Boomers Boost the Economy

A trip to the grocery store, gas station, or favorite restaurant and today’s economic reality cannot be ignored: prices seem to rise daily. And my generation – the baby boomers – has been hard-hit. Many folks will not wholly recover assets lost during the Great Recession and recent skyrocketing inflation. 

But boomers are an optimistic lot. Not all of us, of course, but many of us. We may not enjoy the affluence dreamed of years ago, but we are Americans. And that means we are consumers. 

We buy stuff.

Our parents endured penny-pinching circumstances growing up during the Depression, but many thrived during the post-war years and attained that elusive but powerful thing – disposable $$. Our generation enjoyed our parents’ prosperity. We have been consumers ever since buying our first 45s, fast food, and the latest fashion items.

We continue to fuel the economy. 

We saved for a rainy day, our kids’ education, for retirement. But at some point in our lives, often when retiring, we decide that enough is enough – time to enjoy life and begin to fritter away our nest egg.

So we travel, eat out, decorate and renovate our homes. We indulge our kids and grandkids. We spend oodles of money on health-related products such as vitamins, drugs, medicines, medical care, and paraphernalia that will (supposedly) keep us healthy and young. 

We are economic powerhouses.

Boomers inadvertently became saviors for companies whose businesses would have declined, and possibly failed, without us.

Walk into a restaurant during breakfast and lunch hours on weekdays, and the majority of patrons are seniors. Tourist destinations have extended seasons beyond the traditional high season because seniors can travel anytime and love to take advantage of lower off-season prices. 

Paper manufacturing is one industry that has benefited from an aging population. As society digitized the demand for paper products decreased. Sales slid and profits plummeted. Companies sought new products and new buyers.

And we – the boomer generation – came to the rescue!

Healthier than previous generations, boomers still succumb to age-related maladies. The use of one particular item is on the upswing and the salvation of paper companies.

Adult diapers

And none of them, or very, very few, are the cloth kind. Disposables rule.

Not every senior, or even a majority of seniors, requires this product. But a tiny minority use diapers daily. Ka-ching, ka-ching. Diapers are not just for babies anymore!

Yup, incontinence – defined as “leaking urine you can’t control” – is a significant health issue, and incontinence merchandise a growing market. One-quarter to one-third of adults suffer some degree of incontinence. The good news is that today diapers are not as big, bulky, or uncomfortable as older products.

Diapers are one of countless items boomers buy regularly. There are so many ways we boost the economy!

Boomers rock! And pee. Often.