Thanks to new technology and clever inventions, many once-essential expenses are now completely unnecessary. If you’ve ever wondered how much simpler (and cheaper) life has become over the past few decades, here are just a few of the things we used to pay for that you can now get for free or for a fraction of the cost.
Long-Distance Phone Calls
You may remember the times when calling someone in another state or country meant coughing up a small fortune. Thankfully, today, apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Skype have made long-distance communication completely free as long as you have an internet connection.
Music
Gone are those days of buying CDs, cassettes, or digital downloads for every single song you wanted. Nowadays, streaming services like Spotify and Pandora offer plenty of free options that allow you to listen to endless playlists with just a few ads every now and then.
Maps and GPS
A few decades ago, paper maps and GPS devices were essential buys for getting around, but now free apps like Google Maps and Waze have made the whole process a lot easier and cheaper.
Now that we can get real-time traffic updates and directions right on our phones, we never need to spend money on maps again.
Encyclopedias
It may be hard to imagine a time before the internet, but back then, encyclopedias were a household staple, and a pricey one at that. These days, though, platforms like Wikipedia and Google give us endless amounts of free, up-to-date information on just about any topic we could ask for, making those hefty encyclopedia sets a thing of the past.
Photo Printing
For many of us, it feels like only yesterday when printing photos was a regular expense. And yet today, most people pay nothing at all for the privilege of storing and sharing their pictures digitally. Social media, cloud storage, and free editing apps all make it super easy to preserve and display these valuable memories.
Movie Rentals
It wasn’t so long ago when everyone would have to buy or rent DVDs or VHS tapes from stores like Blockbuster. Things have changed a lot since then, as streaming platforms like Tubi, Peacock, and Pluto TV now offer free movie and TV streaming, giving you access to neverending entertainment with little to no fees.
Basic Software
Whether you needed them for your studies or work, buying word processors, spreadsheets, or presentation software was once unavoidable. Thankfully, today, free tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides can give you pretty much everything you need for free, as long as you’re on a device with an internet connection.
Fitness Classes
Before the days of YouTube, it would be pretty hard to find any free alternatives to fitness classes. But the good news is that if you’re working out on a budget, there are now countless free workout videos on this platform.
Many fitness channels make it surprisingly easy to stay fit at home, offering routines for every fitness level.
Home Phone Lines
It really wasn’t all that long ago when a home phone was a necessity, but most people now rely on their cell phones for almost everything. It’s easy to see why, as the many affordable unlimited plans and free calling apps mean there’s little need to keep a landline.
Newspaper Subscriptions
Physical newspapers used to be a daily expense for many American households, and a lot of people still love to read their news the material way. However, most news outlets now offer free online articles or apps with breaking news updates. People these days find this is the easiest way to keep themselves up to date these days.
Weather Reports
It was once the standard for people to subscribe to weather updates or buy specialized tools like thermometers. Today, there’s little use for these tools or services, as free weather apps like AccuWeather and Weather Channel provide real-time updates, forecasts, and radar maps for no cost at all.
International Texting
If you wanted to text someone overseas a few decades ago, you’d have to pay per message. Now, handy little apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Facebook Messenger allow us to text and even video call with friends and family worldwide, as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
Music Lessons
Many musicians would argue that getting lessons in person is still the best way to learn the instrument. However, it’s not nearly as necessary as it used to be. Free resources like YouTube tutorials and apps like Yousician have made it a whole lot easier to teach yourself.
Travel Guides
As you may remember, guidebooks and maps used to be essential tools for planning a vacation. Not today though, as free travel blogs, review sites like TripAdvisor, and Google’s travel tools will give you all the information you need to explore new destinations without spending a dime.
Classified Ads
In the past, posting a job or selling something meant paying for a little box of space in the local paper. Now, platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor have made it possible for you to list and browse ads for free, making it much easier to connect with the right buyers and sellers.
Bank Transfers
It may seem silly today, but not that long ago, transferring money between accounts or simply sending a few dollars to friends often came with hefty fees.
Thankfully, apps like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal have now made it so you can send money instantly without worrying about transaction costs.
Flashlights
This may sound like a strange one at first, flashlights are nowhere near as necessary as they used to be. Why? Because most smartphones come equipped with a handy built-in flashlight you can use with a simple swipe and tap.
Textbooks
In some ways, studying was a lot harder for college students of the past. They had no choice but to spend hundreds on textbooks and other classroom necessities. Now, websites like OpenStax and Project Gutenberg offer thousands of free e-textbooks and classic literature, making things a whole lot cheaper for everyone.
Language Learning
Remember when learning a new language meant spending a whole bunch of money on expensive classes or software? While they may not always be as comprehensive, free apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Busuu make it easy and fun to pick up a new language at your own pace for little to no money.
Audiobooks
Believe it or not, audiobooks were once considered a luxury purchase. Not anymore though, as many public libraries offer free access to audiobooks through apps like Libby and Hoopla. You can also find plenty of free audiobooks on platforms like Audible’s free section and YouTube.