Does Your Tech Still Fit Your Season of Life?
Weekly Wheaties #2551
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: Does Your Tech Still Fit Your Season of Life?
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Streaming and Entertainment
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: AI Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: Roadtrip Wonders
📦 Featured Product: Don’t Get Got
📝 Does Your Tech Still Fit Your Season of Life?
On one of the podcasts I frequently listen to, Smart Money Happy Hour, they talked about How to Financially Survive Every Season of Life. This had me wanting to share some tech tips from some of the same areas of life. This will be more of a bulleted list of advice, more so than a longer essay, but in some cases, there are links to other newsletters diving a bit deeper where applicable. I may expound upon some specific points in a future newsletter, too! Enjoy!
High School
Remember, the internet doesn’t forget: assume anything posted online or shared with friends can and will resurface later — screenshots outlive “disappearing” posts or messages
Start basic password hygiene now: use unique passwords and use a password manager
Understand algorithms: what you watch, like, and comment on shapes your personal algorithm — feeds are not neutral
Backup, Backup, Backup: lost assignments and photos are often a lack-of-backup problem, not a tech failure
Own your data: it’s never too soon to start using personal email and cloud storage alongside school systems — access disappears after graduation.
Own your name: as much as possible, secure your “firstnamelastname@email.com” email and “firstnamelastname.com” domain name
College
Minimize public Wi-Fi use: avoid sensitive logins on open networks — use hotspots or VPNs when possible
Audit app permissions yearly: many apps collect more than they need, along with using up battery
Use calendar and To Do apps intentionally: one source of truth (Super-App?) beats five half-used tools
Learn basic cybersecurity literacy: phishing targets students heavily — financial aid scams are common, especially in email
Take notes: whether physically or digitally, take notes in every class and find a system that works for you
First Job
Separate work and personal tech: devices, accounts, browsers, “work” subscriptions/newsletters vs personal — mental and security boundaries matter and help stay organized
Treat company systems as monitored: because they are
Learn professional communication norms: email, chat, response timing
Create your own SOPs: notes, processes, and best practices to help future you (and your coworkers)
Don’t overshare on Social Media or in work chats: professionalism is cumulative
Dating
Align on digital boundaries early: location sharing, passwords, streaming services, etc.
Understand data visibility: calendars, photos, and social media expectations
Be cautious sharing logins: especially with financial apps (banks, Venmo, PayPal), email, and other accounts with personal information
Photos are emotional artifacts: cloud memories don’t know when relationships end, and consider taking family pictures with and without your date
Newlyweds
Create shared systems intentionally and early: calendars, finances/budget, photos — decide before habits form
Designate digital ownership: who manages bills, backups, subscriptions
Merge and share passwords: another reason why you need a password manager
Backups become critical: taxes, legal docs, photos, and redundancy matters (3-2-1 rule)
Protect your online purchases: especially larger amounts or from smaller sites
Marriage
Audit subscriptions annually: if not intentionally tracked, it’s easy to spend and wonder where it went
Plan for account continuity: lost devices, illness, or death shouldn’t lock someone out of essentials
Automate the boring: reminders, chores, softwares, your home tech
Revisit privacy choices: what felt fine early may not later
Married with Kids
Monitor your screen time: kids learn norms by watching, not listening
Delay tech, not forever-ban it: maturity matters more than age
Use parental controls as guardrails, not babysitters
Organize your life: for you and the kids — just all the things…
Empty Nesters
Simplify your digital life: fewer apps, fewer accounts, fewer notifications, minimal phones?
Reclaim privacy: review social media, location sharing, and data brokers
Digitize important records: with secure, shared access for trusted family; backup, backup, backup
Watch for targeted scams: this demographic is heavily targeted, both IRL and online
Use tech to stay connected intentionally: quality beats constant availability
Obviously, not every tip is intended solely for a specific season. So be sure to review everything before setting your calendars and reminders for the future. However, all that said — what’s missing?
🗞️ ICYMI: Streaming and Entertainment
Warner Bros. is still trying to decide what to do… currently, they plan to Reject Paramount Bid on Funding, Terms, while demanding Larry Ellison’s personal guarantee. There appear to be concerns of not only the adequacy of the offer, but also the overvaluation and uncertainty with regulatory approval. They prefer the existing agreement with Netflix, and feel obligated to give them a chance to match any superior proposal.
Netflix doesn’t seem to phased just yet, and is even trying to Help Save the American Mall. They have opened permanent experiential retail spaces called Netflix House, merging movie theater, retail, and immersive experiences themed around popular shows like “Stranger Things.”
In other entertainment news, The Oscars are heading to YouTube in 2029, Instagram Debuts Dedicated Television App for Amazon Fire TV, and TikTok signs agreement to create new U.S. joint venture.
🗞️ ICYMI: AI Headlines
Amazon’s new Alexa+ feature adds conversational AI to Ring doorbells
Google releases Gemini 3 Flash, promising improved intelligence and efficiency
OpenAI Has Discussed Raising Tens of Billions at Valuation Around $750 Billion
Purdue University Approves New AI Requirement For All Undergrads
😎 POTW: Roadtrip Wonders
As you are potentially on the road this Christmas season, make sure you know How to Pack Your Car Like a Pro for a Winter Road Trip. Alternatively, if you plan to continue shopping and have your car parked a lot, you may also want to consider shopping for a new vehicle due to a New Study: Birds Are Most Likely to Poop on This One Type of Car. All else fails, how about some simple roadtrip wonders:
📦 Featured Product
Maybe not so much of a tech product, but if you’re looking to have a bit of fun at your next friend or family gathering, consider playing Don’t Get Got. Put simply, you must complete missions without getting caught. This game can be played in the background while the group is doing something else or even playing other games. There are a few variations available, too, including the Outdoor, Night Out, and Travel editions. You can even create your own missions to make it uniquely yours!
