10 items Gen Z treats like luxury that boomers wouldn’t pay a dime for

I was talking with my nephew about his birthday wishlist when he mentioned wanting a $40 houseplant.

Not a rare orchid or anything exotic. Just a medium-sized monstera from a trendy plant shop.

My parents, who are boomers, overheard and were baffled. "It's a plant," my dad said. "You can get one at Home Depot for $8."

That moment perfectly captured the generational divide I've been noticing. Gen Z has elevated certain everyday items to luxury status, things they'll research extensively and spend significant money on.

Meanwhile, boomers see these same items as basic commodities not worth a second thought.

The gap isn't just about money or taste. It's about what each generation values, what they consider worth investing in, and what signals sophistication versus practicality.

Here are ten items Gen Z treats like luxury purchases that boomers wouldn't even consider spending extra on.

1) Specialty coffee and coffee equipment

Gen Z will spend $6 on a single oat milk latte without blinking. They invest in pour-over equipment, burr grinders, and specialty beans from specific roasters. Coffee is an experience, a daily ritual worth optimizing.

Boomers make coffee at home with a basic drip machine and Folgers. Maybe Starbucks on occasion, but regular $6 coffee feels absurd. It's caffeine delivery, not a luxury experience.

My parents genuinely cannot understand why anyone would pay craft coffee prices when you can make perfectly good coffee at home for pennies. Gen Z can't understand settling for bad coffee just to save money.

2) Skin care routines and products

Gen Z has elaborate multi-step skincare routines with serums, essences, and treatments. They follow skincare influencers, know their skin type, and invest in quality products. A good moisturizer is worth $50.

Boomers wash their face with bar soap or maybe basic moisturizer. They think the entire skincare industry is marketing hype designed to separate young people from their money.

The generational divide here is stark. Gen Z sees skincare as preventive health and self-care. Boomers see it as vanity and waste.

3) Houseplants from specialty shops

Gen Z treats houseplants like prized possessions. They'll spend $40 on a single plant from a trendy shop, research care instructions extensively, and display them as decor centerpieces.

Boomers buy plants at hardware stores if they buy them at all. Spending significant money on something you have to keep alive feels ridiculous. If the $8 plant dies, who cares? Buy another one.

My nephew's wishlist plant situation perfectly illustrates this. He wanted a specific variety from a specific shop because it came with care instructions and looked "aesthetic." My parents couldn't fathom the logic.

4) Streaming service subscriptions

Gen Z maintains multiple streaming subscriptions simultaneously. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify Premium, YouTube Premium. They're easily spending $50-80 monthly on streaming services and consider it essential.

Boomers either use one streaming service or still have cable. The idea of paying for multiple platforms feels excessive. Why pay for Spotify when radio is free? Why have Netflix and Hulu when you can just pick one?

The value proposition makes sense to Gen Z because they're consuming content constantly. To boomers, it's paying too much for entertainment they don't even have time to watch.

5) Vintage and thrifted clothing

Gen Z will pay premium prices for vintage clothing from curated thrift stores or online sellers. That 1990s windbreaker costs $60 because it's "vintage" and "unique." They see value in one-of-a-kind pieces with history.

Boomers remember when that same windbreaker was new and cost $30. Paying more for used clothing feels backwards. Why would you pay premium prices for someone else's old clothes?

The perspective flip is interesting. Gen Z sees vintage as sustainable and individual. Boomers see it as overpaying for used goods.

6) Fancy water bottles and thermoses

Gen Z treats water bottles like status symbols. Hydroflask, Stanley, Yeti. They'll spend $40-60 on an insulated bottle and carry it everywhere. The right water bottle is part of their identity.

Boomers use whatever free water bottle they got from somewhere or buy cheap plastic ones. Spending $50 on something to hold water feels insane. Water is water. Any container works.

I've watched this play out in my own life. My partner has a collection of expensive water bottles for different purposes. My parents use old plastic bottles they've refilled for years.

7) Athleisure as everyday wear

Gen Z spends serious money on athleisure brands. Lululemon leggings for $100, Alo yoga tops, Outdoor Voices. They wear this stuff daily, not just to work out, and see it as worthwhile investment.

Boomers wear actual athletic clothes to exercise and regular clothes the rest of the time. The concept of $100 leggings as everyday wear is incomprehensible. You can get perfectly functional workout clothes at Target for $20.

The quality difference exists, but boomers don't see it as worth the price premium. Gen Z sees it as essential wardrobe basics worth investing in.

8) Experiences over things

Gen Z will spend hundreds on concert tickets, festivals, or experiential dining. They prioritize memorable experiences even when money is tight. That $200 concert ticket is worth more than material possessions.

Boomers generally prefer tangible items they can keep. Spending $200 on a few hours of entertainment feels wasteful. You're left with nothing afterward except memories, which don't seem like adequate return on investment.

This might be the deepest philosophical divide. Gen Z values experiences because they're Instagram-worthy and create memories. Boomers value things because they last and have practical utility.

9) Artisanal food and small-batch products

Gen Z will pay $12 for small-batch hot sauce or $8 for artisanal bread from the farmers market. They value the story, the craftsmanship, the local sourcing. These purchases feel meaningful.

Boomers buy hot sauce and bread at the grocery store for a fraction of the price. The artisanal version doesn't taste different enough to justify the cost. Supporting local is nice, but not at triple the price.

I see this at the farmers market constantly. Gen Z shoppers treating it like a premium experience. Boomers cherry-picking specific items but mostly shopping at regular grocery stores.

10) Mental health apps and therapy

Gen Z pays for meditation apps, therapy apps, and online counseling. They'll spend $20 monthly on Headspace or $100+ on therapy sessions. Mental health is worth investing in.

Boomers are skeptical of paying for apps that teach breathing exercises or online therapy. If you need help, see a real therapist in person. Otherwise, just handle your problems like people always have.

The generational divide on mental health investment is huge. Gen Z sees it as essential maintenance. Boomers see it as something you only pursue in crisis, not something you pay for preventatively.

Conclusion

These differences aren't really about the items themselves. They're about what each generation values and how they define luxury.

Gen Z grew up in a digital, experience-focused, wellness-conscious world. They invest in quality daily experiences, self-care, and sustainability. These aren't frivolous purchases to them, they're essential life optimization.

Boomers grew up valuing practicality, durability, and getting your money's worth. Spending extra on everyday items feels wasteful when cheaper versions work fine.

Neither approach is wrong. They're just optimizing for different things. Gen Z optimizes for experience quality and personal wellbeing. Boomers optimize for practical value and financial efficiency.

But watching my nephew explain why his $40 plant was worth it while my dad shook his head will never stop being entertaining. That gap isn't closing anytime soon.