DING! DONG! The ringing bell rattles through the front hall of your California home and into the rest of your house. On your way to answer the door, you pass a paper calendar with the heading of March 2012, reminding you of Jimmy’s soccer practice, Kathleen’s track meet, and Cory’s school play. At last, arriving at the front door, you swing it open to find a brown-sashed fourth grader, advertising Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, and more delicious cookies. The young Girl Scout tells you of the different cookies and shares with you the price: $4 a box. You pay her in cash, the only form of payment a Girl Scout can accept, and she continues down the sidewalk to knock on the next door.

DING! DONG! The ringing bell rattles through your front hall and into the rest of your house. On your way to answer the door, your Alexa reminds you that today, March 8, 2019, you need to take Kathleen graduation dress shopping. At last, arriving at the front door, you swing it open to find a FedEx box dumped onto the porch. Your dog barks behind you, and you are reminded she needs a walk. Turning off of your neighborhood corner, onto a busier intersection, you are met with a plastic white folding table stacked with colored boxes, labeled S’mores, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites, and more.  You approach the table to make your purchase. The young Girl Scouts share with you the price: $5 a box. You type in the Venmo username found on the flyer taped to the table, make your transaction, and continue walking the dog.