The only permanent thing is change. Unfortunately, change (as in metal coinage) is becoming obsolete, which can also be said of paper currency. For the moment, vending machines still accept dollar bills and change. Those of us who champion tradition can learn to appreciate and embrace new forms of payment as our world moves ever closer towards an innovative horizon. Today, iPhones and smartphones are omnipresent. These devices were not yet in existence some 30 years ago. Back during the (early) 1980’s, a glass bottle of Coke costed 25 cents in some areas. Convenience stores charge roughly six times that much for a 20 ounce now. Today, sodas in glass bottles are still available, but for the most part, plastics have become the norm. In addition to the transformations which have occurred regarding the types of materials used in containers for beverages, payment types, too, have advanced. In the past (and the present) people were apprehensive about the prospect of carrying around cash. Money can be lost or stolen. Now, the convenience of using debit cards, phone applications, and other ways of purchasing goods and services are replacing the old ways.
What is the “micro market?” This is a term associated with the use of smaller storefronts, kiosks, and other machines in the vending industry. It can also refer to a miniature convenience store inside of an office or other business. The arrival of these new vending machines and innovations is most welcomed, although it may raise the question as to why it took so long to become common. Among other advantages, newer methods of payment (i.e. electronic forms) are a relief for those of us who carry imperfect dollar bills that are rejected by the machines of yesterday. Remember how frustrating it was to keep trying to insert paper money, only to be repeatedly rejected? Many of us don’t want tangible money to just vanish altogether, but the reality is that it may be on its way out. As long as there are debit fees, yard sales, and businesses that only accept cash, paper and metal currency will remain. There is a silver lining to all of this. We can view these changes as opportunities for growth, all the while keeping our eyes on the goals of the future. As simple as it is, having diverse ways to buy goods and services makes life easier and a little more enjoyable for everyone.
