From brick phones and dial-up internet to on-demand grocery delivery and data caps, the world has changed a lot since 2000. But modern technology brings modern expenses. Here’s how to solve seven problems you never had in a post-Y2K world.
6 Money Problems That Didn't Exist in 2000 (and How to Solve Them)
Ah, 2000. The Y2K panic was behind us, Beyonce was still in Destiny’s Child, “Gladiator” was in theaters, our cellphones were as large as our chunky flip flops, and we liked our internet slow and only on a desktop computer.
A lot has changed in the nearly two decades since and now that 2020 is almost upon us, we’re looking back at some of the ways the world has advanced – and gotten more expensive.
From smartphone fees to delivery fees, slide through for six modern budget-busting woes (and tips on how to solve them).
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1. Smartphone usage fees
In 2000, Nokia released the 3310 – the classic brick hall of famer that sold 126 million units –and it was technically a smartphone. [1] After all, it did have a 459-character SMS limit (living large!). But owners didn’t have to pay a separate fee for the privilege.
Today, some wireless providers charge a monthly “smartphone line access” to anyone with a smartphone. Since that’s pretty much everyone, if you have Verizon, for example, you’ll pay around $20 a month.
While any extra charge is no good, it may not make sense to jump providers just for the fee. Compare the overall cost of your total bill against competitors' plans at least once every two years to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
2. Wi-Fi data caps
While no one misses the days of dial up internet and PC-connected modems, the invention of Wi-Fi also gave providers another excuse to charge more for their services: monthly data caps.
Sign up for new internet service today and you’ll agree to a set chunk of data usage. Go over and you’ll get slapped with a fee to cover a few extra gigabytes. While you could pay for an unlimited plan, most people don’t need it.
Instead, look at your biggest data wasters to avoid the fee. For example, watching 4K video on Netflix eats up around 7GB per hour, hi-def around 3GB per hour and standard definition around 0.7GB per hour, according to How-To Geek. [2]
3. Streaming channel add-ons
In 2000, we waited months for “Real World New Orleans” and then stayed home to watch it live, rented movies from Blockbuster, and paid for heavily inflated cable packages with 100s of channels we never watched.
Now with the streaming wars in full swing, you have seemingly endless options for any content your heart desires. Problem is, all those channel add-ons can creep up, leaving you paying more than you probably would have for your old school cable package.
To keep it in check, audit your streaming services regularly to make sure you’re actually watching it. And compare prices when you add on. Some streaming services are now available across multiple platforms. Make sure you’re getting the best deal.
4. Streaming music fees
The turn of the century was a tumultuous time for the music industry. Napster came out in 1999. Metallica sued in the hopes of ending illegal downloading (to no real avail) in 2000. And by 2001, Apple released the first iPod. Industry big wigs feared they may never make billions again.
Spoiler alert: by capitalizing on the rise of MP3s, they did. Today, tech giants pay big bucks for streaming rights so you can pay monthly to access massive music libraries. For sound hounds, it is a way better option than waiting 17 hours to download one song off Limewire over a dial-up connection, but it can also cost you.
To stay in budget, opt for one service you can use across multiple devices so you get the most use out of it. Look for discount deals offered by your wireless or internet provider. And if you really want to save? Opt for free. Many radio stations broadcast free online and through smart home devices.
5. Bag check fees
In simpler times, you could get on a plane for just the cost of one ticket, sit in a seat that was (slightly) more comfortable and maybe even get served a meal or a snack. Then in 2008, American Airlines announced the newest thing in air travel: baggage fees.
You can avoid the fee by opting for an airline that let’s your stuff ride for free. Southwest, Contour Airlines and Southern Airways Express allow at least one free checked-in bag, according to Airfarewatchdog. [3]
You could also invest in a Sherpa-style backpack and lug your stuff on yourself as a carry on, but be wary, some airlines – like Frontier, Spirit Airlines and Swoop – are charging for those now, too.
Find out: How to Save Money on Flights
6. Grocery delivery fees
Back in the first term of George W. Bush, we used to do all of our shopping in store, brought a list on paper and got a discount using coupons from the newspaper. And if we’re being honest, it took hours we didn’t have to stay on budget and keep produce in the house.
Grocery delivery services can free up precious time. It can also help you stay on budget, since you can see the total cost of what you’re buying, as you’re buying it. But all the convivence comes with some pretty hefty fees. Depending on the provider, you’ll either pay a per month or per order service fee, plus tip, for every order.
To get the best deal, consider how you shop. If you order one or more times a week, look for a continuous service that offers a discount if you pay in advance for a year. If you only shop every couple of weeks, paying per trip may make more sense.
This article by Angela Colley was originally published on Debt.com.
Published by Debt.com, LLC
