Community Chat

[foundinlv]

On 3/30/2014 chickenbutt said:

It was too small to read, but I see reply #1 mentioned computers, landlines, and cable tv. I would not get rid of any of those either.

All my computers are laptops and that is just perfect for me. I kind of wish technology didn't start this thing where there is one line of choices. Like, ok, I am sure tablets and all that are great. But the screens are too small for some people so why couldn't there be computers with larger screens AND tablets and such.

One thing that has affected me is cell phones. I've had a cell phone since 1995. But I truly have zero need for a smart phone. NTTAWWT, but some of us don't need/want a smartphone. But if you are still in the dumbphone market you are pretty much skrewed. You are not in the carriers' targeted markets at all anymore and you can just get junky little qrap phones. (sorry - kind of a rant on the latest phone I had to get when they closed the Nextel network and I had to buy a Sprint network capable phone.) But the main thing is that the choice spectrum is seriously diminished if you don't want a smartphone. There used to be lots of regular phone choices. ok, rant over.

Hi CB! That's why we bought a smartphone. While it has a lot of function that we'll never use (because we have our computers that we prefer), the phones are cool and our plan is just $35 per month for 300 minutes, unlimited text and unlimited data. My dh now texts me most of the time and we both end up using less than 100 minutes of talk time per month.

Also, I too am not interested in getting a tablet for the same reason....screen too small.

[glb613]

On 3/30/2014 sunshine45 said:

interesting list! not sure i am ready yet though to give up my cable tv or my laptop.

Dying technologies aren't the only unnecessary drain on our wallets. MarketWatch lists the following 10 items to avoid buying in 2014:

Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/money/10-things-not-to-buy-in-2014/24482612#ixzz2xTNTk464

Digital Cameras.....stick with your smartphone or get a DSLR camera

Credit Cards with points/mileage......many cards are devaluing their rewards programs and/or adding yearly fees. they suggest getting one with a cash back program instead.

Extra legroom in economy

Laptop and desktop computers.....tablets are becoming go-tos now and are more affordable and have all of the same features.

2 year phone contracts....go with a no contract provider, the services are usually much cheaper, and just buy the phone at full price.

hotel rooms......demand is rising and so are the prices. try an apartment rental OR home rental.

dvd and blue ray players....go with a service like hulu or netflix.

gps unit....... use the free map apps on your smartphone or most cars these days come with built in devices.

landline phone services.....the landlines are slowly becoming the dinosaur. the percentage of those who are landline free in the usa is now up to 38 percent. (up from 21% in 2009)

cable tv...... go with streaming services like hulu or netflix.

I'm not anti-technology in fact, I'm a gadgetgal. With that being said, I'll keep my desktop and notebook computers because tablets DON'T do everything. I'm too cheap to pay for a data plan so I'll skip the smartphone and keep my camera and GPS. I have Bluray disks I like to watch so I'll keep my Smart Bluray player. If I want to stream movies, I can use it or Apple TV. I like to watch programs other than what's on Netflix or Hulu so I'll keep my cable TV. Due to some hearing loss, I'll also keep my landline since I hear better using a handset.

If I was still working and traveling everyday, I would get a smartphone. I'm not mobile and would rather spend the data plan money on my vacations.

[ilovedaisies]

I like my desktop pc and if it rolls over and dies I would get another. I've never been a fan of laptops and I love my tablet but wouldn't want to use it 100% of the time.

We got rid of our landline years ago. We just never used it anymore and all our friends and family were calling our cells, so the only people who ever called the landline were salespeople.

I have no idea why microwaves would become obsolete, what would be replacing them?

I agree about the phones/cameras.

[winamac1]

I prefer a computer to a tablet. I have s smartphone, and Verizon contract-I have a DVR and record many TV programs, I have a landline as it's only $10 more a month.

[winamac1]

I use my microwave many times daily.

[NoelSeven]

On 3/30/2014 deepwaterdotter said:

Well paint me purple and call me Barney because I'm keeping my desktop, landline, dvd, and cable.

Me, too. I love the big screen on my desktop and, unlike my iPad, I get to see everything at once without making parts bigger on the tablet.

I'm also keeping my no-fee Amazon card because of the points value. I had over $300 to spend going toward a camera two Christmases ago, and have more than that available now which I may use toward a Samsung tablet for DH.

[kittymomNC]

On 3/30/2014 StaciesMom said:

On 3/30/2014 kittymomNC said:

On 3/30/2014 kittykatkay said:

# 1 - I'm keeping my computer.

# 2 - I'm keeping my landline.

# 3 - I'm keeping my cable tv.

What's next - no underwear? well, I ain't gonna answer that one!

Me, too!! And I haven't even thrown out my old VCR or all the tapes I recorded--it still works if I want to use it. Bought a converter to move the VCR tapes over to DVD, but my son "borrowed" it....he's promised he'll do my tapes as soon as he has time!

Maybe they're gonna start making underwear with built-in computers and cell phones.....you can talk into your bra-a-a-a........!

LOL My daughter laughs at me because I still have a TV on my kitchen counter with a built-in VCR/DVD player in it. I still have VCR tapes (Christmas ones) that I still watch! Heck, I was still taping shows on VCR tapes until a couple of years ago when we got digital cable!

Hah -- me, too!!

[brii]

I love laptops and tablets, but I won't give up my desk too. We upgraded the security system so we don't need a landline anymore. Love Netflix!! Gave up the microwave a long time ago. N don't even miss it. Now if we can get all the movies and photos onto CDs, we'd be in good shape. Lol

[biancardi]

laptops and desktops will never go out of style for people who program for a living. You cannot program on a tablet.

marketwatch is full of it - they do not have the same features. They may have the same features for a person who just wants to play with social media, read books online or watch movies online, but it isn't the SAME thing.

that is not a dying technology.

[Kalli]

We need our land line for our security system. I have a Mac laptop and love it. As long as it works I'll use it. We kept our cable because Comcast is on it and that covers Philly sports which DH couldn't live without.

-Kalli