Millennials get blamed for “killing” everything from chain restaurants to fabric softener, but the story is rarely that simple. People’s spending habits change as prices rise, technology improves, and everyday life looks different from it did 20 or 30 years ago.

For many millennials, certain products just don’t seem worth the money or hassle anymore. A smartphone can replace a landline, streaming can replace cable, and a banking app can take the place of a trip to the bank.

Those choices make sense for many households, but they can be tough news for businesses that have relied on these products and services for decades. Here are some of the things millennials are buying less often and the industries feeling the effects.

Home Landline Telephones

For most millennials, a smartphone already handles calls, texts, video chats, and just about every other form of communication. Paying for a separate phone line at home can feel like an unnecessary monthly bill.

As more households have moved away from traditional landlines, telephone companies have seen demand decline. Younger adults who grew up with mobile phones are also far less likely to see a landline as something a home needs.

Cable Television Subscriptions

The days of sitting down with a printed TV guide and flipping through hundreds of cable channels have largely passed for younger viewers.

Streaming services give people the ability to watch shows and movies on their own schedules, often without paying for a large bundle of channels they rarely watch. That change has taken millions of customers away from traditional cable providers.

Cable companies have responded by launching their own streaming services and changing the way they package television. Still, convincing younger viewers to return to traditional cable has been a tough sell.

Fabric Softener

Fabric softener used to be a routine part of laundry day for many households. For some millennials, it’s an extra product that simply isn’t worth buying.

Modern detergents and washing machines can leave clothes feeling perfectly fine without another bottle taking up space in the laundry room. Some consumers are also trying to cut down on household products they consider unnecessary.

The result is less interest in a product that once seemed like a standard part of doing laundry.

Department Store Shopping

Department stores were once a regular stop for everything from clothing and shoes to home goods and holiday shopping. Many millennials have moved toward online retailers, discount stores, resale platforms, and smaller specialty shops instead.

Shopping online also makes it easier to compare prices, read reviews, and order something without spending an afternoon walking through a store.

As fewer shoppers visit traditional department stores, many long-running chains have closed locations or changed their retail strategies.

Diamond Engagement Rings

The traditional diamond engagement ring still has plenty of fans, but millennials have shown more willingness to look beyond the standard natural-diamond purchase.

Lab-grown diamonds can cost considerably less, while sapphires, moissanite, and other gemstones give couples more choices. Some couples also prefer a smaller ring and would rather put their money toward a home, travel, savings, or paying off debt.

For a generation dealing with high housing costs and other major expenses, spending a large amount on an engagement ring isn’t always the priority it once was.

Doorbells

A basic doorbell has one job: let you know someone is standing at the door.

Smart video doorbells can do much more. They can show homeowners who is outside, record activity, send alerts to a phone, and help people keep an eye on packages when they’re away from home.

For younger homeowners who already use smart home technology, a traditional doorbell may seem outdated. The basic doorbell hasn’t disappeared, but smart versions have changed what many people expect from the small device beside the front door.

Ironing Boards and Irons

Ironing clothes used to be a regular household chore, especially when office dress codes called for pressed shirts and formal clothing.

Workplaces have become more casual in many industries, and plenty of modern clothing is made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics. That means fewer people feel the need to pull out an ironing board every morning.

For quick touch-ups, some people reach for a handheld steamer or toss a wrinkled shirt in the dryer for a few minutes instead. Others simply accept a few wrinkles and get on with their day.

Banks With Physical Branches

A trip to the bank used to be part of normal life. Today, many people can handle most banking tasks from a phone.

Mobile apps allow customers to deposit checks, transfer money, pay bills, monitor transactions, and manage accounts without visiting a branch. For people who rarely need cash or face-to-face assistance, there’s little reason to make a special trip.

Banks have responded by investing heavily in online services while closing some physical branches. Branches still matter for certain transactions and customers, but younger consumers have helped push banking further toward digital services.

Daily Newspaper Subscriptions

For previous generations, the morning newspaper was a familiar part of the day. Millennials grew up during the transition from print news to websites, smartphones, apps, podcasts, newsletters, and social media.

Getting the day’s news no longer requires waiting for a paper to arrive at the front door. A phone can deliver breaking stories within seconds, and readers can choose which topics they want to follow.

That change has put continued pressure on the newspaper business, particularly its traditional print model. Some newspapers have moved much of their focus online, while others have reduced print editions or stopped publishing them altogether.

The habits of younger consumers don’t explain every challenge facing these industries, but they are part of a much bigger change in how Americans shop, watch television, communicate, manage money, and decide what products they actually need.