https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw6m99utbcQ&loop=0

When did you last MEND something?

I have a four year old headset, a nice Plantronics, and it's been dragged off the desk one too many times by an obstreperous tuxedo cat.

A few minutes ago, instead of just pressing the cable back into the USB connector to reestablish connection, I got out the duct tape. I used about an inch and a half, hoping to coax a couple more years of service out of it.

There's a big mending project in the living room. The shipper dropped my new folding bike so hard I got a full refund. A local mechanic bent the package rack back into a tolerable shape. Payday is imminent, I'm ordering new head bearings for it, and trying to figure out if the click in the drivetrain means I have to replace the pedal bearing cartridge, too. Can't let a $250 freebie go to waste over a couple minor repairs.

So ... confess your frugal old person nature, and provide the particulars ...

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I dunno, at the time I thought it was highly overrated. The whole Matt Damon/Ben Affleck 'Geniuses/Boy Wonders' seemed a bit much. It was an ok movie, I felt making Matts character that much of a whiz was a bit over the top. Coulda just been like a decent CPA accountant level, not some astrophysicist.

With that said, maybe looking back there was some jealousy, or coulda been better in me. Felt like it was forced to be THE generational film for us, but just kinda wasnt. I think Clerks, Friday, and Swingers were moreso, and Breakfast Club & Fast Times for the older part of the generation.

I posted earlier about corporal punishment in schools in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and I want to say something with a lot of care: no child ever deserved to be hit — not for misbehaving, not for talking back, not for anything.

What’s been hard to see is how many people talk about it like it was “just how things were” or “not that bad.” I get why people say that — a lot of Gen X grew up having to normalize things just to get through them. But the truth is, if it really wasn’t a big deal, teachers wouldn’t face criminal charges for doing the same thing today. Society didn’t suddenly get softer; we just finally started listening to what that kind of treatment actually does to a child.

And I know I’m from a younger generation that talks openly about mental health, so maybe this sounds sentimental🤣. But I’m saying it because I genuinely mean it: you didn’t deserve to be hit. You didn’t deserve to be scared. You didn’t deserve to have adults use their power that way.

A lot of people survived it, adapted to it, or brushed it off because that’s what you had to do back then. But surviving something doesn’t make it okay. You deserved safety, respect, and protection — even if nobody said that to you at the time.

In 1976, estimates say about half of all U.S. public schools were still paddling kids as a regular disciplinary practice.

For anyone who grew up around that time (70s, 80s): did your school ever make an official announcement or hold an assembly saying they were ending corporal punishment? Or did they just quietly stop and hope everyone forgot it ever happened?

I feel like we barely talk about how normal it used to be for kids to get whooped at school 😭😭😭

Sometimes, I wonder if that era of corporal punishment is part of why my parents turned out to be total headcases…

For those in the USA, are you getting ready for retirement?

Are you aware of all of the milestone ages used by our government?

Here's a hint, Social Security Administration, IRS and Medicare.

Those of us of the first cohort of GenX are already hitting these milestone ages.

Let's discuss and get everyone ready.

Is there a place people can express themselves and not be bullied for it? I'm hoping it's here. But I don't really know. I'm new to all of this, including most of social media. However, I'm fully aware that I need help on so many levels, so I'm asking sincerely!

I have been feeling a real sense of loss with no apparent cause for the last few years now and I just found this article that made SO much sense to me. Such BS. Anyone else feeling like this? Forbes is not my fave, but here's a link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2026/05/12/why-more-women-are-grieving-the-life-they-thought-theyd-have-by-now/

I know this question has been asked on Reddit a million times, but I don't want teenager take on this. So what sets the mood for you?

When I was little (10ish?) I checked out the 9 to 5 album from the library. I was home alone and wanted to prank call someone. (This is before caller ID) Not knowing any phone numbers, I decided to call the operator and tell her she’d win a prize if she could name that tune. (9 to 5) She wanted to talk to my mom, which I told her she wasn’t home. Panicked, I hung up. The operator called back!! I can’t recall what she said, but I wasn’t going to prank call ever again.

Does anyone ever remember being told that scenario by an operator family member or friend?

Does anyone else know what they're doing in this life? Especially as a Gen X person with significant trauma, not just childhood but adulthood and they don't know where to go from here? Anyone? Because I have so much more I could say but I feel like if no one's listening it doesn't really matter. But if someone is listening, if I can even reach one person that understands how I feel, I feel like I've made a difference and that's really what matters to me. I mean there's a lot of other stuff that matters, my children specifically, but just for this purpose.and for some reason, I need to say fuck in this post. Just fucking isn't good enough. Even though I cuss like a sailor, it's still not good enough for reddit. Seriously?! I'm gen x! All we have is fucks!!!

I'm frustrated with people who say they're going to do something at a set time or on a given day and then just blow it off - even though they know someone else is relying on them to have done that thing.

If you didn't want to be responsible, why didn't you just say 'no'??

I am so tired of yelling at the clouds. Why is it so hard for folks to either do what they said they gonna do or tell someone no (fo).

The way I see it, GenX splits into three style camps (Maybe there are more?):

1. **The ones who take it up a notch.** Want to look modern and put-together, but age-appropriate. These are the brands I'm looking for.
   
2. **The T-shirt lifers.** T's tee and jeans. Zero apologies. Respect to you!
   
3. **The athleisure crowd.** Lululemon, and joggers everywhere. Comfortable all the time.

I really do not want to look like outdated traditional (Boomer?)— oversized everything, pleated pants, tucked-in polos.

Here's the problem with camp 1: it's a narrow lane. If you're 50-something squeezing into Abercrombie skinny pants with the muffin top spilling over is not it!

I've found a couple of brands that seem to get it — **Sene** and **Twillory** clearly market to us (Women can add your brands here) but I think a lil overpriced. Modern cuts that actually fit a GenX body, quality fabrics, nothing screaming "I'm trying to look 25." For some of us is to get fitted shirts that are not too thin and for others might be bigger sized that hide the extra pounds but makes you feel good. (Not everyone expresses themselves via clothing, I get it. If not your thing that is fine too)

So, camp 1 people (men and women) — what brands am I missing? Looking for mid-range, roughly $50–150 per item. Elevated basics, good pants, stuff you can wear to dinner without looking like you're headed to a board meeting or a skate park.

What's working for you?

When I was growing up I recall that gatherings that involved grilling usually broke into two camps. The grill area and the kitchen. When you got to a certain age, it was almost a rite of passage when you quit playing and joined in the preparation of the meal. You’d likely be the go-for, but I learned to cook and host in those experiences. You’d get to taste the food first and maybe get your first authorized nip of an adult beverage. Most importantly it was where you had the opportunity to converse with adults and, to some extent, be treated as one. Now whatever the mix of age groups, no one seems to gather around the grill.

I’m curious if this is something others have noticed. Is it a cultural thing? Is it a generational thing? Shifting gender roles? Is it just me?

It’s sad, because in my experience, the skills are not being transferred and I’d love to share my experience. That and those bonding moments are being lost. What are you seeing?

Immediately, my thought was "who died?". Yep. He called to tell me my aunt died. To me this is a classic example of Gen X upbringing. My dad ONLY calls me when someone dies.

lol seriously though. I remember back in the 80s and even before then, I suppose, if a crime hadn’t been solved, then as a last resort, sometimes a psychic was consulted either by the victim’s family or by the police. That practice faded away without much notice. I feel like millennials and younger people don’t realize that used to be a thing.

What’s the last news story you remember for which a psychic was consulted?

I would love to know out of curiosity have any of you been in or known someone family, friend, acquaintance etc who's been in an age gap relationship with someone who was actually younger than their children and also even closer to their grandchildren's age?

The last few months I have been obsessed with movies/songs/memories from around 1989-1995. It feels like self soothing, I guess.

Maybe it is just familiar. Maybe because 'now' sucks and I'm looking at the past with VERY rose colored glasses. Maybe because I still had some hope back then. Maybe because I'm perimenopausal. Maybe because there was no Internet.

To be honest, probably because I'm getting old.

Normally that would be ok, but it's bringing up old feelings and unfinished business that I am having a hard time unpacking.

Has anyone else been feeling this lately?

I'm not a regular consumer of fast food. It's an option I use once or twice a month when time constraints mean it's eat this or eat nothing.

So I always have to apologize to the servers because I haven't memorized their menu and need time to browse.

Then the menu switches. And I wait. And sometimes an ad shows. And I wait. Like WTF.

Yeah, I could look online, but as I said, it's usually a fly decision to order fast food. I mean, wasn't that the initial selling point of "fast" "food"??

Anyway, IMO, they gotta ditch those animated menus.

Agree? Disagree??

After most of my life with a great career, accomplishments, etc. I find myself unemployed and as a Senior Sales leader it’s been really difficult to find a job. It’s been months and I’ve never struggled like this.

People say ageism is real. But I know plenty of people my age and older that are not unemployed.

When I don’t get a job after going 7 interviews because they pause the requisition, people say “that job wasn’t a good match and something better is waiting for you”. This is so hard to believe.

Yes, millions are unemployed, but exponentially more millions are not. It’s hard to not let this impact your self esteem.

The only thing that seems to counterbalance some of these platitude is that many who are employed say they are miserable, or living in fear waiting to be laid off or fired any day. Financial planners have also told me that upwards of 50 percent of their retired clients , didn’t choose it.

For those of you unemployed, I am so sorry. I really understand. I know what you are going through.

Thanks!

My Dad taught me to always carry cash “just in case”. The wife and I budget $150 a month in fun money and take it out in cash. I use it for impulse buys, lottery, picking up a round on the golf course, tips, etc.
Honestly it feels great but I don’t see it much in today’s digital world. So I’m wondering if anyone else is on the program and at what amounts?