Okay, this is really old school here.
Do you remember the old days when you had a car key, stuck it in the ignition, and there it stayed until you turned off the car?
And now?
You get a fob and need to find a place to put it while you’re driving. Then it falls into some inconvenient crevice, and you spend half an hour upside down, searching under car seats.
Tell me I’m not the only one who misses a simple slot to stick the car key!
Oh, and if you happen to lose the fob, any idea how much a replacement costs? Often well over $100, and sometimes with a long lead time.
So misplacing keys is easier than ever, and replacing them is harder than ever.
This is where I’m letting technology work for me.
Bluetooth Trackers
I purchased a set of Apple-compatible Bluetooth trackers—basically generic AirTags. Hub set them up so both his keys and mine are associated with our iPhones and iPads.
If we misplace our keys, we simply use the Find My app and let technology help track them down. That’s a lot of peace of mind for under $25.
And speaking of the Find My app, there’s another little trick I love.
Instead of walking into every room of the house looking for my phone (which is likely sitting under the laundry basket), I can use the app on another Apple device to locate it.
I recently left my phone at an appointment and was able to contact the office using my iPad and retrieve it.
I still felt like an idiot for leaving my phone, but, well, this is a solutions post. I hope that if you’re ever in a similar situation, you’ll remember that I found an easy remedy.
Siri: My Personal Assistant
I have enabled voice control on my iPhone and iPad. Instead of fiddling with buttons or hunting for the right utility, I can use my voice to perform certain tasks.
For example, I can ask Siri to turn on my flashlight or set a cooking timer while my hands are otherwise occupied.
I also use voice commands for everyday tasks that would otherwise require me to stop what I’m doing and navigate through menus.
One of my favorite tricks is asking Siri to add something to my calendar.
Have an appointment? A lunch date with a friend? Need to remember that the repairman is coming Tuesday morning?
I simply ask Siri to add it to my calendar. For example, “Hey Siri, add lunch with Mary to my calendar for Thursday at noon.”
She can create the event without my having to stop what I’m doing, open the Calendar app, tap the little plus sign, and fill in all the details.
And here’s why I especially like this: if someone tells me about an appointment while we’re talking on the phone, I can get it onto my calendar right then and there. No more telling myself I’ll add it later and then wondering why I didn’t.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate anything that saves me a few steps. And when I’m in the middle of preparing dinner, having a timer available by voice is particularly convenient.
I’m still discovering what else Siri can do, but I’m happy to let her handle the little things.
GPS: Even When I Know Where I’m Going
Even if I’m traveling only 10 miles down the interstate, I use a navigation app.
Why? Because knowing where you’re going and knowing what traffic is doing are two entirely different things.
Being able to avoid a traffic jam or navigate around one of the never-ending road construction closures has saved me so much time and aggravation.
Navigation apps can also provide alerts about certain road hazards, including debris reported ahead. I appreciate any warning that gives me time to pay attention and respond safely.
I may know the route, but I don’t necessarily know what’s waiting around the next bend.
Smart Speakers: Thanks, but No Thanks
Full disclosure: I don’t use one anymore.
We’ve had Alexa and an Echo Dot, and eventually we got rid of both. I know plenty of people love the convenience, but the creepy factor was just a little too much for me personally.
In fact, sometimes Siri listens a little more than I’m comfortable with.
I’m not suggesting that everyone should feel the same way. If a smart speaker makes your life easier, by all means, enjoy it.
But I decided that the convenience wasn’t worth it for me.
Smart Plugs: The Jury Is Still Out
I think smart plugs are a terrific idea in theory. If you have Christmas lights, lamps, or other suitable devices you’d like to switch on and off on a schedule, they can be very handy.
But for us? I’m not convinced.
Having to pull out my phone, open an app, and navigate to the right control just to turn on our pergola lights is more trouble than I like.
For me, the old-fashioned switch wins.
Technology should simplify life, not give us one more thing to manage.
Other easy ways I have found to simplify every chores here.
Smart Garage Door Openers: A Work in Progress
Have you ever driven around the block just to double-check that you closed your garage door?
Me too!
We have the myQ garage door system, which can let us check the door’s status and, with compatible equipment and setup, control it remotely.
John had a lot of trouble getting ours set up and eventually managed to activate it on his phone.
It never worked properly on mine.
So guess who’s still driving around the block to double-check?
Yep. Me.
I love the idea of being able to check the garage door from my phone. I just haven’t managed to make it work consistently enough to trust it.
I’ll keep you posted if we ever get this little technological miracle sorted out.
ChatGPT: A Surprisingly Useful Helper
I’ve mentioned before how much AI has enhanced my everyday life.
From helping me think through recipes and meal ideas to suggesting seasonal decorating ideas, ChatGPT has become a useful tool in my everyday routine.
I know I’m not using its full potential. There’s probably a whole world of helpful things I haven’t discovered yet.
But that’s part of the fun. I can ask a question, explore an idea, work through a problem, or get help organizing my thoughts without having to figure everything out on my own.
And for someone who writes a blog, experiments in the kitchen, and enjoys making her home feel just right, that can be a pretty handy assistant.
No, it doesn’t replace my judgment or my own ideas. It just gives me another way to get things done.
The Bottom Line
I’m all for technology that saves me time, helps me find things, or makes everyday life a little easier.
But I’m equally happy to say no to technology that creates more work than it saves.
I don’t need every new gadget. I don’t need to automate every light in the house. And I certainly don’t need another app that requires a password I will promptly forget.
I’m interested in the things that genuinely make life better.
How have you embraced technology to make your life easier? Please share if you’ve found something that works particularly well.
Or tell me about the gadget you bought that turned out to be more trouble than it was worth.
I’m most certainly at the age where I’ll take every bit of help I can get!
And, as always, I thank you for being here and may God bless you and yours.
