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HomeMoney Making9 Hard-Earned Lessons From the ‘Good Old Days’

9 Hard-Earned Lessons From the ‘Good Old Days’


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The good old days weren’t always so good, and the bad old days could sometimes be downright dreadful.

Thankfully, life has evolved—transforming yesterday’s struggles into today’s clever solutions.

1. Communicating Across Town or Across the World

Rolodex and vintage phone
Milos Luzanin / Shutterstock.com

Then: Expensive long-distance calls and snail mail ruled the day.

Now: Affordable cell plans and free messaging apps make staying in touch effortless.

Pro Tip: Paying more than $15 a month for your cell service? Stop that. Click here to save a bundle.

2. Stashing Cash Under the Mattress

Man hiding cash under a mattress
Mike Focus / Shutterstock.com

Then: Saving meant physically hiding money at home, which earned nothing and wasn’t always safe.

Now: High-yield accounts let your money grow safely while offering easy access.

Pro Tip: Earn as much as possible on your emergency savings. For example, SoFi Checking is offering 4% interest, plus a potential $300 signup bonus. (May change without notice.)

3. The Nightmare of Car Trouble

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Then: Breakdowns meant scrambling to cover hefty repair costs, often leaving you stranded.

Now: Warranties offer peace of mind for unexpected repairs, saving you from financial stress.

Pro Tip: Repair costs are skyrocketing. If you’re concerned about coming up with thousands for a car repair, consider the cost/benefit of an extended car warranty.

4. Relying on Luck with Your Health

Woman in a hospital bed
nimito / Shutterstock.com

Then: Preventative care was less common, and health risks often went undetected until it was too late.

Now: Early screenings and modern health tools help you stay ahead of potential issues.

Pro Tip: Life Line Screening reveals hidden risks so you can act early. Book a screening today and have peace of mind.

5. The Perils of Old-School Travel

Old Flemington train station sign, Flemington, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County
Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Then: Cancelled trips, lost bags, and emergencies left travelers stranded without recourse.

Now: Travel insurance ensures you’re protected no matter what happens on your journey.

Pro Tip: Travel insurance is a must to protect that expensive vacation. Here’s a list of the top travel insurers.

6. Earning Money the Hard Way

Man at desk working hard, sweating
ZouZou / Shutterstock.com

Then: Long hours and limited opportunities left little time for family or leisure.

Now: Flexible online work and gig opportunities open new doors for extra income.

Pro Tip: Earn up to $1000 per month doing simple tasks with KashKick.

7. Retirement Savings Guesswork

Sad senior looking out a window
wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock.com

Then: Planning for retirement often meant confusion and mismanagement, leaving people unprepared.

Now: Professional advisors simplify and optimize your future financial plans.

Pro Tip: If you’ve got more than $100,000 in savings, get some advice from a pro. SmartAsset offers a free service that matches you to a vetted, fiduciary advisor in less than 5 minutes.

8. High Costs of Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Cat at the veterinarian
4 PM production / Shutterstock.com

Then: Unexpected vet bills could drain your savings and cause financial stress.

Now: Pet insurance helps you afford the care your furry friends deserve.

Pro Tip: Vet bills can devour your savings. Protect yourself and your furry friends with Pet Insurance.

9. Investing Used to Be for the Elite

The Faces / Shutterstock.com

Then: Diversifying your portfolio was complicated and accessible only to the wealthy.

Now: Modern platforms make it easy to invest in unique opportunities like whiskey and wine.

Pro Tip: This might be a good time to consider an investment in wine and whiskey. Vinovest can get you started with as little as $1,000.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Happy senior couple grinning and swimming at the pool on vacation or at a hotel with a pool float raft
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

While we can learn a lot from the past, modern tools and solutions have made life easier, safer, and more efficient.

Start using these genius upgrades today and enjoy the benefits of living in the now!