Baby Boomers, Generation X and Y

Baby Boomers
Dates Born: 1946-1964
Age Range: 42-60
Population: 78 million
Music: John Denver, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones
Spending Power: More than $2 trillion (via SeniorJournal.com)

• Those born from 1946-1955 spend money on home improvement and clothing
• Those born from 1956-1964 tend to spend more on their children and mortgages

Characteristics: passionate about war demonstrations, peace, often criticized as parents that were too egotistical and concerned about their own prosperity so they left their children to fend for themselves, self-concerned
Keywords: "Self Fulfillment," "Individualistic," "Optimistic,"

Generation X
Dates Born: 1965-1979 (Dates range even earlier to 1963 and later to 1981)
Age Range: 27-41
Population: 17 million
Music: Punk Rock/Rock and Roll, Billy Idol, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Velvet Revolver, Cure, Rancid, Nirvana
Spending Power: $125 billion (via Business Week)
Characteristics: Not afraid to live an alternative lifestyle, adopt, interracial marriages, often viewed growing up in the era of “McJobs”, lost hope with their work environment,
Keywords: “Slackers,” "Latch-key,"Cynical," "Rebellious"


Generation Y
Dates Born: 1977-1994
Age Range: 12-29
Population: 60 million
Music: Pop punk, hip-hop, ska, boy bands, New Kids on the Block, Eminen, Brittany Spears, Jay Z
Spending Power:$150 billion annually
Characteristics: tech savvy generation with text messaging, Internet, iPods, to keep them socially connected, due to events such as 9-11 they "live for the moment"
Keywords: "Optimistic,”" "Choice," "Open-Minded," "Spontaneous"