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Original poster

Boomer parents being judgemental about gig economy income

245 replies

Cupofteaandnewspaper · 18/02/2022 15:51

This is something I’ve noticed with myself but also a close friend. Our parents don’t understand our gig economy incomes and are very against it all, and only encourage us to have one job that’s a salaried thing they understand (e.g. run of the mill admin for a large company they’ve heard of).

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms, all I get is negativity when I discuss this! I’m doing the safe thing of having a salary and building up on the side, I really see a lot of potential in what I’m doing and I wish my parents could see that it’s paying for various things. All I want is positive encouragement rather than being told it’s a bad idea!

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 19/02/2022 01:54

i have to say anyone old enough to have boomer parents is equally old enough to 1) not call them boomers in a derogatory way 2) have a solid understanding of what good financial planning looks like (either by having witnessed successes or failures).
i suspect your too young to know what a boomer is.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/02/2022 01:58

[quote Cupofteaandnewspaper]@JunkIsland I’ve internalised their critical voices. Yeah, I might look childish responding to someone who says I’m causing boredom by waffling, at least I’m not internalising that insult too. It’s a joke in response to an insult.[/quote]
Yes, yes you do look childish.

If it’s working for you great. One thing about Gen X and boomers is they don’t need or want outside validation. They never had it. Since we are painting with broad strokes. Do your thing and get on with it and don’t expect anyone to cheer you on along the way.

That’s why you aren’t getting acknowledgement. You don’t get acknowledgment for doing what a grown ass adult is supposed to be doing.

PrettyBluebells · 19/02/2022 02:38

@SenecaFallsRedux

I really hate it that some people have allowed "Boomer" to become a slur. I'm a Boomer. For most of my life, it's simply meant someone who was born during the post-WW II baby boom. It only required its slur connotation when baby boomers began to get old. Just another way that ageism has reared its ugly head.
This is true, my parents are boomers, I grew up thinking they were really cool, swinging sixties and all that. Now it's used as a slur and I really don't see it, my parents are great fun to be with, they've worked hard and have a bit of money behind them now. But now they're old some young people think they should be laughed at (in general) and that they've had everything easy. I'd never have spoken about my grandparents age group like that, I had more respect. What was seen as wisdom in the old days is now belittled and mocked.
Vanellopee · 19/02/2022 04:14

This thread is weird. The OP wasn’t very difficult to understand, even if some of the jargon used wasn’t instantly familiar.

I can only assume that most posters have had their head in the sand for the last decade or so, or are being willfully stupid.

MissTrip82 · 19/02/2022 05:03

How old are you if your parents are boomers? 40s-50s? That’s quite old to still be trying to build something and not be financially secure already.

I’m not a boomer but I’m from a working class background and I also feel very anxious at the idea of part time work whilst you try to get something rather nebulous off the ground. I associate that behaviour with people who feel secure that they’ve got money coming to them via inheritance. I’ve never worked part time and would never, ever leave one job before finding another. Laid back attitudes to security don’t fit my background at all. Nothing to do with age.

Momijin · 19/02/2022 05:10

I'm gen X and see nothing wrong with what you're doing. I also have a lot of friends my age who do similar to what you're doing since having kids.

Billandben444 · 19/02/2022 06:44

Is a "trickle portfolio thru multiple platforms" kid speak for "making a bit of money selling clothes on Vinted and doing online surveys"?
😂

notanothertakeaway · 19/02/2022 08:38

I don't really understand what OP is talking about. I am self employed, and have various roles which complement each other nicely

But to me, "gig economy" implies zero hours contracts with no guarantee of work or job security, so I can understand your parents' concerns

SamphiretheStickerist · 19/02/2022 08:39

@Vanellopee

This thread is weird. The OP wasn’t very difficult to understand, even if some of the jargon used wasn’t instantly familiar.

I can only assume that most posters have had their head in the sand for the last decade or so, or are being willfully stupid.

It's just that most people do laugh at the 'influencer' jargon. As pp said, "put the self help book down".

Have another read and you will see that we ALL KNOW what OP meant. We are simply finding the Emperor's New Clothes amusing.

DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 19/02/2022 08:42

I think judging a whole generation on your parents views, shows a certain immaturity that can only be reached by a self-obsessed divvy.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 19/02/2022 08:56

Tiffany Feng did a really good analysis of this on Youtube, its like the whole 'how I bought my house by 25' stories at the moment, most of the schemes need a lump sum to get started. Or it's drop shipping where you resell cheap crap on amazon for a profit. I didn't agree with all her points and its US focused where minimum wage and hours are a lot worse than in the UK, but its worth a watch.

ChewtonRoad · 19/02/2022 09:10

Our parents don’t understand our gig economy incomes and are very against it all Twenty quid says they do understand the incomes; what they may be "against" is the unfair aspects of the gig economy.

I won't use the pejorative you have used (the B word), but after decades with a career in STEM I moved to the gig economy for the last eight years of my working life.

That allowed me to pay the bills but it didn't take long for the bleeding obvious to become so frustrating that I quit. Claiming "you're self employed" as a way to avoid having to pay a decent wage, benefits, sick pay, and holiday pay lines the pockets of the greedy bastards who came up with the idea and leaves the people doing the work wondering how the hell they've got into this mess.

We may be older, but we're really not as dim as you think.

JudgeJ · 19/02/2022 10:35

I'm am clearly too old and stupid to have a couple of...er...trickly jobs

Sounds like one for the Tena lady!

MissAngorian · 19/02/2022 11:00

@Vanellopee

This thread is weird. The OP wasn’t very difficult to understand, even if some of the jargon used wasn’t instantly familiar.

I can only assume that most posters have had their head in the sand for the last decade or so, or are being willfully stupid.

I totally understood what the OP was saying, but they started with an ageist slur and didn't redeem themselves in the slightest thereafter.
MrsSkylerWhite · 19/02/2022 11:07

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms“

🤣🤣🤣

DrSbaitso · 19/02/2022 11:10

@MrsSkylerWhite

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms“

🤣🤣🤣

Hey, it's better than what your husband does to support the family!
EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 19/02/2022 11:16

[quote Cupofteaandnewspaper]@JunkIsland I’ve internalised their critical voices. Yeah, I might look childish responding to someone who says I’m causing boredom by waffling, at least I’m not internalising that insult too. It’s a joke in response to an insult.[/quote]
Or it's an insult in response to a comment phrased in a way that you disliked.

LottyD32 · 19/02/2022 11:22

Knobhead.

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/02/2022 11:24

DrSbaitso

MrsSkylerWhite
I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms“

🤣🤣🤣

Hey, it's better than what your husband does to support the family”

Boom! Grin

Swonderful · 19/02/2022 11:27

Just don't share with them if they're not supportive. They're not going to change.

AnakinthePadawhine · 19/02/2022 11:30

OP, I am pretty sure I am younger than you, and you should give up the "OK boomer" speech. The cringe is strong with you.

ancientgran · 19/02/2022 11:30

Are they generally caring parents? If so it is probably that they want to feel you are secure. We all want our babies to be safe and happy. Maybe they don't understand, maybe they worry about you, on a less generous note maybe they'd like to be able to say to Fanny nextdoor that their daughter has a wonderful job. You would know better than us which category they fall into.

For yourself just enjoy doing what you do, other people don't have to approve.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 19/02/2022 11:34

Boomer here - have been part of the gig economy for years, so anyone engaging in stupid generalisations can fuck off.

DrSbaitso · 19/02/2022 11:46

Every generation thinks it invented sex and freelance income through various projects.

Biker47 · 19/02/2022 11:51

I'm 34 and have no idea what the OP is trying to convey.

Also for anyone playing along with their corporate bullshit bingo cards, surely there must be enough crossed off for a line or a full house by now from what he OP has posted.

Also OP, the whole "ok boomer" phase past a few years ago now, it's not an edgy retort in the slightest anymore, it's had its day in the sun.