15 "Old People" Advice That Millennials Call Useless and Outdated • Parent Portfolio

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When children were young, their parents taught them to respect their elders. Now that they are all grown up, Millennials and Gen Z’ers have taken their feelings to Reddit, saying, “age does not equal wisdom.” So, someone asked an online community: “What’s a piece of advice that old people like to give that is absolutely useless in 2023? Here are the top responses:

1. Do Something You Love

A Reddit user shared he recommended doing something he loves, and he will never work a day in his life. Admittedly, he said he wanted to become a park ranger. However, his father responded, “They don’t make that much money.”

2. Do Something You Can Tolerate

Another user added, “Do something you can tolerate.” So they said they did something they loved, which grew into something awful. They made no money and lost enjoyment in the thing they once loved.

3. Show Up Unannounced

There were numerous comments on this piece of advice that the community wholeheartedly didn’t believe. One Reddit user said, “My dad insists that if you show up repeatedly, unannounced, in person, you can land any job regardless of your qualifications.”

4. Work For Free

Another user shared, “Hand your resume directly to a manager. Tell them you’ll work free for a couple of days to prove how good a worker you are.”

5. Just Work Hard, And You Will Be Appreciated

Regarding advancing one’s career, other pieces of advice the community no longer found valuable were, “If you put your head down and work really hard, someday somebody will notice you. When they do, you will be successful.”

6. Be Loyal To Your Employer

Another piece of advice someone found useless was, “My grandparents keep telling me that I have to work, even if they don’t pay me. Rest is for the weak.”

7. Learn How To Use A Phone Book

One Reddit user shared that their aunt advised them to use a phone book to look things up. Their aunt reasoned that the internet might not always be there, so they should learn how to use a phone book. The user believes that if the internet were gone, the world would have more significant issues to deal with.

8. Rent Should Never Be a Majority Of Your Income

One user shared, “Your rent/mortgage should never be more than 25% of your income. If it is, you’re living beyond your means.” They said they were only making $15 an hour, about $600 a week before taxes. According to this user, he thought it was ridiculous that any rent or mortgage above $600/month would be considered living beyond one’s means.

9. Send Five Dollars If You Can’t Pay a Bill

One Reddit user shared, “If you can’t pay a bill, just send them $5. As long as you pay something the company will work with you.” Another user shared their mother told them to call the electric company, tell them the money will be late and it won’t be enough, and to tell them they’re going to be ok with that.

10. Pay For College With a Part-Time Job

A user shared their grandparents told him that they easily can pay for college with a part-time job. They pointed it out as a way to avoid student debt.

11. Buy A House As Soon As Possible

Boomers often emphasize buying a house early as a sound investment due to their experiences of benefiting from a period of significant housing appreciation and stability. They believe that property ownership builds equity over time and provides a sense of financial security, given their historical context. Additionally, the idea of homeownership has been culturally ingrained as a marker of stability and success, influencing their advice to younger generations.

12. Don’t Share Personal Information Online

Boomers tend to caution against sharing personal information online due to their upbringing in an era with less digital connectivity and greater emphasis on privacy. They view the internet as a potentially risky space, where personal details can be exploited by malicious actors or impact one’s future opportunities. Their advice is rooted in a desire to protect individuals from potential online threats and preserve a sense of personal boundaries, shaped by their experiences in a pre-digital age.

13. Meal Prep At Home To Save Money

Boomers often advise against indulging in daily expenses like avocado toast and specialty coffees, advocating for home meal preparation as a means to save money. They come from a time when frugality was prioritized, and see these small daily expenses as potentially accumulating into larger financial burdens. Their advice reflects a belief in disciplined spending and the value of home-cooked meals as a practical way to manage finances more effectively.

14. A College Degree Equals A Stable Job

Boomers commonly stress the value of a college degree as a ticket to stability and well-paying careers, stemming from an era when a degree was more likely to lead to better job prospects. They view higher education as a direct path to upward mobility and see their own experiences of success after obtaining degrees as proof of this belief. Their advice reflects the expectations and norms of their time, despite changing economic landscapes and job market dynamics that millennials might consider when evaluating the true value of a degree.

15. You Need To Dress Professionally At All Times

Boomers often emphasize dressing professionally even while working remotely due to their ingrained workplace etiquette and belief in maintaining a strong sense of professionalism. They come from a time when a certain level of formality was expected in professional settings, and they view appearance as a reflection of dedication and seriousness about one’s work. Their advice reflects their experience-driven perception that dressing professionally contributes to a productive work mindset, even in a virtual environment.