Work, Wealth & WTF
The Great Millennial vs. Boomer Value Clash: Work, Wealth & WTF
I caught up with my dad recently, and let’s just say I didn’t get a standing ovation for my work on In Good Nic. In fact, he hit me with some classic dad energy:
“You don’t even know who your local MP is?” (Fair, but also… does everyone?)
“You don’t have many followers.” (Cheers for the support, Dad.)
“It’s just your mates engaging with your stuff.” (Okay, true—but does it really matter if you’re actually helping people?)
This conversation reminded me just how differently boomers and millennials think about work, success, and the whole idea of doing something meaningful. And it’s not just my dad—it’s a generational divide that plays out everywhere, from politics to workplaces to those family dinners where there’s always a topic you’re better off avoiding.
Here’s where I see the obvious clashes—not saying one is right and one is wrong, just that they’re different.
Work: ‘Hard Yakka’ vs. ‘Work-Life Balance’
Boomers grew up believing that success = hard work + loyalty to a company + financial security. Millennials? We’ve seen how that formula doesn’t always pan out.
Boomers call it slacking off. Millennials call it setting boundaries. We’re not anti-work—we just don’t think our jobs should own our lives. We’ve watched people dedicate decades to a job only to be laid off in a restructuring, or burn themselves out while their personal lives fall apart.
🚨 The value shift: Work no longer defines who we are, and wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about time, freedom, and wellbeing.
Wealth: Property Ladders vs. Rent Snakes
The amount of times I’ve had this debate with a boomer is ridiculous. And I get it—they want us to acknowledge that they worked hard, that they took risks, that mortgage rates were sky-high. But let’s be real:
House prices have increased 400%.
Wages? Not so much. And i wont even mention the student debt.
Millennials are redefining wealth—not because we don’t want financial security, but because the old wealth-building paths (buy a home, climb the corporate ladder, retire comfortably) are increasingly out of reach. Instead, we invest in experiences, travel, and—yes—sustainability. Because what’s the point of money if the planet is unlivable?
🚨 The value shift: The traditional definition of success doesn’t apply when the system itself has changed.
🗞️ Communication: Newspapers vs. TikTok
Boomers grew up with traditional media—newspapers, radio, and TV news at 6 pm. These sources were considered trustworthy, fact-checked, and authoritative. If it wasn’t in the paper, did it even happen?
Millennials? We’ve never needed to buy a newspaper. We get news through social media, podcasts, and independent sources, where information is instant, algorithm-driven, and often more aligned with our values. But with that comes misinformation, filter bubbles, and the risk of never hearing opposing views.
🚨 The value shift: We’re consuming completely different realities. Boomers might dismiss social media as unreliable, while millennials see mainstream media as outdated and biased. But both can be flawed. If we actually want to understand each other, we need to question where we’re getting our ‘truth’ from—and be open to perspectives outside our own feed.
So… Wtf can we do?
This isn’t about who’s right or wrong—it’s about the fact that our world is changing, and so should our mindset. Empathy can be our biggest allie here.
Boomers: Try to understand why millennials are questioning the old models of work, wealth, and power.
Millennials: Maybe we could learn a thing or two from the boomer work ethic (minus the burnout), and reframing gratification away from instantaneous.
Everyone: Let’s actually listen to each other instead of just rolling our eyes at the dinner table.
At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make sense of the mess we’ve inherited and find a way forward. And if we could bridge this gap? Maybe—just maybe—Dad will finally be impressed with ingoodnic.
(PS: Help me out—send this to someone who isn’t my mate. Cheers.)
(PPS: Sorry to leave out Gen X, you guys are like a middle child, often forgotten, but still great.)
