Alright, Gen Xers, it’s time to give ourselves some credit. We’re the generation that grew up with hand-me-downs, learned to fix things with duct tape, and survived without the internet telling us what to buy or who to be. Saving money? That’s practically in our DNA.
If you’re ready to crush your money goals and still enjoy life, here’s why we’re uniquely qualified to make it happen—and how to do it without feeling like we’re living in deprivation!
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1. We Grew Up Before Everything Cost a Fortune
Remember when $5 could buy you a Happy Meal and a trip to the arcade? Yeah, those were the days. We grew up before avocado toast became a personality trait and before coffee cost more than a tank of gas (when tanks were tiny, sure, but still). This means we inherently know how to spot a good deal and stretch a dollar.
Gen X Superpower: Skip the trends and focus on what really matters. Want to save money? Channel your inner kid and remember that simple pleasures—like hanging out at the mall parking lot—don’t have to cost a dime.
2. Social Media Didn’t Tell Us What We Should Want
Back in the day, we didn’t have Instagram influencers convincing us that we needed a $400 blender to make smoothies. Nope, we had no idea what other people were doing unless we actually called them on the phone (and yes, we survived). This blissful ignorance saved us from the constant comparison trap that makes modern-day spending so much worse.
Gen X Pro Tip: Embrace your social media-free roots. Turn off the TikTok FOMO and focus on your goals instead of trying to keep up with people you don’t even like!
3. Our Grandparents Were Frugal Legends
Raise your hand if your grandparents had a coffee can full of cash hidden somewhere in their house. These were the people who survived the Great Depression, patched clothes instead of tossing them, and knew how to make a full meal out of pantry scraps. Guess what? They passed those skills down to us.
Gen X Superpower: Channel your grandparents’ wisdom. Sew that button back on, make a casserole from leftovers, and remember that saving money isn’t just smart—it’s a way to honor their legacy.
4. We Survived the Chaos of the 1970s
You think inflation is bad now? We lived through the 1970s, when the economy took a nosedive, everyone’s parents got laid off, and gas lines wrapped around the block. Remember odd-even gas rationing based on license plate numbers? We do. That was character-building stuff.
Gen X Pro Tip: Use your resilience to weather financial challenges. Skip the panic and focus on strategies that work, like budgeting, meal planning, and buying only what you need (hello, 1970s thrift culture).
5. “Buy American” Actually Meant Something to Us
Before global outsourcing became the norm, “Buy American” was more than just a slogan—it was a way of life. Supporting local businesses and investing in quality over quantity was how we rolled. And guess what? It’s still a great way to save money in the long run!
Gen X Superpower: Prioritize quality over convenience. Buy fewer, better things, and support local businesses whenever possible. Bonus: It feels good to know your money is going to people who actually appreciate it.
How to Crush Your Money Goals (the Gen X Way)
- Revisit Old-School Budgeting: Skip the fancy apps and go analog. A notebook, a pen, and some good ol’ math will do the trick.
- DIY Like a Pro: Need something fixed? Learn how to do it yourself. YouTube is basically the library we wished we had in 1988.
- Focus on Experiences: Remember how much fun we had doing nothing? Bring that vibe back—host game nights, potlucks, or free outings instead of expensive dinners.
- Use Cash When You Can: Grandma’s coffee can method still works. Put cash aside for specific goals and watch it grow.
- Practice Gratitude: One thing Gen Xers do well is appreciate the little things. Gratitude keeps you grounded and makes you less likely to splurge on things you don’t need.
Here is my all time favorite frugality book from back in the day! Wash that aluminum foil to save money!
Final Thoughts
Gen X, we’ve got this. Saving money isn’t about deprivation—it’s about remembering where we came from, staying true to what matters, and putting those old-school lessons into action. So go ahead, crush those money goals, and show the world what a thrifty, scrappy, and resilient generation can do.
Now, who’s ready to dig out their 1970s-style budgeting skills and make it rain (in the savings account, of course)? Let’s hear your best Gen X money-saving tips in the comments!
