There’s nothing wrong with having a little gray around the temples or creaking when you get out of bed. But if you’re still reaching for the TV remote like it’s a lifeline or balancing your checkbook by hand, chances are you’re flying the “over 50” flag without realizing it. These habits aren’t bad, they’re just part of the rhythm of a different time.
Some call it nostalgia, others call it “back in my day” behavior. Either way, certain things you do scream that you grew up with payphones, milk deliveries, and paper maps. Let’s see which ones sound familiar.
Leaving Voicemails for Everything
You call, they don’t answer, so you leave a voicemail. But for many under 30, that move feels ancient. They see a missed call and text back. Leaving a detailed message now feels more like a parent thing. And yes, they probably didn’t listen to the voicemail at all.
Writing Checks at the Grocery Store
Nothing slows down a checkout line like someone pulling out a checkbook. Younger shoppers use Apple Pay or Venmo, while you’re double-checking if you wrote the date correctly. A report from the Federal Reserve found that only 10% of U.S. payments are made by check, most likely by people over 50.
Carrying Cash “Just in Case”
Tucking a few twenties into your wallet for emergencies is something your parents taught you, and you stuck with it. But a Pew Research Center study showed that nearly 54% of Americans under 50 say they don’t worry about using cash in a typical week. For those over 50, over 70% still carry it regularly.
Still Watching Live TV With Commercials
You know what time “Wheel of Fortune” comes on, and you’re there with popcorn ready. Streaming? Sure, you’ve heard of it. But there’s something comforting about flipping through channels. Meanwhile, Gen Z barely knows what a “channel” even is.
Owning a Landline
You’re the last person on your street with a working landline, and you answer it. The Washington Post reports that only 5% of Americans use a landline. Those over 65 are the largest group of landline users. You’re keeping that corded phone company.
Balancing Your Checkbook Manually
You still sit down each month with a pen, calculator, and a bank statement. Meanwhile, younger folks haven’t seen a checkbook outside of a history meme. You trust the paper trail, and no app can replace that routine.
Using a Paper Map or Atlas
You keep one in the glove box and swear by it. “Google Maps can go out,” you say. True. But most people under 40 have never had to fold an actual map back up. And you still know your way on a road trip without turn-by-turn voice directions yelling, “Recalculating!”
Still Buying CDs or DVDs
You’ve got a wall of CDs alphabetized and a DVD collection that rivals your local library. Streaming is convenient, but what happens if the internet goes out? You’re prepared. Meanwhile, your kids don’t even have disc drives.
Reading the Newspaper at the Breakfast Table
There’s a comfort in flipping those pages and getting ink on your fingers. While most people scroll through headlines on their phones, you like the feel of paper with your coffee. A Pew Research survey found that only 6% of Americans get their news primarily from print media. You can be sure that you’d hardly find a Millennial or Gen Z in that 6%.
Keeping a Rolodex
While everyone else scrolls through contact lists on their phones, you’ve got a Rolodex with names, addresses, and phone numbers written in neat cursive. If you need to call your dentist or the local handyman, it’s all right there, no scrolling required.
Sending Birthday Cards Through the Mail
You stop by Hallmark, pick the perfect card, and add a thoughtful note. Younger generations might just drop a text or post on someone’s timeline. But you still believe in the magic of snail mail and a handwritten signature.
Taking Photos With a Digital Camera
You’ve got a Canon or Nikon that you bring out for birthdays and vacations. It’s not about filters or instant uploads. It’s about capturing the moment, then printing it later. Your photo albums are full, and you actually look at them.
Telling Time With a Wristwatch (Not a Smartwatch)
You wear a classic wristwatch that ticks. It doesn’t track your steps, heart rate, or sleep cycles. It just tells time. And you check it with a glance, not a swipe or voice command.
Using Coupons Cut From the Newspaper
You’ve got a folder or envelope of coupons ready for each grocery shopping trip. Clipping them is part of the routine. Meanwhile, most shoppers just scan a barcode or use digital apps. You still believe in saving 50 cents the old-fashioned way.
Calling to Confirm Plans
You’d like to call and double-check. Are we still on for dinner? What time are we meeting? Texting might be quicker, but hearing a voice just feels more certain for boomers. Younger folks find that a bit extra, but hey, you just like to be sure.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here and let’s break down how.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
