5 smart things wealthy baby boomers do with their money that guarantees them a comfy lifestyle. How to copy them

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As the late, great Hollywood icon Bette Davis once said: "Getting old ain't no place for sissies." And neither is figuring out how to pay for a retirement that actually feels comfortable.

For baby boomers, the oldest of whom are now in their 80s, decades of working, saving, investing and making financial mistakes have produced plenty of lessons for the generations coming up behind them.

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There isn't one secret formula for becoming wealthy. But some of the financial habits that can help build wealth are surprisingly straightforward: Spend less than you make, invest consistently, automate your savings and keep expensive debt from eating into your income.

The U.S. Census Bureau puts median household income at $87,460 in 2025, although incomes and financial circumstances vary widely from household to household (1).

For people still working toward retirement, these five habits can help put more money to work — and potentially make the transition out of the workforce a little easier.

An improvement in your finances, such as a raise at work or an inheritance, shouldn't be an excuse to spend more.

One of the simplest ways to build wealth is to make sure your spending doesn't rise every time your income does. The strategizing boomer knows that any boost to income should go to savings and investments. In other words, they live below their means.

However, it's all too common for a lot of people to spend what they earn — a losing proposition when it comes to saving for retirement. Instead of indiscriminate spending, follow the advice that finance writer Elizabeth Aldrich's father gave her: Create a retirement budget and stick to it.

For investors with portfolios of $250,000 or more, financial decisions often become increasingly nuanced.

Managing withdrawals, minimizing tax exposure and ensuring long-term sustainability often requires greater coordination and strategic planning.

In these cases, working with a financial advisor can help reduce costly mistakes.