You could always hope that your fellow carpool folks will be willing to pay for real time traffic updates
See post 52. Some GPS devices have the traffic updates built in, some charge a monthly fee. But for people who purport to scrimp and save, a monthly fee on top of the price of a GPS would probably be a turnoff.
I just do not see any correlation between use of technology and being frugal or in general term, the lifestyle.
As somebody mentioned correctly, it is a matter of priority. When I am with somebody somewhere, I prefer to actually be with these people and notice surroundings and enjoy both. This is not the case with somebody whose phone is basically an integral part of this person body, they attend to this part with much higher diligence than I would say even the hunger or any other functions of the human body, When I watch what is going on, I basically feel sorry, I simply do not want this type of life, I do not need to know every single breathing moments in other’s lives, why do I care, I love to be left alone and enjoy people who are around me at the moment and enjoy my surroundings. I asked my daughter NOT to take her phone when we are going for a walk.
If a person doesn’t want to pay for a monthly data plan, they can use a map for directions or print a mapquest map, and listen to the radio for traffic reports. Saves them money. If that is their priority, so be it. In order to be with someone and socialize, you often have to get there, and if you are significantly late due to unknown traffic problems, that detracts from the time with others. I will often use my google map or apple map or waze app when I am alone in the car even if I know the route, to see the most efficient way to travel. Gets me where I need to go and to whom I am planning to be with. Its not a matter of being tethered to technology- its using technology to maximize time with others. I also love waze for travel as it alerts to the location of police on the road, etc. Very handy.
MOWC–I did not “brag” about being untethered to technology or social media. Clearly, I use it. What I said was that there is a tendency to let it shape what’s the norm, what’s expected of others, so that if, say, someone’s mom or spouse or friend doesn’t “keep up” , it’s some sort of character flaw, and their fault if they are now out of the loop.
And yes, when phones were invented, learning how to “use” one made a difference, too. But we are not talking about a single technology that was essentially unchanged for a hundred years. We are talking about a constantly moving bar, that dictates over and over what is expected of people, at least as clearly explained in a couple posts upthread.
@MiamiDAP I do and that is the point of this thread. Be frugal means you get the basics, in my opinion, so one will be on a distance from the latest. As the gap getting bigger, one may get left behind.
On the other hand, I agree that it is a personal choice sometimes. It is not, in the case when one has to pick food over a smart phone.
Google Map gives free realtime traffic update and suggests different routes in the middle of the course.
I belong to the last group of people adopting smartphones. I bought my phone last summer. I think it helps me a lot.
this is not the choice most posters here including you DadII, are having to make. Its irrelevant and disengenuous. Having realtime traffic updates can help you when you are on your way to a meeting with your personal financial planner and/or investment advisor/private banker you have spoken of.
google maps can suck sometimes though.
Recently, when a major road was blocked for nine hrs, it kept trying to tell me to get further into the gridlock.
I only got past it, by going in the opposite direction initially and getting way over to a totally different route, which I only knew about because I knew the area, ( or if I had a map)
How are the car based location services with traffic?
http://consumerist.com/2015/03/26/truck-full-of-salmon-turns-over-on-highway-blocks-traffic-for-9-hours/
As was mentioned in post # 66, Google maps will consistently update and provide the fastest route. If there was no other route that would be faster, it would direct the driver to continue.