Gen X respondents, managing many of the most expensive liabilities, such as mobile banking apps, has become their new norm, according to Deloitte’s 2023 Consumer Survey on Banking Methods.
This is a generation that has transitioned from physical checkbooks to faster, tech-savvy alternatives, including Venmo and PayPal. And Baby Boomers, who retain a moderate level of trust in brick-and-mortar banks, are skeptical but starting to get accustomed to the new reality.
Traditional Retirement Plans
Gen X is shifting away from pensions and employer-sponsored retirement plans, opting instead for 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts. Gen Xers are saving 39% of all contributions for retirement accounts, according to Vanguard’s 2023 report.
Gen is still leading with about 39% of all contributions to retirement accounts due to skepticism for the future stability of Social Security. Boomers find this jarring because they’ve come to think of traditional retirement plans as a privilege.
Handwritten Notes and Letters
With email and instant messaging as the primary tools of the era, handwritten letters are a luxury for Gen X. This is particularly a significant change for Boomers, many of whom value handwritten correspondence as more genuine and heartfelt, and find the reports hard to accept.
As of 2023, 39% of households sent personal letters—that is, everything from a prioress’s supplication to a WhatsApp printout.
Luxury Cars
Functionality trumps status for Gen X, which tends to favor cars that are fuel-efficient or utilitarian rather than traditional luxury vehicles. Thirty-two percent of Gen X respondents to Experian’s 2023 Survey stated that they are very likely to buy a new electric vehicle, indicating high interest in EVs within this generation.
Boomers who associate luxury cars with a status symbol often fail to understand why sustainability and purpose take precedence over the brand’s perception.
Department Store Shopping
During the 2023 holiday season, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers were more inclined to shop online through retail websites, while younger generations preferred shopping in person at malls.
The ease, variety, and ability to compare prices that Amazon and other e-tailing giants, such as Walmart, offer have made mall stores largely irrelevant. Older generations, on the other hand, prefer the toes-on-the-carpet, social pleasures of in-store shopping to minimize expenses.
Fine China and Heirlooms
Minimalist living has Gen X prioritizing functionality and space, and discarding bulky family heirlooms and fine china.
60% of Generation X respondents reported putting heirlooms in a safe place to pass along, indicating a preference for preserving these items for future generations. Boomers, who place symbolic value on these artifacts, consider this a problematic deviation from the norm.
Landlines
Smartphones have effectively replaced landlines; a recent Pew Research Center poll of 1,033 U.S. adults conducted between May 19 and September 5, 2023, found that 90% of U.S. adults own a smartphone, while 80% have high-speed broadband internet at home.
This suggests a strong trend in communication preferences, with U.S. adults, including 95% of Gen Xers, overwhelmingly choosing mobile phones over landlines. To the Boomer mindset, this shift defies reasoning as they continue to revere what was once the ultimate in time-saving convenience.
Formal Dining Rooms
Dining rooms are on the decline in Gen X homes, according to a National Association of Realtors poll, in which 68% of respondents admitted to converting the traditional space into home offices or playrooms. This home trend has changed thanks to efficiency and space optimization, much to the perceptions of Boomers who prefer to maintain that homey look.
Magazines and Newspapers
Print is dying as this generation consumes media. According to Pew Research, more than three-quarters of baby boomers own a smartphone, 68% own a computer, and 82% have a cable or satellite television subscription.
A mere 30% of Gen Xers read newspapers, with digital subscriptions dominating the news landscape for this generation. Boomers see this as a dissolving of tradition and a degradation of tactile pleasure.
Lawn Maintenance
Busy schedules and a desire for productivity have encouraged Gen X to hire landscapers or replace their lawns with low-maintenance alternatives. A report from the TurfMutt Foundation showed a 41% increase in low-maintenance gardening choices for Gen X homeowners compared to 28% Baby Boomers
Traditional Weddings
Eloping, smaller ceremonies, and destination weddings have replaced traditional big weddings for Gen Xers.
Trends toward micro weddings also continue to grow, with the median cost of a wedding of their choice being around $5,000, prompting them to prioritize stability and work-life balance. Boomers, on the other hand, prioritize marriage as a societal milestone.
Key Takeaways
Generation X is changing the rules of behavior by hunting for practicality, results, and flexibility. This generation is straying from the rigidity that characterized the values of Baby Boomers. Whether it’s record-cutting, working remotely, or living simpler lives, the contrasts reflect larger technological and cultural shifts.
Though these shifts may challenge Boomers’ sensibilities, it’s evident that Gen X’s decisions respond to an ever-changing world. The conflict between these generations illustrates the duality of tradition and modernity. One thing is abundantly clear: Gen X is leaving its mark on culture by upending expectations for subsequent generations.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
Don’t Swipe Until You Read This: The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
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There’s this moment that sticks with me—standing at a checkout line, swiping my old card like I always did, and thinking, “Wait… why am I not getting anything back for this?” I wasn’t traveling on points. I wasn’t getting cash back. I was just spending. Sound familiar?
Look, the truth is, credit cards can work for you—if you choose the right one. And in 2025, you’ve got some seriously rewarding options that can actually boost your bank account. From travel lovers to grocery haulers, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s break down the best credit cards out there this year—the ones that actually give back.
12 Kitchen Hacks You May Not Know
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Sometimes preparing meals and just dealing with food can feel like a bore and a chore, or just plain frustrating! We’ve got the best food hacks to pass down to you to get you in and out of the kitchen fast. Not more drudgery, and dare we say it, some of these hacks are kind of fun. Save money, too. Win-win!
Do you have a kitchen hack we should know about?
