15 Life Skills People Under 40 No Longer Have

Life skills aren’t what they used to be. Gone are the days when a 20-something knew how to change a tire without Googling it first or could navigate their way out of a paper bag without a GPS. It’s as if those good old-fashioned survival skills have been traded in for the ability to filter Instagram photos to perfection. Sure, tech skills are great, but when the Wi-Fi goes out, will those under 40 be able to make it through the night without a panic attack?

And it’s not just the basics like sewing on a button (wait, who even owns a needle and thread anymore?), but also those subtle life skills that have quietly faded away, leaving a generation that’s more adept at swiping right than balancing a checkbook. So, let’s take a moment to mourn the loss of some practical skills that people under 40 just don’t seem to have anymore.

Writing in Cursive

cursive writing — Image Credit: DepositPhotos cboswell.

Remember when writing in cursive was a big deal? It was practically an art form. Nowadays, if you handed a 30-year-old a pen and asked them to write a sentence in cursive, you’d probably get a panicked look. Writing in cursive has gone the way of the dodo, replaced by typing and texting. But hey, who needs to write in a fancy script when you can just type it out, right?

Balancing a Checkbook

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Balancing a checkbook is one of those things that just screams “adulting.” Unfortunately, it’s a skill that’s become obsolete in the age of online banking and automatic bill payments. For those under 40, the closest they get to balancing anything is figuring out how to manage their streaming subscriptions.

Reading a Map

couple confused with map — Image Credit: DepositPhotos HayDmitriy.

Once upon a time, being able to read a map was a crucial skill, especially if you wanted to go on a road trip without getting hopelessly lost. But now, with GPS doing all the work, maps are just relics of the past. People under 40 probably think maps are just for decoration—or maybe a quirky piece of wall art.

Cooking from Scratch

Woman cooking in the kitchen over a pan — Image credit: Depositphotos deagreez1.

Sure, everyone knows how to make instant ramen or throw together a sandwich, but cooking from scratch? That’s a whole different ball game. Why spend hours in the kitchen when you can have food delivered in 30 minutes or less? For many under 40, the idea of making bread from scratch or even whipping up a homemade sauce is as foreign as dialing a rotary phone.

Ironing Clothes

Who has time to iron these days? With wrinkle-resistant fabrics and the magic of tumble drying, ironing has become a lost art. People under 40 are more likely to toss their clothes in the dryer for a quick de-wrinkle than to actually pull out an iron and board. And let’s be honest, “casual chic” is just an excuse for not ironing.

Writing a Letter

woman writing letter — Image Credit: Depositphotos Rawpixel.

Emails, texts, DMs—communication has never been faster or easier. But the good old-fashioned letter? That’s almost extinct. For anyone under 40, writing a letter is like sending a message in a bottle. They’ve probably never experienced the joy of receiving a handwritten note, and the thought of writing one themselves is downright exhausting.

Changing a Flat Tire

There was a time when knowing how to change a flat tire was practically a rite of passage. But now, with roadside assistance just a phone call away, why bother? People under 40 are more likely to Instagram their flat tire than to actually change it themselves. After all, that’s what AAA is for, right?

Sewing on a Button

sewing kit — Image Credit: Depositphotos akiyoko74.

Once upon a time, everyone knew how to sew on a button. It was a simple skill, but a useful one. Now? Not so much. If a button falls off, most people under 40 will just buy a new shirt. Sewing kits might as well be antique collectibles because the art of mending clothes is nearly extinct.

Sending a Fax

Fax machines might as well be ancient artifacts as far as people under 40 are concerned. The idea of sending a fax sounds about as appealing as using a carrier pigeon. Sure, they’ve probably heard of faxing, but actually doing it? That’s a whole different story. They’ll just scan and email, thank you very much.

Remembering Phone Numbers

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Remember when people used to memorize phone numbers? Those days are long gone. With smartphones doing all the work, there’s no need to remember anyone’s number—not even your own. For people under 40, the idea of dialing a number from memory is practically prehistoric.

Handwriting a Thank-You Note

Person Holding a Pencil and Writing on an Envelope

A handwritten thank-you note used to be a thoughtful way to show appreciation. But these days, a quick text or email will do the trick. For anyone under 40, writing a thank-you note by hand seems like overkill. After all, who has the time to find a pen, paper, and a stamp?

Using a Landline Phone

Landline phones are like dinosaurs—rarely seen and mostly extinct. For people under 40, the idea of using a phone that’s attached to the wall with a cord is almost laughable. Why be tethered to one spot when you can walk around with your phone and never miss a step?

Doing Mental Math

happy woman thinking sitting in the living room — Image Credit: Depositphotos deagreez1.

With calculators and smartphone apps at the ready, there’s no need to do math in your head. People under 40 are more likely to pull out their phones to calculate a tip than to figure it out mentally. Who needs math skills when you’ve got an app for that?

Navigating Without GPS

gps — Image Credit: Depositphotos Patryk_Kosmider.

GPS has made getting lost a thing of the past—or so we thought. But take away the GPS, and people under 40 are like fish out of water. The idea of navigating by landmarks or using a compass? Unthinkable. They’d rather just stay put until the GPS signal returns.

Starting a Fire Without Matches

fire Image — Image Credit: DepositPhotos bilanol.i.ua.

Survival skills like starting a fire without matches are practically nonexistent among those under 40. Why bother when you can just use a lighter or, better yet, not go camping at all? For this generation, roughing it means no Wi-Fi, not building a fire from scratch.

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tons of vintage stuff — Image Credit: Depositphotos nito103.

Step into a home, and you’re bound to find traces of different eras. Among these, there’s often something that hails from the Baby Boomer generation—a time of vibrant culture and unique aesthetics. Let’s take a fun tour through 15 of the most Boomer things you might stumble upon in homes today.

Top 15 Boomer Treasures Found in Homes Today That Could Make You Rich

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Isn’t it funny how certain things from the past seem to make a comeback and become the next big trend? As the lines between generations blur and cultural trends evolve, millennials have been rediscovering and embracing some super cool habits from the boomer era.

15 Boomer “Things” That Millenials Are Trying Out and Loving