In the modern world, we are always looking for ways to save time and energy. This has led to a significant transformation of traditional household routines. Some of the ways we used to manage our homes have become obsolete, replaced by new technologies, changing societal norms, and evolving lifestyles. This post is a compilation of 14 household routines that don’t exist anymore, based on real-world trends, data, and research.
1. Writing Checks for Bills
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It used to be common for households to sit down once a month and write checks for various bills. Today, most bills are paid online or set up for automatic withdrawals. The Federal Reserve reports that the number of checks paid in 2012 was less than half the number in 2003, largely due to the rise in electronic payments.
2. Using Phone Books
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Phone books, thick directories containing residential and business phone numbers, were once a staple in every home. Today, with the rise of smartphones and internet, they have become virtually obsolete. As per the Environmental Protection Agency, 680,000 tons of phone books were discarded in 2009. Today, that number is believed to be significantly lower.
3. Hand-Washing Dishes
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While some people still prefer to hand-wash dishes, the majority of households now use dishwashers. According to Energy Star, a dishwasher not only saves time but also uses less water than washing dishes by hand.
4. Tuning Into Scheduled TV Programs
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Before the advent of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, families used to schedule their evenings around TV programming. Nielsen reports that traditional TV viewing has been on a consistent decline since 2012.
5. Using Paper Maps
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Before GPS and Google Maps, people relied on paper maps for navigation. According to a study by Nature, the use of digital maps has significantly increased our spatial cognition compared to traditional paper maps.
6. Developing Film for Photos
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Before digital cameras and smartphones, photographs had to be developed from film in a darkroom. Kodak, once a giant in the photo industry, filed for bankruptcy in 2012 due to the rise of digital photography.
7. Using an Encyclopedia
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Before the internet, if you wanted to look up information on a topic, you’d pull out an encyclopedia. Now, websites like Wikipedia have made accessing information a matter of a few clicks.
8. Dial-Up Internet
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Dial-up internet, with its distinctive connection sound, has been replaced by high-speed broadband. According to Pew Research Center, as of 2019, 73% of American adults have broadband internet at home.
9. Making Mixtapes
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With the advent of digital music and streaming platforms like Spotify, the art of making a mixtape has all but disappeared. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, physical album sales have dropped significantly in the past decade.
10. Using a Clothesline
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Using a clothesline to dry clothes has largely been replaced by electric dryers, especially in developed countries. According to the Energy Information Administration, as of 2009, 81% of U.S. homes have a clothes dryer.
11. Home Milk Delivery
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Home milk delivery, a common practice in the mid-20th century, has largely disappeared. However, with the recent trend towards organic and local foods, some areas are seeing a revival of this practice.
12. Using a Typewriter
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Once a staple in every office, typewriters have been replaced by computers. The last typewriter factory, Godrej and Boyce, closed in 2011.
13. Reading a Newspaper
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Although newspapers are still being printed, many people get their news online. According to Pew Research Center, digital news consumption surpassed print for the first time in 2018.
14. Sending Telegrams
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Once a common method of communication, telegrams have been replaced by phones and email. The last telegram in the world was sent in India in 2013.