Feb 11, 2026

3 Bills Baby Boomers Still Pay That Gen Z Knows To Skip

Written by Jamela Adam

Edited by Brendan McGinley

The gap between how baby boomers and Gen Z handle their money is bigger than ever. While boomers tend to stick to traditional bills they've paid for decades, many Gen Zers are cutting those same expenses out of their budgets entirely.

Plus, with new technology, these old services are starting to become obsolete, which is why many younger people are refusing to pay for bills their parents and grandparents considered non-negotiable. Here are a few big ones.

Cable TV Subscriptions

For boomers, cable TV was once the only way to get dozens (or even hundreds) of channels at home. But now, younger generations rely on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and YouTube TV.

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Even if they subscribe to multiple services, the cost is often cheaper and far more flexible than traditional cable packages, which are often weighed down with channels they never watch. Plus, many Gen Zers share subscriptions with friends or family, which makes it even more affordable.

Cable companies have tried to adapt by offering "skinny bundles," but the convenience and affordability of streaming apps mean Gen Z is unlikely to go back to paying steep cable bills.

Landline Phone Service

If you grew up in a baby boomer household, there was almost always a home phone that was usually attached to the wall with a long cord. Some boomers may still pay for landline service, especially when it's bundled with cable or internet packages. But Gen Z has moved on completely.

If you ask most young people, they'll say that paying for a landline is unnecessary since smartphones cover everything, including calls, texts and video chats. Plus, most people now also prefer to contact each other using FaceTime or WhatsApp, which are completely free to use as long as you have a connection to Wi-Fi.

Print Newspapers and Magazines

Boomers grew up with a daily paper on the doorstep and stacks of magazines on the coffee table. Many still subscribe because they enjoy the ritual or prefer reading on paper. But now, you'll barely see someone born after the '90s reading a newspaper.

With online news, free articles, newsletters, podcasts and TikTok updates, younger generations can get news for free directly from their smartphones. And even if they do pay, it's usually for a single online subscription like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal.

For Gen Z, the cost of a $20 to $40 monthly print subscription doesn't make sense when the same information is available online.

Times Are Changing, and So Are the Bills Gen Zs Are Willing To Pay

What was once considered essential for boomers is now optional (or unnecessary) for Gen Z. With tighter budgets and smarter tech, younger people are rethinking where their money goes and refusing to pay for services that don't fit their lifestyle. It's a shift that shows just how quickly our idea of must-have bills can change from one generation to the next.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Jamela Adam

Edited by

Brendan McGinley