Boomers mocked online for their take on the cost of living crisis
Generations have gone head to head in a 'boomer math' spin off of the 'girl math' trend.
Younger generations have come out in the thousands to poke fun at boomers for the logic they use against other generations' spending habits.
Content creator, Lyndsey Chachki, kicked off the roasting with a video, calling out boomers for blaming younger people's cost of living struggles on their "frivolous spending" and "laziness".
Lyndsey calls these stereotypical sentiments 'boomer math', which is a spin off the viral 'girl math' trend — where women admit to using certain justifications to excuse "irresponsible" spending.
"I've seen girl math, boy math, white math, gay math — I bring you boomer math," she started off saying in the video posted to social media app TikTok.
Finance expert and Canstar's Editor-at-large, Effie Zahos told Yahoo News Australia that while some of the many examples shared by Lyndsey and people in the comments are fair, other advice from boomers may have some merit.
"There's a lot we can learn from each generation. A lot can be learned from an older wiser person but as the world begins to change and develop and there's a lot to learn from young generations to," she said.
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Younger generations are 'lazy' according to some
"Boomer math is saying ‘no one wants to work anymore' and being the last generation that will ever retire," Lyndsey shared as her first example.
This idea that younger generations are lazy and never want to work is something Effie doesn't agree with at all. "Gen Z and Millennials are more vocal with what they want to do and smarter with how they work," she said.
"The employee landscape has changed considerably and people know their self worth. The younger generations don't want to work in that old work establishment — which doesn't work anymore anyway".
Boomer math's take on home ownership
"Boomer math is buying a house 40 years ago for a hay penny and a ham sandwich, and now having a million dollar home," Lyndsey continues in her video which hundreds of commenters agreed with, sharing their own examples.
"My elderly neighbour told me that she bought her house with a $50 note and an IOU," shared one commenter.
Effie confirmed how much harder it is for younger generations in Australia to buy a home than it was for baby boomers.
"Though [interest] rates were ridiculous, property value was no where near as big. The average dwelling value in Sydney is now eight to nine times the average salary," she said.
Do you have a story about something you've seen or shared on social media? Contact reporter Laura Koefoed at laura.koefoed@yahooinc.com
Buying coffee and avocado toast, and other 'frivolous' spending
A resounding sigh of despair reverberated through the comment section as Lyndsey brought up her next example.
"Boomer math is thinking making your coffee at home is the key to financial security," she said.
"Y’all I make avocado toast and drink coffee at home and I’m still broke," responded one commenter.
"My fiancée and I have made our coffee at home for years, we always ask each other why we aren’t millionaires yet," said another.
"I have a $12 glass food storage bowl set. I was "informed" that frivolous spending is why I don't have a house," shared a third person.
Though buying coffee won't necessarily send a person broke, Effie points out that there is a "golden rule" to remember when it comes to personal finances: Save little, save often. As an example, a $4.50 coffee every day amounts to $65,700 over 40 years, without taking into account inflation.
"Small amounts really do work up to big amounts," she said.
There is also some merit to the idea that splurging can impact your ability to save in certain circumstances where it's a habit or when you don't have the income to substantiate it.
"There's more to money than dollars and cents and tough there's nothing wrong with the occasional splurge you must ask yourself, is this behaviour a habit you have?" Effie continued.
"It's all about balance and moderation".
Most reactions scathing of boomers
Many shared their own examples of what the boomers in their own lives have said to them.
"Boomer math is thinking the way you did things is still the best way to do them, regardless of updated and current research," one person shared, summing up the conversation.
Among all the comments, there was only one that tried to defend the older generations, coming back at millennials.
"Millennial math is 'I want everything the boomers have, but don’t want to make the sacrifices they did'", a sole person said, sparking hundreds of responses and a battle of words between all the generations.
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