Life moves quickly, and countless things we encounter every day disappear without us even noticing. Recently, men and women met in an online discussion to reveal everything that quietly went away over the years. Let’s raise a glass to the things that were once a big part of our lives and are now relics of a bygone era.
1. Toys in Cereal Boxes
Sadly, no toys are found in cereal boxes these days, and that’s a shame. Millions of childhoods in the 80s and 90s were marked by small plastic toys or stickers placed inside cereal boxes.
I distinctly remember being just as excited about the toys inside the boxes as the delicious cereal itself. Interestingly, the best toys were placed inside the sugariest cereals, as if kids needed another reason to beg their parents to buy them!
2. 3D Televisions
I feel bad for anyone who purchased a 3D television in the late 2010s. It was a technology that didn’t pan out in the long run. “My wife and I were talking about that the other day,” reveals one man.
“There have been several attempts to make 3D take off for decades, even generations, and it hasn’t gotten past the novelty stage. We were trying to figure out why there hadn’t been more buy-in and didn’t really come up with a good answer. She’s happy about it because she has a bad eye and because that 3D stuff doesn’t look right to her.”
3. McDonald’s Dollar Menu
Once upon a time, the McDonald’s dollar menu lived up to its name: Items only cost a dollar. I can’t express how much value a diner could find in a $1 McDonald’s double cheeseburger.
Thanks to the chain’s extensive dollar menu, McDonald’s created brand loyalty for an entire generation that still stands today.
4. The Taco Bell Dog
I last thought about the Taco Bell dog many years ago, and I am shocked so much time has passed since I last thought about it. The pup was featured in countless television advertisements and disappeared into thin air one day! “Taco Bell used to have a chihuahua as their mascot,” recalls one woman. “The little dude just disappeared one day, and anyone born after 2000 probably doesn’t even know what I am talking about.” I hope he’s enjoying puppy heaven these days.
5. Expansive Video Game Manuals
Every kid who grew up in the 80s remembers the feeling of opening a new video game and being overwhelmed by a larger-than-life manual that served to heighten your excitement. “I miss buying a new game and having a thick chunky manual filled with game lore which you would read before playing and heighten the anticipation of the game itself,” explains one gamer.
I remember my grandma buying me Halo 2 as a kid and then going to a furniture store, so I followed her around, reading the manual while she looked at furniture.”
6. Quiznos Restaurants
If you consider yourself an expert on American sandwich chain restaurants, you already know that Quiznos is the most delicious sandwich company a person can dine at.
Chains like Subway and Jersey Mike’s pale in comparison to Quiznos. Unfortunately, in the past 15 years, the general public has soured on Quiznos, forcing the company to close most of its locations. All but a few are gone.
7. Ownership of Tangible Things
When it comes to ownership of physical things, everything changed in a blink of an eye. Physical media has essentially become extinct, replaced with endless subscription services. “We used to pay money, and then the thing actually belonged to us,” laments one man. “Now everything is rented or leased. Everything is sold as a ‘service.’ Music as a service. Movies as a service. Software as a service. Even printer ink as a service. We spend and spend, and in the end, we hold nothing in our hands.”
8. Long Sports Highlights
I distinctly remember watching ESPN’s SportsCenter each morning as a kid in the early 90s for my fix of sports highlights. Each game had a few exciting minutes of highlights broadcast, and each segment captivated me.
Unfortunately, SportsCenter has changed in the modern era, and each game is allotted just a few seconds of highlights and statistics, a far cry from what it used to be.
9. The Term “Cyberspace”
During the early days of the internet, the world was filled with lexicon like “cyberspace,” “the information superhighway,” and “the world wide web.” These terms aren’t used today because, as a society, we’ve all adjusted to using the word “internet” as a catch-all to describe all online activity. I must be honest; much of the early web lingo was cringeworthy!
10. Telephone Books
There was a time when the mailman would deliver an overly-thick book filled with nothing but names, addresses, and phone numbers. Over time, however, due to privacy concerns and the advent of the internet, the yellow pages quickly went extinct.
There was no need for such a cumbersome book once the late 90s and early 2000s rolled around!
35 Proven Ways to Save Money Every Month
Many people believe it’s impossible to save money. Or, they think saving $20 or $50 a month won’t amount to much. Both are incorrect. There are many simple money-saving tips that can add up to big savings. You just have to start one, then another, to increase your savings.
Ways to Save Money Every Month
How to Watch Local TV Without Cable
Do you want your local networks, but don’t want to overspend for an expensive live service? You have options.
How to Watch Local TV Without Cable
11 Jobs That Pay $20+ an Hour and Don’t Require a Degree
A college diploma is terrific, but it’s not always necessary to earn a good living. Consult this guide to identify other ways to earn at least $20 an hour without a college degree.
Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour and Don’t Require a Degree
How to Multiply Your Money
Get-rich-schemes are typically scams. However, there are ways to truly grow your wealth. While not flashy, they can help you build real wealth.
Signs You’re Financially Stable
Financial stability is the foundation to achieving financial freedom. Learn how financially stable you are and where you can improve.
33 Signs You’re Financially Stable
This thread inspired this post.
Related
