Go cashless at your own safe pace

We are on a continuing trend toward online services and a cashless society. But some older Canadians are finding it difficult to navigate this new economic environment.

We now see a continuing trend to downsize bank branches, reduce staff and completely pull out of some markets our banks feel are underperforming.

Small urban communities have been hit the hardest, pushing more customers toward a digital format to make it more cost efficient for the bank and hopefully easier for the consumer.

Some retirees have embraced this new era with enthusiasm and have quickly adopted a new age of texting, banking and shopping online. More than any other time in history, we are seeing our seniors between the ages of 64 and 71 use technology more often year over year. With a quick swipe on your phone, you can easily access information, order products and services, or connect with people faster than ever.

So why are some seniors still resisting?

Sometimes affordability, availability, lack of instruction or confidence, and even the perceived need seems to account for the decision to avoid technology. Our seniors grew up in a different era of face-to-face contact and snail mail, and evolving to a new digital world can be daunting. But with more services every day switching to online formats, we must jump in now or be forever left behind.

Adapting to change is always difficult. Start slowly and take your time to learn. Join a computer class or, better yet — have a computer learning party for your friends — virtually, for now — and invite someone young join in to teach.

Remember that there are many benefits to learning new things and you should never let your age define you. You don’t have to be a tech-whiz like the young, but you can be an adept and resourceful senior that is definitely “in the know.”

You will feel more confident, smarter, empowered and most of all, connected. You’ve got this!

Christine Ibbotson is the author of How To Retire Debt Free & Wealthy and the new book Don’t Panic: How to Manage Your Finances and Financial Anxieties During and After Coronavirus.