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I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay. I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
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As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ?
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden <Roy.jerden@...> wrote: I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
We're basically the same as you and Toni. Jeff takes care of all the financial stuff, online, and I haven't the slightest idea how to navigate the computer or access any of that stuff. I've asked him to teach me some things and give me his passwords, but we're still not there yet. He is super organized and has an amazing spread sheet where he keeps track of EVERYTHING, but it scares me to even look at that or think about adding anything to it! I'm hoping he outlives me!
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 3:22?PM Mary Sue OWENS < fw.mso@...> wrote: As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ?
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
Hey, Roy, I am somewhere between your electronic lifestyle and the lady at the store.I pay lots of things online but some I pay by mail bc I don't like their website pmt process. I never do any automatic payments on my bank. I disconnected landline about 2 years ago, kinda reluctantly bc we have cell phone issues in the house. The nonstop political calls made the decision to disconnect easier.
I mail greeting cards so I still use stamps.?
I don't use Alexa or Seri and don't plan to. Call me paranoid.
I held off of texting for a very long time. My kids said if I texted, I'd "hear" from them more often. Maybe so.
I handle our household finances and tax stuff (gather the info, add to spreadsheet to take to our accountant.) My hubby keeps the house repaired and outdoor work done, and is computer literate, too. He'd be fine without me, but I would be lost keeping the house and cars going.
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Marsha Kinlaw <mbk1146@...> wrote: We're basically the same as you and Toni. Jeff takes care of all the financial stuff, online, and I haven't the slightest idea how to navigate the computer or access any of that stuff. I've asked him to teach me some things and give me his passwords, but we're still not there yet. He is super organized and has an amazing spread sheet where he keeps track of EVERYTHING, but it scares me to even look at that or think about adding anything to it! I'm hoping he outlives me! On Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 3:22?PM Mary Sue OWENS < fw.mso@...> wrote: As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ?
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
Guess I'm somewhere between the lifestyles, also.? Hanging on to land line; lots of people were without cell last week when AT&T went down.? We have utilities and a few other?things on auto-pay through the bank.? I pay others online, through our bank.? Hubby
doesn't use computer at all (except to play a word game on my Kindle); he gets catalogs in mail, uses stamps to send orders through the mail, mails charitable donations, etc.
Not ready to use Alexa or Seri, but do have some security cameras after our house was broken into about 5 years ago.? I use my cell phone mostly for Facebook messaging, but sometimes text, less often for a phone call.? I keep in touch with our kids and my sister
& brother regularly through FB.? Hubby has a cell phone for emergencies; takes it with him, but only turns it on to let me know he's on his way home from somewhere.
Tim handles financial stuff, simple home repairs, and lawn work. OH, AND he does most of the cooking!!? We'd both be lost in some areas without the other.? I keep postponing getting a list made of financial investments, bank accounts, etc.; really do need to
do that!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hey, Roy, I am somewhere between your electronic lifestyle and the lady at the store.I pay lots of things online but some I pay by mail bc I don't like their website pmt process. I never do any automatic payments on my bank. I disconnected landline about
2 years ago, kinda reluctantly bc we have cell phone issues in the house. The nonstop political calls made the decision to disconnect easier.
I mail greeting cards so I still use stamps.?
I don't use Alexa or Seri and don't plan to. Call me paranoid.
I held off of texting for a very long time. My kids said if I texted, I'd "hear" from them more often. Maybe so.
I handle our household finances and tax stuff (gather the info, add to spreadsheet to take to our accountant.) My hubby keeps the house repaired and outdoor work done, and is computer literate, too.
He'd be fine without me, but I would be lost keeping the house and cars going.
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Marsha Kinlaw
<mbk1146@...> wrote:
We're basically the same as you and Toni. Jeff takes care of all the financial stuff, online, and I haven't the slightest idea how to navigate the computer or access any of that stuff. I've asked him to teach me some things and give me his passwords, but
we're still not there yet. He is super organized and has an amazing spread sheet where he keeps track of EVERYTHING, but it scares me to even look at that or think about adding anything to it! I'm hoping he outlives me!
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 3:22?PM Mary Sue OWENS < fw.mso@...> wrote:
As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ?
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden
I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for
awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned
the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady
packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
Thanks everyone. I kind of thought I would be an outlier in terms of automation and I thought others would have found a middle ground as most have indicated. What I found interesting in the replies is the various styles of the husband/wife division of labor.?
For us,I have outsourced most of the outside work to my lawn service guy, who also does some landscaping. But I’m not a couch potato ?I plant annual flowers in the spring and I blow off the driveway and patio daily. I’m the fix it guy, too, like most husbands, I suspect. Good that I am because Toni’s always got something to fix. She’s the painter, though. We share cooking duties. We’re both good cooks and try to cook from scratch as much as possible. I really enjoy cooking, inside and outside and also make all our bread, typically Italian bread styles like a ciabatta. Toni is from Italy, so we mostly eat Italian, but like Italy, mostly vegetables, small amounts of meat, some pasta dishes (I do a killer carbonara), risottos, and fish, basically the Mediterranean diet. Toni is from northern Italy, so that includes polenta as well. Fortunately, we’re both still in relatively good shape and healthy, so we do walks, weather permitting, ?and work out at the gym. What we don’t do is travel as much as we used to, at least by car. Sorry if I’m rambling on, but I didn’t have a chance to talk to a lot of folks at the 50th reunion and catch up. Hope to make up for that this year. Cheers,
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On Feb 28, 2024, at 7:38?PM, Gloria Sturm <gmsturm@...> wrote:
?
Guess I'm somewhere between the lifestyles, also.? Hanging on to land line; lots of people were without cell last week when AT&T went down.? We have utilities and a few other?things on auto-pay through the bank.? I pay others online, through our bank.? Hubby
doesn't use computer at all (except to play a word game on my Kindle); he gets catalogs in mail, uses stamps to send orders through the mail, mails charitable donations, etc.
Not ready to use Alexa or Seri, but do have some security cameras after our house was broken into about 5 years ago.? I use my cell phone mostly for Facebook messaging, but sometimes text, less often for a phone call.? I keep in touch with our kids and my sister
& brother regularly through FB.? Hubby has a cell phone for emergencies; takes it with him, but only turns it on to let me know he's on his way home from somewhere.
Tim handles financial stuff, simple home repairs, and lawn work. OH, AND he does most of the cooking!!? We'd both be lost in some areas without the other.? I keep postponing getting a list made of financial investments, bank accounts, etc.; really do need to
do that!
Hey, Roy, I am somewhere between your electronic lifestyle and the lady at the store.I pay lots of things online but some I pay by mail bc I don't like their website pmt process. I never do any automatic payments on my bank. I disconnected landline about
2 years ago, kinda reluctantly bc we have cell phone issues in the house. The nonstop political calls made the decision to disconnect easier.
I mail greeting cards so I still use stamps.?
I don't use Alexa or Seri and don't plan to. Call me paranoid.
I held off of texting for a very long time. My kids said if I texted, I'd "hear" from them more often. Maybe so.
I handle our household finances and tax stuff (gather the info, add to spreadsheet to take to our accountant.) My hubby keeps the house repaired and outdoor work done, and is computer literate, too.
He'd be fine without me, but I would be lost keeping the house and cars going.
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Marsha Kinlaw
<mbk1146@...> wrote:
We're basically the same as you and Toni. Jeff takes care of all the financial stuff, online, and I haven't the slightest idea how to navigate the computer or access any of that stuff. I've asked him to teach me some things and give me his passwords, but
we're still not there yet. He is super organized and has an amazing spread sheet where he keeps track of EVERYTHING, but it scares me to even look at that or think about adding anything to it! I'm hoping he outlives me!
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 3:22?PM Mary Sue OWENS < fw.mso@...> wrote:
As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ?
On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden
I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for
awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned
the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady
packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
That little old lady and could definitely be friends, Roy.
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Show quoted text
On Feb 28, 2024, at 3:22?PM, Mary Sue OWENS <fw.mso@...> wrote:
?As little as possible in the Owens' household...Kids don't like it all ? On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:46 PM, Roy Jerden <Roy.jerden@...> wrote: I was reminded how much ordinary habits have changed the other day when I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things my wife Toni wanted.
In front of me was an older lady with a few bags of items who was writing a check to pay.? I hadn’t seen anybody do that for quite a while. She also asked the clerk for a book of stamps. I guess the smart cash register hadn’t seen a check for awhile either, as the scanner did not print anything on the back of the check. The clerk called a manager, who found the transaction in the system and approved it, thereby solving the issue. All this took about 10 minutes and the folks behind me abandoned the line, while I stuck around, interested to see how things evolved, as the nice older lady struck up a conversation with the clerk, me and anyone else around. The manager also got the book of stamps, and took the money for that, this time in cash. The lady packed up everything in her purse, put everything away and left with the bagger, who escorted her to her car.
I was reflecting on how normal all of that (except for the electronic glitch) would have been back in the day.
I suspect the lady still uses a landline and pays all her bills by mail. Probably still writes letters, too.
Meanwhile at my house, everything is 21st century. Admittedly, I’m a nerd and an early adopter of technology.
No landline. All cellular for the past 7 years at least.
No cable TV. All streaming services. 5g cellular internet service from T-Mobile.
Smart lights with automated routines by Alexa.
Robot vacuum also controlled by Alexa.
Smart thermostat also controlled by Alexa.
Ring doorbell.
Motion detectors to trigger alarms or turn on lights.
Security system.
CO2 and air quality monitors.
All bills paid automatically, and logged in my online financial system (Countabout). Only exception is taxes.
My only concern is how Toni will manage all this tech if I die before her. In fact, she asked me to show her how to file with TurboTax this year. I think a few things will likely revert to old school ways if I kick the bucket first.
How 21st century are you?
|
