What we cling to in our shopping habits often says more about our relationship with time than it does about the things themselves.
Every generation has its quirks, right?
The music, the slang, even the shopping habits—they all reflect the era people grew up in. But here’s the funny thing: some buying choices don’t quite move with the times.
For people in their 60s, certain purchases can make them seem like they’re clinging to the past, even if that’s not the intention. And I’m not talking about comfort items or nostalgic keepsakes—those are treasures. I’m talking about the things that quietly scream “I’m still shopping like it’s 1987.”
Let’s break them down.
1. Cable TV packages
Do you know anyone who still shells out hundreds of dollars a month for cable when streaming services offer more variety for less?
For many in their 60s, cable represents reliability and familiarity. They know the channels, they know the remote, and that’s comforting. The predictability of flipping through a TV guide can feel easier than scrolling endlessly through Netflix menus.
But from the outside, it can look outdated—especially when younger generations have ditched the cable box entirely in favor of smart TVs and apps.
The irony? Many of those streaming services actually give better control and fewer commercials. Media researcher Amanda Lotz has noted that “television has shifted from being a push medium to a pull medium—viewers now expect control.” For those sticking with cable, it signals they haven’t embraced that shift.
2. Checkbooks
I’ll admit—I still own a checkbook. But I can’t remember the last time I used it.
Plenty of people in their 60s still pull out a paper check at the grocery store or to pay bills. It’s a tangible, old-school way of handling money that once symbolized adulthood and responsibility. Writing checks used to be almost ceremonial—sitting at the kitchen table, balancing the checkbook, double-checking the math.
These days, though, it often causes sighs in checkout lines or confusion when younger clerks have no idea where the check gets signed off.
Digital banking, Venmo, and tap-to-pay are the norm now. Holding on to the checkbook doesn’t mean someone is behind—it just gives off that “stuck in time” vibe because the world has moved on.
The bigger question is this: is it about security or habit? Many people who stick with checks will tell you they don’t fully trust digital transactions. That makes sense given the rise of fraud—but it also highlights a gap between perception and reality in how safe technology has become.
3. Landline phones
“Can you call me back on my home phone?” is a sentence you don’t hear much anymore—unless you’re talking to someone in their 60s.
Landlines used to be the centerpiece of every household. Entire families gathered around cordless handsets, and voicemail machines captured every message with a blinking red light. Some even still have rotary phones tucked away in guest bedrooms.
Today, though, most people live entirely on their cell phones.
Maintaining a landline can make someone appear frozen in the past. Sure, it’s reliable during power outages and has a comforting familiarity. But it also feels like hanging on to something the rest of the world has quietly let go of.
Sociologist Claude Fischer once said, “The telephone has always been about more than communication—it’s about connection to a social world.” For many in their 60s, the landline represents a social comfort zone that’s hard to leave behind.
4. Newspaper subscriptions
I love the smell of newspaper ink. There’s something grounding about spreading out the morning paper with a cup of coffee.
But let’s face it—most people now scroll headlines on their phones before they even get out of bed. Buying a physical newspaper every morning can look quaint, even charming, but also a little outdated.
This isn’t about whether newspapers have value (they absolutely do). It’s more about perception. In an age of instant news alerts, waiting for tomorrow’s print edition can make someone seem out of sync with the times.
There’s also the environmental factor. Bundles of newspapers piling up in recycling bins hint at habits formed when print was king. Now, the same readers could customize their news feeds without clutter.
Still, I understand the appeal. Reading a physical newspaper slows you down. It forces focus, unlike doomscrolling on a phone. Maybe the real problem isn’t that it’s outdated—but that it looks that way.
5. Travel agents
Do you remember the days of walking into a travel agency to book a vacation? Brochures lined the walls, and agents pieced together flights, hotels, and tours for you.
Many in their 60s still lean on this model. They trust an expert to handle the details, even when apps and websites now give travelers the power to plan everything from their couch.
Booking through a travel agent isn’t bad—sometimes it’s even smart for complicated trips. Agents can unlock deals and insider experiences that websites don’t show.
But to others, it can look like resisting the independence and flexibility modern tools offer. It’s one of those purchases that whispers, “I haven’t updated how I plan my adventures in decades.”
And here’s the kicker: younger generations often love the DIY approach. They see trip planning as part of the fun. So when someone hires an agent for every vacation, it can highlight a generational divide in what travel means.
6. Encyclopedias and reference books
When I was a kid, our family saved up to buy a set of encyclopedias. They took up an entire shelf, and flipping through them felt like magic.
Fast forward to today, and nearly all that information is available online—faster, updated, and free. Yet some people in their 60s still buy or keep these collections, sometimes even gifting them to grandchildren.
It comes from a good place: wanting to pass down knowledge. But with the rise of digital research tools, encyclopedias now feel like relics. Beautiful relics, yes—but relics nonetheless.
Education expert Diane Ravitch once noted that “knowledge is not fixed; it changes with new discoveries.” That’s the problem with physical encyclopedias. They’re snapshots of a moment in time, while today’s learners expect living, evolving sources.
7. Department store cosmetics
Here’s a scene I’ve watched play out more than once: a woman in her 60s heading straight for the Estée Lauder or Clinique counter at a department store, while younger shoppers zip past to Sephora or order online.
For decades, those department store counters were the gold standard. They offered prestige, loyalty perks, and the comfort of a familiar brand. Women bonded with the sales associates who helped them pick shades and skincare routines.
But today, with indie beauty companies, clean skincare lines, and influencer-backed launches everywhere, sticking to department store staples can come across as refusing to branch out.
It’s not about the quality—the products are fine. It’s about the signal that shopping habits never evolved with the industry.
It reminds me of something a friend’s mom once said when she was asked why she never switched brands: “Why would I? It’s worked for me for 30 years.” And that’s the heart of it—loyalty can look like stubbornness when the market moves forward.
8. Patterned china sets
Do you know anyone who still buys full dishware sets with gold trim or floral patterns?
Many people in their 60s grew up seeing “good china” as a symbol of status and hospitality. It was what you brought out for holidays and what you passed down through generations.
Now, though, younger generations lean toward minimalist styles, mismatched pottery, or practical everyday plates. To them, ornate china feels like something stuck in grandma’s dining room rather than a modern kitchen. Buying it today can look like clinging to an old idea of what “elegance” means.
But there’s also a deeper layer here. China wasn’t just about dishes—it was about identity. It symbolized permanence, tradition, and “having arrived.” When people still buy it, it’s less about being outdated and more about holding on to that identity.
The catch? Culture has shifted. Permanence doesn’t define success anymore—flexibility does. And ornate china feels out of step with that reality.
9. DVDs and Blu-rays
Streaming has replaced the video rental store, but some people in their 60s still buy physical discs for their favorite movies.
On one hand, it makes sense—there’s comfort in owning something tangible, not relying on shifting digital catalogs. Anyone who’s searched for a favorite movie only to find it’s been removed from Netflix can appreciate that.
On the other hand, shelves stacked with DVDs can look like a time capsule. It’s not just about the movies—it’s about the storage, the clutter, the ritual of popping in a disc.
It’s not wrong. Collecting movies can be a hobby. But when the rest of the world has moved to digital, those stacks of discs send the message that technology left someone behind.
Final thoughts
Here’s the truth: none of these purchases are inherently bad. Many of them are comforting, practical, or nostalgic. But they do create an impression—that someone is holding on to an earlier era rather than stepping into the new one.
And isn’t that the fascinating thing about human behavior? Our shopping habits don’t just reflect what we need—they reveal what we value, what feels safe, and sometimes, what we’re afraid to let go of.
If you’re in your 60s and still buying some of these things, that’s okay. The point isn’t to shame anyone—it’s to spark reflection. What habits are you keeping out of genuine choice, and which ones are just autopilot from another decade?
Because here’s the secret: updating even small buying decisions can be a subtle but powerful way of signaling that you’re adaptable, curious, and still engaged with the present moment.
And that’s timeless.
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