20 Things in Decline Because Millennials Refuse to Pay For Them

Many people think Millennials aren’t great with money, but they’re actually pretty good at saving. They know it’s important to be careful with their money. Millennials are also changing how they spend. They don’t buy things like their parents did. Here are 20 things in decline because Millennials refuse to pay for them.

Shifting Diamond Preferences

Recently, a consulting agency called Bain & Co. shared that the diamond retail business isn’t growing as fast as before. Another study found that more modern brides—about eight percent—now choose engagement rings with non-precious stones, a big change from just two years ago. One reason for this is that fewer millennials are getting married. Also, American millennials earn about 20 percent less than boomers did at the same age, which might be affecting their diamond purchases.

Beer Sales Go Flat

In the U.S., beer sales decreased by one percent from 2016 to 2017. Some say this isn’t a big deal, but even small changes like this can impact the big beer companies a lot. Over ten years—from 2006 to 2016, beer lost 10 percent of its customers to hard liquor and wine. This shows that millennials see beer differently now.

Housing Market Shifts

Many millennials still dream of owning a home—nine out of 10 want one. But the problem is, they can’t afford it. It might be a while before they can buy homes. The economic downturn has made things hard for this new generation. It’s very tough for those who just started working to get loans. That’s why most millennials are renting instead of buying.

Napkins on the Decline

Many industry experts blame millennials for hurting the napkin industry. A study mentioned by the Washington Post found that only 56 percent of people surveyed bought napkins in the last six months, while 86 percent bought paper towels. Paper towels might seem less fancy, but millennials care more about convenience than formality.

Farewell to Formal Dress Codes

A survey revealed that 40 percent of millennials see Mark Zuckerberg, who’s known for his casual style of hoodies and jeans, as their business role model. Millennials are bringing changes to the workplace, and it’s making things better for everyone. Ironically, now people might still judge you based on your clothes, but instead of being formal, it’s all about how ‘cool’ you are.

Casual Dining Gets the Cold Shoulder

Just because millennials dress casually for dinner doesn’t mean they prefer eating at casual dining chains. With many other choices available—like faster, healthier options or meals delivered to your door—people are choosing to eat elsewhere. Millennials cook at home more often because they’re on a budget and want better ingredients like organic and non-GMO. They also like convenience and supporting local independent businesses.

Cereal Bowls Empty

Nearly 40 percent of millennials in a Mintel survey said they find cereal inconvenient for breakfast because it makes a mess they have to clean up. Instead, they prefer quick and easy options they can eat on the move, like fast-food breakfasts or yogurt. Even though more Americans are eating breakfast now, cereal sales dropped by five percent between 2009 and 2014.

Cable TV Switches Off

Millennials don’t bother with flipping through tons of TV channels anymore. They prefer on-demand content and picking what they want to watch when they want to watch it. Most millennial homes have services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video for entertainment. These online platforms are their top choices because they’re convenient and offer good value. 

Alarm Clocks Lose Their Ring

Thanks to smartphones, millennials don’t see the need for standalone alarm clocks anymore. Why have a separate clock when your phone can do it all—wake you up, show the time, and even manage your calendar? Plus, devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo wake you up to weather updates and control home lights, making mornings easier and more convenient.

Doorbells Go Silent

Millennials are changing how we answer the door. Unlike Boomers, they’re not big on traditional doorbells. Especially in cities or shared housing, you won’t find many millennials using them. Instead, they prefer calling or texting before visiting. Plus, with devices like Ring and Nest, they can see who’s at the door, talk to them, and even unlock it from their phone—making things safer and more convenient.

Books Take a Digital Turn

You’ll notice fewer people flipping through physical books and more scrolling on Kindles these days. Millennials have yet to completely stop buying books, but they’re changing how they read. Many prefer digital versions because they’re more convenient and save space. E-books and audiobooks, thanks to devices like Kindle and apps like Audible, have become really popular among millennials.

Toothbrushes Go Electric

Millennials are switching from regular toothbrushes to electric ones—showing their interest in high-tech personal care. Studies suggest they use electric toothbrushes more to fight oral problems. While manual brushes have been common for years, worries about how well they clean are changing habits. Electric toothbrushes, along with eco-friendly options, are gaining popularity. They’re seen as better at cleaning and a good investment for oral health.

Postcards Fade Away

You won’t catch many millennials at the post office sending postcards on vacation anymore. In today’s digital world, traditional postcards aren’t as popular among them. Social media and email make it easy to share experiences instantly—replacing the old tradition of sending postcards. Now, sharing photos online is the modern way of keeping others updated on your travels.

Old-School Tech Collects Dust

You probably won’t see many millennials buying digital cameras unless they’re pros. They prefer using smartphones for everything—no need for separate gadgets like calculators or music players. Smartphones have replaced all these old devices because they’re convenient and allow you to do everything in one place. For millennials, it’s about having everything they need in one device, which saves money and hassle.

Advertising Loses its Appeal

Millennials don’t pay much attention to regular ads. They trust recommendations from school friends and social media influencers more. They’ve grown up with digital marketing, so they’re not impressed by TV or print ads. To connect with them—brands have to use social media platforms, work with famous influencers, and make content that feels real and relatable.

Fast Fashion Fades

Millennials are flipping the script on fast fashion, leaning towards brands that care about the planet and people. They’re all about transparency, sustainability, and fair labor practices. And it’s not just talk—more of them are hitting up thrift stores, embracing second-hand finds, or giving clothing rental services a whirl. It’s like they’re rewriting the fashion narrative, one conscious choice at a time.

Physical Media Packs Up

Millennials don’t just prefer digital books—they’re also choosing digital movies, music, and games over physical discs. This change shows they like things that are easy, save space, and help the environment by reducing waste. Apps like Apple Music, Spotify, and Steam are where they go for fun stuff now, making DVDs, CDs, and game cartridges less popular.

Investments on Hold

Experts say young investors should put most of their money—like 75 to 90 percent, into stocks. However, many millennials who remember the Great Recession are keeping their money at home instead of investing in stocks. In a survey of 1,500 adults aged 22 to 32, about 52 percent said they didn’t trust the stock market for their retirement savings.

Landline Phones at Home

The mobile phone is no longer just a phone. Millennials use their phone to call, text, access the internet, play, listen to music, meditate, work, maintain to-do lists, and use many apps. A separate home landline is just impractical. They like mobility and constant connectivity instead. As a result, traditional landlines are rapidly falling out of favor.

Department Stores

Who needs department stores when you can shop anywhere in the world, sitting anywhere else in the world and have it delivered to your doorstep! E-commerce has made shopping not only extremely convenient but also completely personalized. Millennials value the unique and curated. This too has pushed them away from the generic and overpriced offerings of a department store towards small businesses and online boutiques. No wonder many big department stores are closing down.