# Things You Still Do The Old-Fashioned Way **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2015, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684 "2015-01-01T16:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/21 "2015-01-01T18:55:54Z")
Whenever I take photographs, I use a camera with film, which I take in to be developed. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/22 "2015-01-01T19:33:38Z")
pay my bills by check and post office mail ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/23 "2015-01-01T19:50:58Z")
I love my Franklin Covey planner. I usually put my appointments in my planner and on my phone, but nothing quite beats having a task list and being able to physically cross things off of it. I also like having a kitchen garden. I’m not great about growing in the winter, but I’m hoping I’ll be more disciplined because I hate going to the supermarket and buying these half-brown, tasteless herbs for $5.00 per handful. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/24 "2015-01-01T20:03:42Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You kids and your trendiness. Metal tools are a fad. I still knap my own flint tools when I want to build a bow and arrow. If it was good enough for my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, it’s good enough for me. You have my greatest admiration, if knapping was not so addictive I would get into it. of my best friends are knappers. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/25 "2015-01-01T20:05:44Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > And hopefully your plants are not GMOs. :eek: John, why don’t you start a thread and tell us a bit about the process? They grow all over out here in So Cal. I would love to try that. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/26 "2015-01-01T20:12:08Z")
I rake leaves and broom snow, too. My handwriting is inbetween cursive and print. I bike and walk everywhere, and get four days groceries on my bicycle, too ( large saddle bags) . ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/27 "2015-01-01T20:14:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I don’t use a computer-- that whole internet thing is just a fad. > > I write on paper, but only paper that I make myself (from papyrus plants a raise in my garden), with ink I make from dried berries and horse dung, and a quill from the feathers of geese I raise myself. They’re a special breed of geese that I’d mention, but you’ve never heard of them. I question your veracity. :dubious: I still do the paper calendar/paper shopping lists thing, too - I write down things in the kitchen as I realize they’e needed, instead of going to my computer, making a Text document, printing it out, revising it, print again, etc. etc. The calendar, as people have said, is so much easier to see at a glance whenever I’m walking through the kitchen. The electronic calendars have their uses - set a birthday or something for a yearly reminder, and done forever, but so do the wall calendars. I do the majority of our cooking from scratch now, but that’s mostly because we’re trying to reduce our sodium, and you can’t really eat pre-made food and get low sodium. Both of our cars are stickshifts - that might change when it comes time to replace the Corolla (the Mustang we plan to drive for a long, long time) if something like a paddleshifter makes sense at that point, or we decide to go electric. I also line dry clothes - that seems like a bit of a no-brainer to me, if you have the space and time. Its easier on the clothes, and it costs you nothing at all in in energy costs. I’m another paper book reader, too - I’m seeing reports that e-readers actually interfere with sleeping patterns, and I always read before going to bed. I think I’ll stick with paper books for now. I resisted texting, but I do it regularly now. It is so easy to send my husband a text throughout the day while he’s at work. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/28 "2015-01-01T20:42:01Z")
I don’t own a blender or an electric mixer, mainly because I can never justify the expense of buying either when there’s very little I can’t do without them. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/29 "2015-01-01T21:14:39Z")
I use a hand cranked can opener. I get online by waving my abacus over a smokey fire. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/30 "2015-01-01T22:05:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yes, a paper calender is so much quicker. One glance and I know my appointments. Much faster than opening a calendar app. > > Still write my grocery list on a scrap of paper. Still use post it notes. I got 5 stuck to my monitor now. > > Most of my transactions are for cash. CC is for big purchases over $30. I use both a paper calendar and my computer for significant appointments that are a few months away (e.g. dental/medical checkups). Unimportant ones I just tell my computer about. I always write my grocery list down, because I have a stupidphone rather than a smartphone, i.e. a small cell phone that you flip open and can’t do a lot besides phone people with (you can text, but it’s painful). I’m still happy with my stupidphone. I like paying for small purchases that I’m not thinking about with cash. For me it promotes self-discipline. If I suddenly realize I am out of cash a lot faster than I expected to be it makes me think about WTF I spent that money on so fast. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/31 "2015-01-01T22:19:11Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I wrap my husbands lunch sandwiches in wax paper, exactly the way your Gran did, back in the day. You should add to your list that you make your husband’s lunch - I don’t know anyone who still does that (and I think you’re awesome for it)! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/32 "2015-01-01T22:25:49Z")
I do paper calendars and paper shopping lists. I always have a pen in my pocket, so I can jot something down quickly if I need to. I still read paper books–heck, I still buy them. There is something about reading a bound book, and turning the pages, that I like. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/33 "2015-01-01T22:31:31Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I get online by waving my abacus over a smokey fire. I’m posting this on a Dixie Cup on a string. 😃 I actually do hand mount my tires for most of my vehicles. Its actually incredibly easy. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/34 "2015-01-01T22:34:38Z")
When shaving, I use a mug & brush with bar shaving soap. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/35 "2015-01-01T22:42:40Z")
There is always a Swiss watch on my wrist—the cool kids just use their phone these days. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/36 "2015-01-01T22:45:44Z")
A nice watch is definitely cooler than a cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/37 "2015-01-01T22:48:49Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Line-dry laundry and peel my own vegetables. And i make hot cocoa with real cocoa powder, not the nesquick mixes. I’m not sure the hot cocoa thing should count. The mixes are markedly inferior. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/38 "2015-01-01T22:56:55Z")
I bake nearly all the bread I use. I do use yeast, but I am thinking about starting my own sponge. I grow vegetables all summer. Last year I planted potatoes and was surprised how many I got. Tomatoes of course, basil (really good; my wife has a half dozen packages of frozen pesto base from them, aside from what we used fresh), and beans. I used to build furniture, but to be honest, used power tools (drill, saber saw, router). My wife cooks a lot from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/39 "2015-01-01T23:13:01Z")
I have Daytimers\* going back to the 1980s; it’s neat seeing what I was up to then. My cell phone records won’t be available to me in 30 years. I still use a Daytimer, even though I also use my phone for alarms, alerts, basic scheduling and so on. But I still rely more on my Daytimer, plus it supports doodles and random thoughts better, plus won’t be obliterated if I leave my phone out in the rain. \*A Daytimer is a real-world, day-to day, paper bound book \ where you keep track of calendars, dates, notes, etc. With a \ pen or pencil. Mostly though, modern technology trumps old-school methods. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684/40 "2015-01-01T23:17:46Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I’m not sure the hot cocoa thing should count. The mixes are markedly inferior. I’ll see that cocoa powder and raise it. I use sticks of cocoa which you boil and then add coconut milk which I’ll make grating coconut, mixing it with water and straining through a cloth. It’s fairly normal here, you can also buy coconut milk powder and use that. I toast my bread in a beaten up frying pan so as to get the required combo of burn and dried out that you just can’t get from a toaster. Is there some newfangled way of making tea that doesn’t involve brewing? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-still-do-the-old-fashioned-way/708684.md?page=3)