As the fast-paced digital lifestyle leaves many people burned out, a surprising shift is happening in 2025: younger generations are embracing habits once labeled as “boomer” behavior. From home-cooked meals to handwritten budgeting, these time-tested routines are making a comeback. Many of these trends are rooted in simplicity, frugality, and mindfulness, values that are resonating in a world overloaded with choices, screens, and subscription fees. These habits are not just nostalgic; they are practical, stress-reducing, and help people regain control over their time, money, and mental space.
1. Home Cooking Is Beating Takeout
More people are choosing to cook at home again, turning away from pricey takeout and meal delivery services. Rising food costs and a desire for healthier ingredients are driving this change. Cooking at home brings people together, allows for creative control, and helps reduce processed food intake. Boomers have long valued home-cooked meals for their nutritional and social benefits, and younger generations are now realizing the peace and purpose that come from preparing a meal from scratch. It’s cheaper, often healthier, and reconnects people to a slower, more intentional rhythm of daily life.
2. Budgeting by Hand Feels Empowering
Paper budgets, envelopes for expenses, and checkbook-style tracking are returning as tools to stay grounded. In contrast to app-based financial management, which can feel abstract and easy to ignore, writing things down creates a deeper awareness of spending habits. Millennials and Gen Z are adopting these boomer budgeting methods to combat inflation and debt fatigue. These tangible tools promote financial discipline and reduce the anxiety that can come from blind digital spending. It’s not about rejecting technology but about using slower, more thoughtful methods to build financial resilience.
3. Unplugging Is the New Luxury
Digital burnout is real, and unplugging has become a sought-after form of self-care. Boomers, who grew up in a largely offline world, intuitively understand the value of screen-free time. In 2025, many people are taking breaks from social media, opting for face-to-face conversations, books, or walks instead of constant scrolling. This intentional disconnection helps improve sleep, focus, and mental health. As tech fatigue rises, more people are realizing that some of the peace boomers enjoyed came from simply being less connected, and they’re now reclaiming that space.
4. Fixing Things Instead of Replacing Them
Repairing clothes, appliances, and furniture is back in style. Influenced by sustainability movements and rising costs, the habit of fixing things, something boomers often did out of necessity, is regaining popularity. Instead of tossing broken items, people are turning to DIY tutorials, local repair shops, and community swap events. It’s a shift away from throwaway culture and toward long-term thinking. This hands-on habit saves money and creates a satisfying sense of resourcefulness that many younger adults are now embracing.
5. Grocery Shopping with a List
The simple act of writing a grocery list is becoming trendy again. Boomers knew that lists kept spending in check and helped avoid waste. With food inflation in 2025 and rising awareness about sustainability, people are ditching spontaneous shopping and returning to planned, efficient grocery trips. It helps avoid overbuying, cuts down on food waste, and supports healthier eating. Making a list also turns shopping into a focused task rather than a chaotic grab-and-go experience. The benefits are both financial and mental.
6. Hosting Friends at Home Over Going Out
Dinner parties, game nights, and backyard barbecues are gaining ground over expensive nights out. Boomers often entertained at home, and now younger generations are following suit. Rising costs of restaurants and nightlife, along with a craving for deeper connections, are inspiring people to create meaningful gatherings in their own space. Hosting at home saves money, strengthens bonds, and offers a relaxed atmosphere that commercial venues can’t always match. It’s socializing with heart, not just hustle.
7. Reading Physical Books Again
Despite the convenience of e-readers and apps, there’s a quiet return to physical books in 2025. Boomers have always cherished the feeling of a real book in hand, and now more people are turning off their devices to enjoy screen-free reading. Physical books offer fewer distractions and help reduce eye strain and digital fatigue. Libraries and bookstores are seeing renewed interest as people look for analog escapes from online overload. This habit invites mindfulness, deeper concentration, and a more relaxed mental pace.