15 Ways Life Was Tougher for Boomers

If you think life’s tough now, you are wrong. Boomers had it way harder back in the day. There was no internet, no smartphones, and definitely no food delivery apps.

But don’t feel too bad for them. Those tough times made Boomers tough cookies. They learned to fix things, talk face-to-face, and survive without Google. This article will show you 15 ways Boomers had it rough, and maybe you’ll see why they’re always going on about “the good old days.”

1. No Internet or Smartphones

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Life without the internet was like living in the Stone Age. Boomers had to use big, heavy books called encyclopedias to find information. If they needed directions, they had to use paper maps or ask strangers. Calling friends meant using a phone attached to the wall. And forget about texting – they had to actually talk to people or write letters!

2. TV Had Only a Few Channels

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Boomers didn’t have hundreds of TV channels or streaming services. Most homes only had three or four channels. If you missed your favorite show, tough luck – there was no way to record it. Kids fought over what to watch because there was usually just one TV in the house. And when the TV broke, you had to wait for someone to come fix it.

3. Music Wasn’t Always Available

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Music wasn’t at their fingertips like it is now. Boomers had to buy records or cassettes if they wanted to hear their favorite songs. If a song came on the radio, they had to be quick to record it on tape. Carrying music around meant lugging a big boombox or Walkman. And forget about playlists – they had to manually change records or flip cassettes.

4. No Air Conditioning Everywhere

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Staying cool in summer was a real challenge for Boomers. Many homes and cars didn’t have air conditioning, so they used fans, opened windows, or sat in the shade to beat the heat. Going to the movies or the mall was a treat because those places had AC. At night, they’d stick their feet out from under the covers to stay cool.

5. Clothes Were a Pain to Wash

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Doing laundry was a big chore for Boomers. Many didn’t have washing machines at home, so they had to lug heavy baskets to the laundromat. Clothes often had to be ironed, which took forever. Jeans were stiff and uncomfortable until they were worn in. And if you got a stain, you had to scrub it by hand—there were no stain-removing pens back then!

6. Cars Weren’t as Reliable

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Cars in the Boomer days broke down a lot more often. They didn’t have computers to tell what was wrong. Boomers had to learn basic car repair or pay a mechanic. Long trips meant packing tools and spare parts just in case. Cars didn’t have GPS, so getting lost was common. And forget about heated seats or backup cameras!

7. Food Options Were Limited

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Boomers didn’t have the vast variety of foods we have now. Eating “ethnic” food usually meant spaghetti or chow mein. Fresh fruits and veggies were only available in season. Fast food wasn’t as common, so most meals were cooked at home. And if you wanted a snack, you had to actually cook or bake it yourself!

8. Phones Were Stuck to the Wall

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Phone calls were a whole different game for Boomers. Phones were attached to the wall with cords. If you wanted privacy, you had to stretch the cord into another room. Long-distance calls were super expensive, so they were saved for special occasions. And if someone was using the phone, you had to wait your turn to make a call.

9. Photos Took Forever to See

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Taking pictures wasn’t instant for Boomers. They had to buy film and load it into the camera. You couldn’t see if a picture turned out well until it was developed. Getting photos developed took days and cost money. And if you wanted to share a photo, you had to get extra copies made and mail them to people.

10. School Research Was Tough

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Doing homework was much harder for Boomer kids. They had to go to the library to find information in books. Writing reports meant using a typewriter or writing by hand. They had to start over or use messy correction fluid if they made a mistake. And forget about asking the internet for help with math problems!

11. No Online Shopping

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Shopping was a real adventure for Boomers. They had to go to actual stores to buy things. If a store didn’t have what they wanted, they had to try another one. Comparing prices meant driving all over town. Clothes shopping was especially hard because you couldn’t read reviews online. And if something was out of stock, you just had to wait.

12. Entertainment Was Limited

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Boomers had to work harder for fun. Video games were simple or non-existent. Board games and cards were popular for family nights. Going to the movies was a big deal, and you had to watch whatever was playing. Kids played outside a lot more because there wasn’t much to do inside. And if you were bored, your parents would tell you to go find something to do!

13. Jobs Were Harder to Find

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Finding a job was tougher for Boomers. They had to look in newspaper ads or ask around. Applying for jobs meant typing up resumes and mailing them. Networking was done in person or by phone, not online. Many jobs required you to start at the bottom and work your way up. And changing careers was much harder without online courses.

14. Dating Was More Complicated

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Dating for Boomers was like a game of chance. There were no dating apps to help find a match. You had to meet people through friends or at social events. Asking someone out meant actually talking to them face-to-face. Planning dates involved making phone calls and setting times and places. And if you got stood up, you couldn’t just text to find out why.

15. News Came Slowly

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Staying informed was a slower process for Boomers. They had to wait for the newspaper or evening news to learn what was happening. Breaking news might not be known for hours or days. Weather forecasts weren’t as accurate, making planning trickier. And if you wanted to share news with friends, you had to call them one by one or wait to see them in person.

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Victoria Omololu

Victoria Omololu is a fashionista exploring the world on a budget. She co-founded Only Earthlings in 2023 to show her travels in North America, Europe, Africa, and everywhere else. Victoria loves writing about travel tips, itineraries, packing guides, and taking photography from all over the world.

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