2. DIGI CITIZEN
KELA
I haven’t used KELA’s online services many times myself. The last time was when I paid the health care fee for university students through the website. I also found a decision on sick leave compensation on the site, but my employer applied for it on my behalf. I have had a European KELA card for years.
OMAKANTA
In OmaKanta, you can view information related to your health and treatment. Your information is displayed in OmaKanta just as it is recorded in social and healthcare services.
I had one prescription and some dental appointments in OmaKanta. I also found a visit to the aviation physician and the related laboratory tests. Information about vaccinations was available in OmaKanta only for the last few years.
I have also expressed my organ donation will in OmaKanta
KEVA
I can log in to KEVA’s website using my online banking credentials, as well as to other services that require identification.
I have somewhat unusual pension information because I have both military pension and occupational pension. The military pension is pending until I turn 57, and the occupational pension accumulates slowly for me after leaving my service in the defense forces and started teaching in 2020. The occupational pension will be paid to me once I reach the age of 66. My target retirement age is 67 years.
MY FAVORITE ONLINE STORES
Verkkokauppa.com is one of my favorite online stores. The prices are competitive, and the availability of the goods can be seen on the website. Delivery times within Finland are fast.
I also use price comparison websites to find the most affordable product. Many comparison sites also assess the ‘quality’ of the online store, and if the price difference to the second cheapest option is small, I choose the online store based on user reviews. The price comparison websites I use are hintaseuranta.fi, vertaa.fi, hintaopas.fi, and idealo.de.
I have the impression that Finnish online stores are reliable. I appreciate having an immediate view of product availability and an estimate of when the product will be in my hands. When ordering from abroad, shipping can take up to months. Returning a product is usually straightforward with domestic shops.
I do almost all travel-related comparisons and bookings through online services. Flight tickets, car rentals, accommodations. I haven’t had any issues with payments in recent years when using reliable services such as hotels.com, booking.com, trivago.fi, momondo.fi or airbnb.fi.
The world’s largest online store selling aviation supplies is https://www.aircraftspruce.com/. I personally order products from the USA, but they also have some items available through their European online store. When ordering from the United States, I have to pay customs duties and VAT in addition to shipping costs. Shipping companies offer a service where they pay the customs duties on behalf of the buyer. This way, the buyer doesn’t have to go to customs to handle the matter and collect the product.
I buy sports equipment, especially downhill skis, from a German online store. sport-conrad.com.
They have a vast range of products, and they sell the previous year’s models at particularly affordable prices. I also trust German precision. I have always received exactly what I have ordered from them.
Once I lost my credit card information when ordering from a Chinese online store. Nowadays, I believe that online shopping is very secure. It is advisable to pay for purchases with a credit card because the credit card company insures at least some potential losses. Customer reviews help eliminate unreliable companies, and buyers should choose online stores with many positive reviews.
What if I refuse?
In general, refusing to use digital services can make life more difficult.” Obtaining banking services in person at an office, as well as many other consumer services, can be almost impossible mission. Many services are more expensive in person than they are online. For example, car registration procedures are less expensive online. Bill payment at the bank is also subject to fees.
especially older people may be skeptical to use online services. I’ve noticed a lack of confidence, believing either that they don’t know how or that they might make an irreversible error. Which is rarely the case.
I commented these blog’s
My digital competence areas:
Self-reflection
As I wrote this blog, I noticed how frequently I use online services. I make online purchases or book services almost every week.
In addition to the services listed in this blog, the tax office and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency offer great web services.
During the process of creating the blog, I ran into login troubles with Nordnet’s online service. I couldn’t get into my account unless I created a “mobile ID”(mobiilivarmenne) for myself. My phone company, Elisa, offers this service for free for one month, following it costs 1.99 euros per month. Until now, I had used my banking credentials to access all of the services I needed. However, I am looking at if mobile ID could offer me with additional benefits and security.
I frequently have to assist my parents in using web-based services. It is especially difficult for them to use services through their phones. They also struggle with two-factor authentication. The idea of digitalization dividing people is not new, and it is critical to get everyone, from children to the old, familiar with using internet services.
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