Many millennials assume certain comforts have always been part of adult life, but for their parents, these “essentials” were once luxuries. From daily lattes to smart kitchen gadgets, today’s conveniences reflect a major cultural and economic shift. Here’s a look at 10 luxury items millennials enjoy that previous generations either lived without or considered indulgent.
1. Daily Coffee Shop Runs
Grabbing a $5 latte on the way to work is normal now, but older generations brewed their coffee at home or got it for free at the office. The most they would splurge was probably on gas station coffee. Daily specialty drinks were considered indulgent, not routine. The Starbucks we know today didn’t start serving espresso drinks until the 1980s.
2. Unlimited Data and Streaming Services
Today’s on-demand entertainment is a given. Binge watching wasn’t possible for millennials’ parents. Past generations had to wait for scheduled TV shows, rent VHS tapes, or buy CDs. Paying monthly for several streaming platforms would’ve seemed outrageous.
3. Uber and Food Delivery Apps
Getting a ride or meal delivered within minutes was unthinkable. Taxis were a hassle, and delivery was limited to pizza and Chinese food. The convenience millennials enjoy was once a major luxury. If you needed to get somewhere, like the airport, past generations would schedule a car service days in advance or rely on a friend or family member for a ride.
4. Designer Gym Apparel
Athleisure is a fashion category now, with $100 leggings and branded sports bras. Lululemon wasn’t around for millennials’ parents. Boomers wore old T-shirts and sweatpants to work out. No one spent big bucks to look cute at the gym. Even in the 1980s, colorful leotards and high socks weren’t as expensive as gym apparel today.
5. Weekly Spa or Self-Care Treatments
Facials, massages, and mani-pedis weren’t routine maintenance. These were reserved for special occasions or vacations, not biweekly rituals. Self-care has become a buzzword that has a different meaning for millennials’ parents. For Baby Boomers, the concept of self-care was more practical and less openly discussed. Mental health, emotional well-being, and setting boundaries weren’t mainstream topics. Instead, there was a strong focus on hard work, stoicism, and pushing through stress. If Boomers did take care of themselves, they weren’t posting about it on social media.
6. High-End Kitchen Appliances
Espresso machines, air fryers, and smart blenders are now common in millennial homes. Their parents managed fine with basic stoves, microwaves, and hand mixers. Even stand mixers or electric can openers were seen as a luxury. Today, there is a gadget for every kitchen need.
7. Subscription Boxes
From skincare to snacks to pet toys, millennials love monthly boxes of curated goods. Past generations didn’t pay for surprise deliveries of things they didn’t choose or need. To them, subscription boxes would have been seen as frivolous and throwing away hard-earned money. Instead, boomers are more price-conscious and intentional with their money.
8. Tech-Heavy Baby Gear
Today’s parents have smart bassinets, wipe warmers, and formula mixers. Gen X and Boomers raised kids with playpens, basic cribs, and maybe a baby monitor if they splurged. Boomer grandparents are sometimes uncomfortable with all of these parenting hacks. To them, raising children was a low-tech experience.
9. Fancy Water Bottles and Drinkware
Hydro Flasks, Stanley cups, and glass tumblers are now status symbols. Older generations drank tap water from regular glasses. They may have even refilled an empty Gatorade bottle. Nothing was ever wasted.
10. Frequent Air Travel for Leisure
Millennials book flights for weekend getaways and weddings. For their parents, air travel was rare and expensive. It was often reserved for family emergencies or major vacations only. Now, airlines offer lower-priced fares than what millennials’ parents are used to, think Spirit Airlines. In the 1980s, a typical domestic flight could cost $300-$600, which would be about $900-$1,800 today.
Luxury Items That Are Taken for Granted
Millennials often take for granted the everyday conveniences that previous generations viewed as luxuries or didn’t have at all. From affordable air travel and on-demand rides to high-end kitchen gadgets and self-care routines, modern life is filled with comforts that were once rare or out of reach. Understanding this shift offers perspective, and maybe a little gratitude, for just how far daily living has come.
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