8 things boomers still pay full price for that everyone else gets discounted or free

Remember the day I helped my parents clean out their filing cabinet? Between decades-old tax returns and faded receipts, I found a stack of newspaper clippings. Not family photos or important documents, but actual newspaper articles they'd physically cut out and saved. Travel tips, recipes, product reviews. That's when it hit me: my parents were still paying for information that I get free online every single day.

After nearly two decades as a financial analyst, I've developed a pretty keen eye for spending patterns. And lately, I've noticed something fascinating about generational differences in how we approach value and pricing. While younger generations have become masters at finding deals, discounts, and free alternatives, many boomers continue paying full price for things the rest of us wouldn't dream of buying without a coupon code or promo.

This isn't about being cheap or criticizing anyone's spending choices. It's about recognizing how dramatically the marketplace has shifted and how different generations have adapted (or haven't) to these changes. The truth is, many boomers are leaving money on the table simply because they're following purchasing habits formed decades ago.

Let me walk you through eight areas where this pattern shows up most clearly.

1. Cable television packages

I still remember visiting my parents last year and watching them flip through 500+ channels, complaining there was nothing good on. Their cable bill? Over $200 a month. Meanwhile, I'm streaming everything I want to watch for less than $30 total across a few platforms.

The loyalty many boomers show to their cable providers is almost touching, if it weren't so expensive. They've been customers for decades, yet they're often paying the highest rates because they haven't called to negotiate or threatened to cancel. Cable companies know this demographic is less likely to cut the cord, so they keep those prices high.

Here's what younger folks know: threatening to cancel gets you transferred to the retention department where the real deals live. Or better yet, they've ditched cable entirely for streaming services that cost a fraction of the price. Some even rotate subscriptions monthly, only paying for what they're actively watching.

2. Newspaper and magazine subscriptions

Those newspaper clippings I found at my parents' house? They're still paying for daily newspaper delivery. Physical newspapers. In 2024.

While there's something romantic about the morning paper with coffee, most of that same content is available online for free or through digital subscriptions at a fraction of the cost. Many major publications offer free articles each month, and library cards often provide complimentary digital access to newspapers and magazines.

Yet many boomers continue their print subscriptions out of habit, paying premium prices for information that's freely accessible with a quick Google search or through aggregator apps.

3. Banking fees

During my years in finance, I watched countless clients, particularly older ones, pay monthly maintenance fees, ATM charges, and overdraft fees without question. They'd been with the same bank for 30 years and never thought to ask if there was a better option.

Meanwhile, online banks and credit unions offer free checking, reimburse ATM fees, and provide higher interest rates on savings. Younger generations hop between banks chasing sign-up bonuses and better perks without a second thought. But for many boomers, switching banks feels like betraying an old friend.

The irony? Their loyalty isn't even rewarded. Long-time customers often get the worst deals because banks know they're unlikely to leave.

4. Full-price airline tickets

I recently helped my mom book a flight, and she went straight to the airline's website, picked her dates, and was ready to pay full price. No comparison shopping, no checking for deals, no flexible date searches.

This approach might have made sense when travel agents handled everything, but now? There are countless tools for finding cheaper flights. Browser extensions that automatically apply coupon codes, websites that predict price drops, apps that alert you to mistake fares. Not to mention the basic strategy of clearing cookies or using incognito mode to avoid dynamic pricing.

Many younger travelers also know the tricks: flying mid-week, checking budget airlines, using points and miles strategically. But boomers often stick with the same airline they've always used, booking directly and paying whatever price appears.

5. Brand-name medications

Here's something I learned while helping my parents manage their healthcare costs: they were paying significantly more for brand-name medications when identical generics were available. Their reason? "The doctor prescribed this specific brand."

What they didn't realize is that doctors often default to brand names out of habit, but pharmacists can usually substitute generics unless specifically instructed not to. Apps like GoodRx can slash prescription costs even further, sometimes making medications cheaper without insurance than with it.

Younger folks tend to question these costs, shop around between pharmacies, and use discount programs. But many boomers trust that if the doctor wrote it and insurance covers part of it, that must be the best deal available.

6. Software and apps

Watching my dad pay full price for Microsoft Office physically hurt me. There are so many free alternatives like Google Docs or LibreOffice that do everything most people need. But he wanted "the real thing" because that's what he's always used.

This extends beyond office software. Antivirus programs, photo editing tools, PDF converters, so many services that boomers pay for have free alternatives that work just as well. Younger users know to look for open-source options, free trials, or web-based tools before pulling out their credit cards.

The generational divide here is stark. While millennials and Gen Z grew up in the era of free apps and freemium models, boomers formed their software habits when you bought a box at the store and installed it from a CD.

7. Extended warranties

In my finance days, I analyzed the numbers on extended warranties. Spoiler alert: they're almost never worth it. The odds of needing them are low, and when you do, the coverage is often full of exclusions.

Yet boomers buy them consistently, especially on appliances and electronics. They remember when things were built to last and repairs were common and affordable. Today's products are often cheaper to replace than repair, and credit cards frequently offer extended warranty protection for free.

Younger consumers have figured this out. They skip the warranty, knowing their credit card has them covered or that they'll probably upgrade before anything breaks anyway.

8. Travel insurance from the airline or cruise line

The last time I traveled with my parents, they automatically added the travel insurance offered at checkout. No comparison shopping, no reading the fine print, just click and add.

What they didn't know is that third-party travel insurance is often cheaper and provides better coverage. Credit cards might already include travel protection. And for many domestic trips, travel insurance is unnecessary altogether.

But there's a trust factor here. Boomers often believe that buying insurance directly from the travel provider means better service if something goes wrong. They don't realize they're paying a premium for this perceived convenience.

Final thoughts

After years of observing these patterns, both professionally and personally, I've realized this isn't really about being tech-savvy or cheap. It's about different relationships with money, loyalty, and trust.

Boomers grew up in an era when customer loyalty was rewarded, when you could trust institutions, when paying full price meant getting quality. Those days are largely gone, replaced by a marketplace that rewards comparison shopping, negotiation, and constantly switching providers.

Is it fair? Probably not. Should companies reward loyal customers instead of constantly chasing new ones? Absolutely. But until that changes, those who adapt to the new rules save money, while those who play by the old rules pay for everyone else's discounts.

The good news? It's never too late to change these habits. Every boomer I've helped discover these savings opportunities has the same reaction: amazement at how much money they've been leaving on the table, followed by determination to never overpay again.

What patterns have you noticed in your own spending or that of people around you?