Could you live like it's 1986?

**disneysteve** · 09-10-2013, 12:26 PM

I'm an internet junkie so it would be tough. I could deal without most everything but that. I couldn't care less about cable tv, hardly ever make an actual cell phone call, don't drink coffee, etc. But email and the web - that would be the hard one.

When we were on vacation last month, I really had to force myself not to be checking my email all day so that I was focused on where we were and what we were doing.

Of course, as we've discussed, technology saves us a ton of money and actually earns me thousands of dollars so giving up the tech would mean giving up the savings and income that tech brings.

**PauletteGoddard** · 09-10-2013, 01:06 PM

The $2 coin, the braille-friendly and plasticized 7.62 cm x 15.24 cm flat currency and scratch'n'sniff $100 bills came after 1986!

What are they doing for money? Beaver and mink pelts? Does the Hudson's Bay Company still trade for fur?

**Permanent Temp** · 09-12-2013, 11:07 PM

Also the year I was born. And I think its true I don't see why kids should have Iphones or be glued to tablets. I often wondering what I'd be doing if I didn't sit here in front of my laptop each night. I might just take a cue from them and take a step back from the technology as well. I would also give my kids coloring books. There's no reason for TV's in the backseat of the car. Coloring books are just fine. I could learn a thing or two from them.

I've been weaning myself off the computer and hubby and I started playing cards and board games. It's been nice.

**Gailete** · 09-19-2013, 06:18 AM

Of course, as we've discussed, technology saves us a ton of money and actually earns me thousands of dollars so giving up the tech would mean giving up the savings and income that tech brings.

I'm with DisneySteve on this one. Around a quarter to a third of our income comes from my activities on line. I don't have a cell phone although hubby just got one for work, no tablet, but I did break down and got a Kindle and my favorite things with that is being able to download classics for free, and getting samples of non-fiction books so you can see what they are about and worth what the charge. I've learned a lot from sample books. I've found that around 10 sample books on the same topic can give you most of what you need to know on the topic.

**JoeP** · 09-19-2013, 06:36 AM

I'm ok with it as long as I don't have to re-live listening to A-Ha, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Ratt!

Actually, I would not have too much of a problem because I have hobbies and interests that do not require high technology, and I'd be able to spend more of my time on those as well as a few I've been wanting to get into.

My kids, on the other hand, would be a massive challenge, and since we all live under the same roof, I don't think it would be possible in our situation.

**bjl584** · 09-20-2013, 09:50 AM

I could do it if I had too, but I don't really view technology as the cause of the deterioration of our society, so I really have no reason to.

I think it's all about balance. Smart phones are fine. But people that can't ever put them down, text and drive, and have no social skills with actual people are a problem.

**Gailete** · 09-20-2013, 12:06 PM

The obvious thing is of course we could, many of us did. I had a 5 and a 3 year old at the time. Money was tight. I did home day care. In the fall of the year I started nursing school where I had my first introduction to computers. The only thing we could use them for was printing out med lists and documenting vital signs. Amazing what they can do now with computers in the hospital.

Could you live like it's 1986?