TIPS ON SHOPPING.COM

Below are some guidelines on how to shop safely on the Web:
Before You Buy:
Do your homework
Take the time to research before you buy. Buying guides provide a useful introduction to different product categories and help you determine what best suits your needs.


Compare products
Once you have narrowed your choices to a few products, find the right one for you. Consumer reviews can uncover the important pros and cons of similar products.


Check total price
When you compare prices, don't forget to check post and packing (P&P) charges. Many online stores regularly offer free shipping promotions.


Look beyond price
Unfortunately, the lowest price stores do not always provide the highest level of customer service. Make sure to check a store's reputation and rating before you buy.


Order ahead of time
Give yourself a few weeks of lead time, especially during the busy holiday season. You can pay extra to expedite the delivery of your order, but it may be costly!


Check return policies
Before you buy, check the particular store's return policy. Return policies can vary widely, though many online stores offer 30-day money back guarantees.


Pay by credit card
Online fraud is rarely a problem, but just to be safe, many credit cards offer complete purchase protection. Debit cards may not offer you the same protection.


Keep your receipt
Save your receipts in case you need to track your shipments or even return the item. You can even create a special email folder to store all of your online orders.


Share your experience
Help others make smart decisions by recounting your shopping experience. Write reviews of the products you bought and the stores where you bought them.


If you experience a problem, take action immediately:

Notify the store as soon as you become aware of the issue.
Check your consumer rights. The Department Of Trade And Industry offer comprehensive advice.
Contact your credit card issuer immediately. They usually have resources available to help you mediate any dispute.


Popular Searches
cloth diapers daily docket shampoo home management... cloth diaper meal planning baby deodorant spring cleaning soap nuts menu planning mission statement chore chart docket routine cloth diapering downloads easter cleaning menu plan
Looking for more about [term]? Close X



If you don’t yet shop at thrift stores, I really encourage you to do so. If you picture dingy floors, bad lighting, and torn clothing heaped together, you might be surprised. There are a few like that in every town, I’m sure, but for the most part, they are a veritable gold mine of unclaimed wealth.

With the sketchy economy, it’s a no-brainer way to save money. But even when the economic situation is in full bloom, it is a practical, reasonable, and easy way to stretch your family’s dollars. If your family lives on one income, and you’re the home manager assigned the job of managing the spending, then consider shopping at thrift stores your income contribution – you’d be surprised at the money saved.

I always shop at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or St. Vincent de Paul’s before heading to the “regular” stores – and nine times out of ten, I don’t even need to hit the regular stores. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your thrift store shopping experience.

1. Go in With a Plan…
Know ahead of time what you need. Sometimes they can be a bit overwhelming, and each location has its own organizing system, making it a bit challenging to find what you need. So if you go knowing you’re looking for 12-24 month-old boy’s khakis, and size 8 black dress shoes, it can be a lot less stressful.

2. …But Be Open-Minded
That said, keep your eyes open for any surprising deals. It’s hit-or-miss with thrift stores, so sometimes you really hit the jackpot of gear your family truly needs. If you weren’t necessarily shopping for swimsuits, but you see a darling one in your daughter’s size this summer, then snag it up. You need to make sure what you find is actually something you need – otherwise, you’re just buying clutter, and you’re not saving money. Even so, think outside just your immediate family, and consider your extended family, your friends, or unexpected gift ideas. You could find birthday gifts for all your nieces and nephews, or you might find throw pillows in just the right shade your friend is looking for.



3. Look For Quality Brands…
The older I get, the less the inexpensive brands work for me – I wish they did, but Old Navy clothes rarely fit me well. Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, or Calvin Klein, however, usually fit me like a glove. Because over 90% of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores, I can afford these quality brands. You’d be surprised the amount of well-made, expensive clothing is hiding in thrift shops, just waiting to found. You have to dig for it, but it’s there. My kids can wear Baby Gap and Gymboree, thanks to thrift stores.

4. …But Also Try New Brands
Keep in mind, however, that there might be some quality pieces in brands you’ve never heard of, or with the tags completely missing. Check for holes, stains, missing buttons, and loose seams, and pass on something if it looks pretty worn or stretched out. But sometimes the brands you don’t know are actually really high-end European brands, well worth their money.

5. Try Things On
Always try things on. Just because it’s a beautiful silk Ann Taylor skirt doesn’t mean you should buy it. If it doesn’t fit well, then it’s a needless purchase and will only clutter your closet. And different brands size things differently, so you can’t assume anything by the number on the tag.

6. Don’t Go With Kids
Sure, you may have to bring them sometimes. But if you’re armed with a detailed list, it can be hard to get much accomplished at a thrift store when you have little ones to watch. Shopping at thrift stores means having to sift through lots of aisles of crammed-full racks. If you have to bring your kids, plan on just shopping one of the store’s sections, and then come back another day to shop the rest.

7. Know Your Local Store’s Sale Days
Many local Salvation Army stores have half-off Wednesdays. Other stores have similar days, so call and ask for their regular sale schedule. A $4 pair of shoes is cheap, but when they’re $2 – even better!

8. If You Really Need Something, Ask
If you’re in the market for a very specific item, and you’ve been returning to the store for several weeks in search of it, it wouldn’t hurt to ask an employee to keep their eye out for it. You can’t expect them to bend over backwards, because thrift stores usually have piles of items that come in unexpectedly. But if you let them know you’re looking for a light purple Ralph Lauren wool scarf, and then see one come by, then maybe they’ll remember you.


Photo by Cullen Barker

9. Find Ways To Repurpose
Think creatively when you thrift shop. I was looking for a Christmas tree skirt a few weeks ago, but I happened upon a perfect vintage tablecloth with red and green flowers. It was thick, durable canvas with a beautiful red fringed border – and it will work better as a tree skirt than I had originally planned. Sheets make great curtain liners, and mismatched silverware and dishes work well in a play kitchen.

10. Stockpile, Think Long-Term
We don’t need to buy clothes for our kids for a long time, because my mother-in-law has containers of boys and girls clothes of all sizes waiting to be grown into. She stops by thrift stores weekly, and is always on the lookout for her grandkids’ clothes. We’re probably set for at least two years, because she thinks longer-term when she thrift shops. If you have the storage to stockpile, then consider your family’s long-term needs.

11. Go Often
If you don’t find anything one week, try again in a few weeks. A stores’ inventory changes constantly, so you might strike gold one week, and come up with nothing the next. Make thrift store shopping part of your regular home management routine.

12. Go With Cash
Finally, leave your debit card at home. When you’re armed with cash, you’ll be more selective with your purchases, and will therefore think more level-headedly about the value of items. When you stick to a budget, then thrift stores are a money-saver. When you go way over, then you’re buying more than you need – emptying your wallet and filling your closets. Aim for the opposite.

free and licensed ip for you doe the week

Hi to everybody,i a e-success ,i am here to upgrade and elevate bout the e-commerce world,i am here to offer you and give you free licensed software,we have a lot of packages that we offer fre,especially ,if you re just starting your e-commerce business


in 72hours time,we willll start pasting free link for you to download already paid for licensed software and give you ideas on how to speedup the rate of your internet,the first five person to contact us to be given a uk number diverted o their cellphone for free,all you have to do is to follow this blog,ater you follow ,eamil us when we check and confirm ,we send you packagto your email address

INTRODUCTION TO IP TECHNOLOGY

If you've never heard of VoIP, get ready to change the way you think about long-distance phone calls. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

How is this useful? VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls. The practical upshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you're bypassing the phone company (and its charges) entirely.





VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely rework the world's phone systems. VoIP providers like Vonage have already been around for a while and are growing steadily. Major carriers like AT&T are already setting up VoIP calling plans in several markets around the United States, and the FCC is looking seriously at the potential ramifications of VoIP service.

Above all else, VoIP is basically a clever "reinvention of the wheel." In this article, we'll explore the principles behind VoIP, its applications and the potential of this emerging technology, which will more than likely one day replace the traditional phone system entirely.

The interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way to place a call. There are three different "flavors" of VoIP service in common use today:

ATA -- The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it's a very straightforward setup.

IP Phones -- These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call. Wi-Fi phones allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.

Computer-to-computer -- This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.
If you're interested in trying VoIP, then you should check out some of the free VoIP software available on the Internet. You should be able to download and set it up in about three to five minutes. Get a friend to download the software, too, and you can start tinkering with VoIP to get a feel for how it works.