8 Household Items Every Family Had in the Early 2000s

Millennials have seen a lot of changes throughout their lifetimes, some more noticeable than others. Changes like security and tech after the 9/11 attacks were jarring enough to be unforgettable, but things that changed slowly have faded from memory. It's only when we're reminded of the way things used to be that we realize how much has changed.

In the Y2K era, some things seemed essential to our daily lives. We can look back on the obsolete electronics and outdated household items with both nostalgia and cringe. Though society has moved beyond most of these items, they were things every family had in the early 2000s.

1. Home Computer
2. Thick Big-Screen TV
3. DVD/VCR
4. Binder of CDs and DVDs
5. Cordless Home Phone
6. Answering Machine
7. Phone Books
8. AOL Free Trial CDs

Home Computer

Nowadays, families have several different computers in the house. Laptops, desktops, and tablets can be found everywhere, but in the early 2000s, computers were still phasing from luxuries to common electronics. Homes had one computer shared by the entire family, usually in its own "computer room." Some families even had schedules of when each member got to use the computer. Others fought over access to the internet versus using the phone. It was a crazy time.

Thick Big-Screen TV

When someone said they had a home theater in the 2000s, one of these bulky monstrosities was often what they were talking about. We all felt so cool being able to watch TV and movies on such a big screen, but it was a hassle trying to get the big wooden entertainment center of the '90s out of the house to fit in a giant, rear-projection TV.

DVD/VCR

Another feat of ingenuity that came about during the early 2000s was the combination DVD-and-VHS player. Most families were transitioning to DVDs, but still had a hefty library of VHS tapes, so it made sense to sell these combo DVD/VCRs. You were able to watch your classic Disney tapes and new favorites like Finding Nemo, all on one machine.

Binder of CDs and DVDs

Ah, the zip-up binder filled with our physical media. Every family had at least one of these, though most likely had a few around the house. In the age of burning CDs and DVDs, we needed some place to put all those discs without cases. And the "pirating movies is wrong" PSAs became a big thing after people started renting Netflix movies that came in the mail, just to burn a copy and add it to their binder, after labeling it with a Sharpie, of course.

Cordless Home Phone

Cordless home phones actually started making their way to the masses in the '80s, but it wasn't until the late '90s that everyone had ditched the cords. The early 2000s were when the feeling of losing your phone in the couch cushions first became universally understood. Thankfully, most cordless home phones had buttons to press on the base that would cause the phone to ring or beep so you could find it.

Answering Machine

Before everyone had cell phones and could receive voicemail privately, there were answering machines. It was incredibly nerve-wracking to leave a message on your crush's answering machine knowing their entire family could hear it. It was also mortifying to be on the receiving end of an embarrassing message as the answering machine loudly announced it to the whole house. It was a brutal time to be a teen or tween.

Phone Books

Somewhere near the cordless phone base and the answering machine, you'd find a thick, yellow or white book of newsprint paper that seemingly listed all of the telephone numbers you could ever need. The Yellow Pages was a directory for businesses, and the White Pages listed residential home addresses and phone numbers. They were honestly on their way out in the 2000s, but most families didn't get rid of them, "just in case."

AOL Free Trial CDs

Younger generations just cannot wrap their heads around the fact that the internet used to come on a CD in the mail. Honestly, if we hadn't lived it, we probably wouldn't believe it either, but AOL CDs containing a connection to the internet were as prolific as credit card offers are today. AOL's free trial software was mailed out so often that 50% of all CDs of the time were these internet trial discs. It's no wonder these littered family computer rooms!

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