The Greatest Generation learned many things the hard way because they lived through many difficult historical events. They had a lot to say about saving money and working hard, which they constantly told baby boomers about. Let’s look at 18 pieces of advice the Greatest Generation repeated to baby boomers and why it was so useful.
Take Pride in Your Country
After fighting in World War II, the Greatest Generation took national pride seriously. They’d tell baby boomers, “Take pride in your country,” because they thought it was important for them to honor American freedoms. They felt lucky and wanted younger generations to respect their country, too.
Stay True to Your Word
If someone from the Greatest Generation gave their word, that was it. Period. They believed your word was your bond, so they told baby boomers, “Stay true to your word.” To them, being trustworthy was just as important as being smart, so they wanted boomers to act the same way.
Keep Your House in Order
“Keep your house in order” wasn’t just advice for tidying your living room. The Greatest Generation told baby boomers this in the hopes that they’d keep their finances in check and not let things get out of control. They understood that having a cluttered house usually meant you’d have a cluttered mind, too.
Listen More Than You Speak
The Greatest Generation took listening seriously and told baby boomers, “Listen more than you speak.” They wanted them to understand that silence is golden and that the younger generations shouldn’t simply rush to fill it with their own opinion. After all, that’s some pretty solid advice.
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
Since they had lived through awful times like the Great Depression, the Greatest Generation wanted baby boomers to stay grounded, so they told them, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” They knew first-hand just how unpredictable life could be, so they taught boomers to plan with a clear head. This advice was important for every part of their lives.
A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned
Similarly, they also told baby boomers, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” to make them smarter with their money. Why waste your dollars when you can save for something later? This generation truly knew the value of each dollar, which came from their experience of dealing with so many economic problems in the past.
Keep a Balanced Budget
The Greatest Generation really believed in budgeting and often told boomers, “Keep a balanced budget.” This way, they’d never spend more than they earned or end up in too much debt. This generation saw people go broke overnight during the Great Depression, so it’s no wonder they wanted their kids to have a good budget.
Stand up for What You Believe in
The Greatest Generation was certainly no stranger to standing up for their beliefs by fighting in wars or standing on picket lines. They taught baby boomers to “stand up for what you believe in” so they’d do the same. Instead of just being bystanders, they wanted this younger generation to defend their values, even when it was difficult.
Treat Others How You Want to Be Treated
There’s a reason “treat others how you want to be treated” is the golden rule, and it’s mostly thanks to the Greatest Generation. Empathy and kindness were pretty important for them, so they taught boomers that how you treat people really matters. They’d seen how hard life could get and didn’t want anyone else to be in the same situation.
Never Stop Learning
Life never stops teaching, so the Greatest Generation told boomers, “never stop learning.“ They believed that there was always a chance to learn something new, no matter how old you were or your stage in life. They knew things were always changing, but perhaps not to the scale they eventually did.
Work Before Play
The Greatest Generation’s motto was “work before play,” meaning you got all your chores and homework done before you even thought about doing something fun. They taught boomers the value of earning their leisure instead of taking it for granted. That’s one of the reasons they’re so good at discipline and prioritizing important jobs.
Always Be Prepared
It didn’t matter if they discussed keeping extra batteries or having a plan B for huge life events because the Greatest Generation told boomers, “Always be prepared.” It came from living through times when being unprepared could lead to serious trouble. They never wanted boomers to have to deal with that.
Eat Your Vegetables
While “eat your vegetables” sounds like typical parent advice, it meant a lot more than just good health coming from the Greatest Generation. After all, they remembered times when food wasn’t a given, and you had to be grateful for everything you got. This advice was a way for them to teach boomers to appreciate any and all food available.
Look People in the Eye When You Speak
This generation told boomers to “look people in the eye when you speak,” which made them respect others and helped build their confidence. Even though it was something small, it helped them build better relationships with other people. It also helped boomers tell others they weren’t afraid to stand by their words.
Wear Clean Underwear in Case You’re in an Accident
As silly as it sounds, the Greatest Generation seriously told their kids, “Wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.” It was important for the younger generation to understand that they needed to be presentable and prepared for any situation. It didn’t matter if the unexpected happened because they wanted them to be prepared for that, too.
Make Do and Mend
Growing up during a time when you couldn’t replace things at the drop of a hat meant that the Greatest Generation truly understood how to be resourceful. They told boomers, “Make do and mend,” to encourage them to fix and reuse what they already had. This way, they’d care for what they had and make it last as long as possible.
Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick
Even though it came from Teddy Roosevelt originally, the Greatest Generation was more than happy to tell boomers, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” They wanted them to be gentle and assert themselves whenever needed. It’s a piece of advice many boomers take seriously, even to this day.
A Good Name is Better Than Riches
The Greatest Generation knew what it was like to have nothing, so they wanted their kids to know that money isn’t everything. They would tell them, “A good name is better than riches,” to make them aware that respect and trust are things you can’t buy. They’re also utterly priceless.
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