Do you consider the Internet a necessity?

[luvthemouse71]

I consider it a necessity. I'm getting my BSN degree and I take my classes online. I also utilize email much more than snail mail.

I work it into my budget along with my cell phone, which is another necessity(I take call)

 

[luvthemouse71]

I have a college education and did it without the internet. We had books back then! As far as natural or unnatural disasters we have TVS. We r a spoiled group of whining babies. As for me the internet is NOT a necessity. Informative yes, entertaining yes but would not die without one. TYVM.

Let me guess...you also walked 10 miles to school barefoot in the snow too..

Seriously, I think it's also a generational thing-many(not all) older people are technophobes. They're almost afraid of technology. I work with nurses like this and it's a PITA.

 

[charming23]

I would give up a lot before giving up the internet. I use it to network for jobs, apply for jobs, take online classes, and so much more.

 

[a1tinkfans]

If you had to cut the budget-would it be the last thing to go?

We have to be connected-that is how DH communicates, and works for his company.
But also use for banking, booking airline, vacations research, trips etc
I can not imagine not having it.


After I texted SIL to check out her Daughter-in -law's video on Facebook of her grandson -My SIL-mid 50's= texted me that she didnt have internet-couldnt afford it. I was floored that her finances were that tight.

well I need it for work so for me, not an option.
At least your sil is being responsible and I am sure it was no an easy decision to cut herself off...
and things are good out there?????????????

 

[mikkishelles]

The internet is an absolute necessity for me. I run an online travel agency, so most of my income is generated through my website. I also take online classes (completing my marketing degree), and I would be unable to do that without the internet. I think we pay ~$20 per month; it's part of our Verizon FIOS package (phone, internet, TV).

 

[indimom]

It's a luxury in our house, but it's the last one I would give up. You could have the cable, cell phones and every other extra before I would give up the internet. I get all my news and most of my entertainment online.

BUT, if it came down to it we would give it up. Our public library is only three blocks away and we could access it there. It would just be a PITA.

 

[Keli]

Not a necessity at all in our home but very much used and apprecited as far a luxuries go. We'd cut a lot of other things before we'd cut our Internet services including not eating out and trimming down vacations. But it doesn't come before basic household needs, food, shelter, clothing, utilities, vehicles and gas, and bills, the things we need to pay to survive and remain gainfully employed.

 

[GinnyEmma]

You couldn't now. I'm sure there's not a college in the country you could graduate from without being able to use the internet; Nor should you, they're supposed to be preparing you for a job and most jobs are going to require it too.

Exactly. My sons are required to be connected. In their case they are provided with the connection and laptops.

My husband and I are both required to have internet and internet capable cell phones also for our jobs. So to provide the true necessities of a roof and meals these new fangled gadgets are necessities.

Yes, we lived happy lives before them, but the convenience is wonderful. When I went to college 3000 miles from home I was terribly homesick. My sons can text us, and skype with their friends around the country. How cool is that?

 

[englishteacha]

It's a "must" in this household. I'm in grad school and taking classes online. My husband is a self-employed IT consultant. My gradebook for the classes I teach are all web-based. We live in a rural area so a lot of shopping is done online, as well as most of our communication with friends and family far away.

We were without internet for 5 days last week because our ISP upgraded the system and didn't send us a new modem. It was awful. DH couldn't do most of his work, I couldn't do schoolwork, and I couldn't post my grades. We spent a lot of time at McD's the next town over and drank a lot of $1 sodas! We only have one laptop so while he was doing his thing I went next door and browsed at Rite Aid.

I would cut out cell phones, satellite TV, and eating out before I gave up the internet.

 

[scrapquitler]

If you had to cut the budget-would it be the last thing to go?

We have to be connected-that is how DH communicates, and works for his company.
But also use for banking, booking airline, vacations research, trips etc
I can not imagine not having it.


After I texted SIL to check out her Daughter-in -law's video on Facebook of her grandson -My SIL-mid 50's= texted me that she didnt have internet-couldnt afford it. I was floored that her finances were that tight.

I would get ride of cable, landline phone, my clothing budget and part of my grocery budget way before I'd even think of getting rid of the internet connection!

 

[sk!mom]

no. However, I don't want to even consider times being so tough that we'd let it go. It's actually one of our more affordable luxuries.

DH and I both have it at work so we could access it there for any personal business that needed to be done.

 

[Dziactor]

Internet is a must for me. Id cut cable tv before internet.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that Internet is at least close to being a necessity. It's hard to even apply for jobs without the 'Net and has anyone tried to use those dreadfully slow library PC's? It's a great tool for communication, research, ways to earn money, pay bills and yes, entertainment.

I think that I would cut a lot before Internet.

 

[bpesch]

The internet is a necessity for me. I have an Ebay business and bring in a nice income with it. So getting rid of the internet is not a possibility for me.

 

[taaren]

I have a college education and did it without the internet. We had books back then! As far as natural or unnatural disasters we have TVS. We r a spoiled group of whining babies. As for me the internet is NOT a necessity. Informative yes, entertaining yes but would not die without one. TYVM.

Lol. I wouldn't die without one but I couldn't finish my Master's. When I finished my B.A. in 2000 we were begging the profs to let us send in our assignments via e-mail, and they wanted paper. Fast forward 10 years and they will not accept papers anymore, e-mail and uploaded assignments only. Plus since the University is on another island, most of my course-load is taken either via Skype or Interactive Digital Teleconferencing at the local CC with people on 4 islands talking to the prof at the same time.
We don't have television/cable, haven't for my entire adult life. Got rid of the landline for about 6 years but then the current house where we're living (to be near my elderly grandparents) has terrible reception on the cells + one of my jobs needed a local number and our cell numbers are out of state since we've had those for over 10 years, so we broke down and added a land-line to our internet service for $15/month. We'd give up most things (including downgrading our cell service - love having the Smartphone but are well aware its a want and not a need) before giving up the Internet. Part of it is our generation, but partly it is how the world functions now.
I work in a library and constantly see people coming in that don't know how to use a computer/internet and are looking for new jobs. Almost every company they want to apply for no longer accepts paper applications, online only so HR can sift through applicants electronically. When my patrons don't even have an e-mail address, it takes them usually several days just to put in an online application and learn those basics ... internet access is a necessity now, and should not only be for those who can afford it, and the U.S. hasn't learned this lesson yet - other countries are well ahead of us in providing free/affordable high-speed Internet to all of their citizens. This is called the Digital Divide if you want to see what the academics have to say about it ...

 

[mikkishelles]

The internet is a necessity for me. I have an Ebay business and bring in a nice income with it. So getting rid of the internet is not a possibility for me.

You could probably watch your shows online, and not even miss having cable!

 

[honeydiane1953]

Let me guess...you also walked 10 miles to school barefoot in the snow too..

Seriously, I think it's also a generational thing-many(not all) older people are technophobes. They're almost afraid of technology. I work with nurses like this and it's a PITA.

Now the snow walking to school story sounds like my grand parents story. I do suppose I am older than you. The OP ask a ? and gave my opinion. The internet is not a necessity.

 

[Swan4Me]

Clothes r a must but what we take for granite are not HAVE TO HAVE things.

Sorry-this just cracked me up


Iis a necessity in many home for work related business-DH works from home via computer

 

[jodifla]

Now the snow walking to school story sounds like my grand parents story. I do suppose I am older than you. The OP ask a ? and gave my opinion. The internet is not a necessity.

You might think differently if having the Internet allowed you to keep your employment!!!

 

[mrsklamc]

Now the snow walking to school story sounds like my grand parents story. I do suppose I am older than you. The OP ask a ? and gave my opinion. The internet is not a necessity.

Only if you want a job or an education. My 14 year old nephew just got a job working at a fast food restaurant and was required to apply online. Yes, I suppose you could apply at the local library but when employers email back I'm sure part of what they are looking at is fastest response time- I would be.