http://www.newgeography.com/content/002960-are-millennials-screwed-generation Wonderful column on the plight of the Millennials in this time of “new normal.” Worth the read. What the author doesn’t mention is that the Millennials were raised to follow agenda and rules. They have. And now this. Bitterness? You’d better believe it. How will their bitterness manifest itself in ten, fifteen, or twenty years? No one knows. It could be a whole new level of activism to change their status quo. It could be reverting to their Boomer parent’s days of “tune in, turn on, and drop out.” When confronted with this size of an uphill battle, fight… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Generations, Recession EconomyThe generation currently most likely to shop for groceries and cook at home, the Baby Boomers, will be spending less and cooking less. Meanwhile, the Boomers’ demographic replacements, the Millennials, don’t cook at home nearly as much. When they do, they are primarily interested in value (i.e., price) and convenience. That adds up to a tectonic generational shift for the grocery industry, according to a joint study by Jefferies and AlixPartners. Boomers, currently the leading grocery shoppers, are headed for retirement and fixed incomes and decreased demographic significance. They’ll be spending less when they do grocery shop, they’ll be cooking… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, BlogAccording to a University of Michigan study that tracked over 3000 Gen Xers, Gen X men are significantly more interested in food than their counterparts in older generations. These guys can cook – they prepare about 8 meals a week on average. They also spend a significant amount of time grocery shopping and consuming food related media such as cooking shows and magazines. Gen X women still cook more, preparing 10-12 meals a week. But compared to males in predecessor generations, Gen X men make up a much more receptive market for food and cooking related products and media. Part… Read More
Categories: Generations, Training IndustryMore Americans than ever are working past the age of 65, according to Labor Department statistics cited by The New York Times. As longevity and health care improves, and as the economy remains tight, more Matures, along with the leading edge of the Baby Boomers, are deciding to stay on the job. Employment among every age group above 65, including those above 75, has risen steadily. The ranks of the 65+ in the workforce swelled noticeably in the last year as the first Boomers reached the traditional retirement-age milestone. “The fact of the matter is that this aging-but-not-yet-aged segment of… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Matures, Work, WorkplaceA new Allianz survey shows that Baby Boomers think it’s more important for a family to pass on its non-material legacy than to pass on its wealth. 86% of Boomers said it was important for elders to pass on their family’s history and stories to their descendants. 64% place importance on the inheritance of family possessions. But only 9% consider a financial inheritance to be vital. The Matures, the Boomers parents, generally agree with their offspring though they place a relatively higher priority on leaving behind some wealth for their kids. In comparison with the same survey conducted in 2005,… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, MaturesBoomers are losing their expected inheritance to their parents’ longevity, according to an analysis in the Wall Street Journal. Matures who have reached their late 60s have as much as a 50-50 chance of living well into their 80s and many into their 90s. Thanks to medical and longevity gains, 85-and-over is the fastest growing age group in the nation. But thanks to that longevity, the Boomers expected inheritance is shrinking as long-lived retirees use their resources to support themselves. It’s long been estimated that over $40 trillion in inheritance would change hands in the first half of this century…. Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Matures, WorkBaby Boomers give the most positive online ratings, Gen Xers the most negative ones, and Millennials fall in the middle, according to a Bazaarvoice study of 6 million online opinions. A majority of all generations are now online and all participate in reviewing and rating products on web sites. In fact, 82% of all online reviews and ratings are positive, according to the study. Baby Boomers now make up the largest group of online reviewers at 45%. They are also the most likely to give the highest (5-star) ratings to products. Not surprisingly, Gen Xers tend to be the harshest critics… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, BlogAs the Baby Boomers near their golden years, Hollywood is right there with them. A spate of movies aimed at older demographics and featuring stars in their 50s and 60s reflects the fact that Boomers are proving to be the most reliable movie-going generation. In many ways, Boomers are the “movie generation” having grown up in an era when cinema was the premier form of entertainment. Now, nearing or in retirement, Boomers have more time and money than younger generations and still have a fondness for movies. According to the MPAA, moving going has declined among every demographic except older… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, WorkFirst there was the sandwich generation – the Boomers caught between caring for their growing kids and their aging parents. Now there’s Gen X-hausted, according to an Economist writer – Gen Xers who are crunched between maximizing their career peaks and caring for young children – an exhausting combination. The median age for professional married couples, especially professional married men, to have their first children is creeping into the mid-30s (32 for married women, 34 for married men). That means many Gen Xers are caring for young, school-age children well into their 40s, the same age range when career and… Read More
Categories: GenerationsThis week’s Grandparents’ Day is an appropriate time to notice that Baby Boomers now dominate the Grandparent demographic. According to statistics cited by Newsday, Boomers now make up a majority of grandparents. The average grandparent is a Leading Edge (Early) Boomer (64). The average new grandparent is a Late Boomer (47) The new identity of many Boomers as grandparents is important because of their involvement and commitment, financial and otherwise, in the lives of their grandchildren. Boomer grandparents spend over $35 billion annually on their grandkids. Overall, 52% of grandparents help fund their grandchildren’s educations and 45% help pay for… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers