As we look back on the skills we’ve honed over the decades, it’s impossible not to marvel at how much has changed. From writing checks to dialing rotary phones, baby boomers grew up with a unique set of skills that seemed essential at the time. But with the rapid pace of technology and society’s constant evolution, some of those skills will likely be phased out in the next decade. While these skills served us well, the reality is that by 2030, they may no longer be necessary—replaced by innovations we never even imagined when we first mastered them. So, let’s take a look at the skills we grew up with and wonder how much longer they’ll still be in our toolkits.
1. Using a Rotary Phone
Rotary phones were once the epitome of communication technology. As kids, we spent hours getting the perfect rhythm down on those chunky dials, memorizing phone numbers, and making sure our hands moved just fast enough. But with smartphones now being ubiquitous, the rotary phone has long been retired. In fact, even landline phones are becoming obsolete as more and more households rely solely on mobile devices. The process of dialing a number using a circular dial has already faded into the background of history.
By 2030, rotary phones and the ability to use them will be nothing but a distant memory, like the typewriter or the telegram. As technology continues to advance, and touchscreens and voice-activated commands take over, there won’t be a reason to remember this quirky skill anymore. Unless you’re visiting a museum exhibit, using a rotary phone will likely become something your grandkids can’t even begin to imagine.
2. Reading a Paper Map
Before GPS, paper maps were essential to any road trip or adventure. We all remember the struggle of unfolding a large map while sitting in the passenger seat, trying to make sense of convoluted directions with tiny print. We would trace routes with our fingers, praying we wouldn’t miss a turn. Today, smartphones and in-car GPS systems make paper maps nearly obsolete. You can now get directions at the touch of a button, and the whole experience is way less stressful.
By 2030, paper maps may not even be found in cars anymore. With advancements in augmented reality and smart glasses, navigation will be completely hands-free and immersive. No more fumbling with a crumpled, outdated map—just let the technology guide you.
3. Writing Checks
For decades, writing checks was a staple of personal finance. You wrote a check for groceries, rent, and just about anything else that wasn’t cash. We knew the drill: write the date, fill out the payee, the amount, and sign the bottom—making sure to keep the checkbook balanced. But with the rise of digital banking, mobile payments, and instant transfers, writing checks is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
In 2030, checks could be as obsolete as the horse and buggy. Online banking, PayPal, Venmo, and even cryptocurrencies have made writing physical checks a cumbersome and outdated method of financial exchange. Even the youngest generations can’t fathom why anyone would bother with this old-school practice when it’s so much easier to just tap your phone.
4. Using a VCR
In the 80s and 90s, VCRs were the must-have tech item. We’d spend weekends renting movies, making sure we set the timer for recordings, and trying our best to rewind tapes before returning them to Blockbuster. The joy of watching a movie on VHS, complete with the loud tracking noise or the frustration of a tape getting chewed up, was part of the experience. But by 2030, physical media will likely be all but gone. Streaming services have taken over, and digital downloads make owning a tangible copy of a movie seem outdated.
VCRs already feel like an ancient relic, and as streaming platforms and smart TVs continue to dominate, using a VCR will be a skill that’s left behind. The process of managing tapes, rewinding, and trying to troubleshoot the machine when it doesn’t work just won’t be a part of anyone’s daily routine anymore.
5. Using a Fax Machine
Fax machines were once considered an office necessity. We’d send documents over the phone line, watching as the fax rolled out the paper with a satisfying hum. Whether it was sending legal contracts or simple memos, faxing was an everyday office skill. But now, email and cloud storage have made faxing feel like an unnecessary and time-consuming task. Scanning, emailing, or using electronic signatures are faster and more efficient ways of handling documents.
By 2030, fax machines might be completely phased out in favor of digital solutions. With paperless offices becoming more common, you won’t need to dust off that fax machine in your office corner or try to remember how to use it.
6. Using a Film Camera
Remember when you had to wait days or even weeks to get your photos developed? The excitement of picking up your film at the photo store and hoping you didn’t waste an entire roll of film was a rite of passage. But now, digital cameras and smartphones have replaced film photography. With immediate access to your photos and the ability to edit and share them instantly, the need for film cameras has plummeted.
By 2030, film cameras might be confined to museums or vintage enthusiasts’ collections. Even photography as a hobby has largely moved to digital platforms, with advanced phone cameras offering the same high-quality images without the hassle of developing film.
7. Typing on a Typewriter
There was a time when the sound of a typewriter clacking away was a sign of productivity. Whether for work, school assignments, or personal letters, the typewriter was the tool we all knew how to use. We learned to type quickly, making sure our fingers kept up with the rhythm of the keys. But now, computers and smartphones have made typewriters essentially obsolete.
By 2030, typewriters will likely be reserved for retro-themed coffee shops or collectors. Typing has transitioned to word processors that allow for easy editing, spell-checking, and formatting—something a typewriter never could. Writing a letter on a typewriter will soon be as quaint as sending a telegram.
8. Making Change Without a Calculator
For many of us, making change was a skill we perfected at the register. We had to do the math in our heads, calculating the total and quickly figuring out how much change to give back. While some still use this skill when they don’t have a calculator handy, more and more stores use point-of-sale systems that do all the math for you. The need to manually count change is becoming less necessary as automation takes over.
By 2030, most people will rely on automated checkout systems where everything is calculated digitally. The concept of counting out change in your head will likely be a forgotten skill, replaced by faster, more accurate methods of financial transactions.
9. Using a Rolodex
Before we had contact apps and smartphones, the Rolodex was the business person’s best friend. We’d flip through cards, each with a name, phone number, and sometimes an address—keeping everything neatly organized on our desks. But now, digital contact lists have replaced the physical Rolodex. Syncing contacts across devices has made the idea of flipping through paper cards obsolete.
By 2030, the Rolodex will be a distant memory. Cloud storage and digital address books will ensure we never have to worry about losing a contact again, making the old-fashioned method a charming but unnecessary relic.
10. Carrying Cash
Cash used to be king—whether it was paying for lunch, tipping your waitress, or handling transactions, we always had cash in our wallets. However, digital payments have made carrying cash more of an inconvenience. Mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Wallet allow people to pay for everything with just a tap of their phones.
By 2030, cash may become increasingly irrelevant. With banks pushing for contactless payment solutions and cryptocurrencies gaining popularity, carrying a few bills and coins in your pocket may seem like an unnecessary burden.
11. Dialing Up the Internet
Remember the sound of the dial-up modem, the agonizing wait to get online, and the thrill of hearing that “connection” noise? It was a rite of passage, but with the development of high-speed broadband and fiber optic internet, dial-up is practically nonexistent.
By 2030, it’ll be hard to even imagine that waiting-for-connection frustration. With instantaneous internet access and speeds that make dial-up look laughable, the skill of patiently waiting for a connection will be something future generations can’t even comprehend.
12. Maintaining a Landline Phone
The trusty landline phone was a staple in every home and office. You’d memorize numbers, spend hours on the corded phone, and even had the occasional argument about who was using the phone line. But now, cell phones have completely taken over, and landline phones are quickly becoming obsolete.
By 2030, landlines will be a thing of the past. Even if you keep one for nostalgic reasons, it’ll be hard to find a reason to use it when smartphones offer so much more functionality and portability.
The skills we developed and perfected throughout our lives shaped who we are, but the world keeps changing. By 2030, many of these practices may be replaced by newer technologies and easier methods. That doesn’t diminish their importance in our memories, but it’s a reminder that progress never stops. It’s time to embrace the future, even as we cherish the past.
