“Keeping up with the Joneses” has never been important to us. We may not have the latest and greatest gizmo or doodad and we’re okay with that. (As former IT people, we will never use Alexa or Google voice-activated devices.) When we do get some sort of new-to-us bells and whistles we’re a bit like kids with a new toy.

When we purchased Ruby, The Big Red Truck, we were excited to have a back-up/rear view camera and heated seats. (I thought heated seats were stupid until I actually tried them.) I particularly love having lane assist; Kenn hates the lane assist because it beeps at him all the time. (He tends to “wander” while he drives.) Daisy, our Subaru Outback, added a heated steering wheel, heated side-view mirrors, heated and cooling seats, and push-button start.

No longer needing a key to drive was a game changer – and not always in a positive way. Leaving home wasn’t a problem – lock the front door, drop my keys in my purse, and go about my day. Returning home never went as smoothly. Push the button to turn off Daisy, lock the car, and head to the house – usually with my hands/arms full – only to realize that I needed my keys, which were still in my purse. Getting my keys out entailed juggling whatever I was carrying while getting my purse open and digging my keys out. It didn’t help that I am one of those people who insists on carrying everything in one trip.

Our son and daughter-in-law installed an electronic combination lock on their house and it made a world of difference when we were helping them move. We didn’t need a physical key and if they weren’t home, we didn’t need to wait on them, we could just use the combination to get in. I decided we needed to make the switch as well. But, Kenn doesn’t adjust to change as easily as I do so I have to open a topic of discussion, such as switching locks, and give him time to think on it for a while. (Or to decide it was his idea.🙄) The idea grew on Kenn and we did our research and decided on a Kwikset brand lock. We’ve used Kwikset door knobs and keyed locks for years and didn’t see any need to change from a good thing.

The change has been wonderful! We can create different combinations for different people and the app lets us know who is unlocking/locking the door. I’m thrilled that I no longer have to leave a physical key outside for the pet-sitter when we travel. We also have the added capability of locking/unlocking the door via the Kwikset app. We should have done this ages ago!

Do you use keyed locks or electronic one? Do you carry everything in one trip?