How the Growth of Online Shopping has Changed Our Lives

The advent of online shopping has not been a slow burning revolution. In barely ten years it has become the accessible, available and acceptable way to shop. Mark Tait explains why we are a nation of online shoppers.

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Time is money
I will always remember my father's attempts at Christmas shopping when I was young. He was a busy man, who worked hard and provided well for his family. Yet, he worked so hard that he would leave little time to carry out the oh-so-important task of purchasing gifts for his wife. My mother became well trained in feigning joy at a box of chocolates and the first scarf my father could find year after year. But things are very different now now my mother does not have to pretend as my father is a capable online shopper with a world of choice at his fingertips. And he is not alone.

 

Statistics tell us that one in every ten pounds spent is done so online. The convenience of online shopping is undeniable and the time it saves invaluable. Many people work long hours in offices that do not allow the luxury of trawling the high street for the perfect gift. For those who live in rural locations, each and every type of shop is now open to them. And no longer do we have to suffer the ignominy of settling for something in one store only to find the perfect item in the next. So whether it is buying birthday cards online or doing the weekly shop online, it seems that anything is possible.

Never forget
Even the most organised person must have forgotten a birthday or anniversary at some point. In the past, the panic would have been palpable. In the car, to the shops, get present, get wrapping, get card, get home. Phew. But then? Forgot sellotape, forgot stamps, missed post! Grrr. But the beauty of online shopping renders these issues somewhat archaic. It is the work of moments to choose birthday cards online. Furthermore, a number of websites allow you to personalise cards and will even post them for you. You may never need to buy stamps again.

The price is right
A worry when online shopping was still in its infancy was the question of security is it safe to put your card details into the computer when anyone could be watching? It is a query that makes sense, yet online shopping is now safer than ever and as long as guidelines are followed your details will remain private and protected.

In addition to this, online shopping allows the customer to shop around for the most competitive prices out there. Whether it is something small or large, the internet is the place to find it. Similarly, if it is on the other side of the world it is not a problem. Online shopping really is limitless.

The benefits of online shopping are endless. And if you are one of the few who has yet to experience the advantages of shopping online from the comfort of your home -it is time to join the revolution.

AUTHOR BIO : Mark Tait is an Economics lecturer who writes on the topic of trends in consumerism for a range of websites and magazines. He has been married for five years, mainly because he remembers at the last minute to buy birthday cards online and is a father of two.

Enjoying Indoors in the Outdoors with Garden Builds

An article addressing why garden sheds and summerhouses are growing in popularity. Focusing on how 21st century sheds have evolved into comfortable, homely places to enjoy all year round this article offers a 'shed for all' perspective.

The origin of the word shed is believed to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word 'shud' meaning 'cover'. This then became mixed with the old English word 'shadde' meaning 'shade' and gradually evolved to become the shed we know of today.

In support of the shed/summerhouse

Many an author has found garden buildings useful in developing ideas and settling down to complete their creative work. For instance Author Roald Dahl famously used his outhouse as a quiet and completive space to pen his ideas, writing many of his books, including the BFG and the Twits, from his shed. Mark Twain wrote and authored some of his books in his shed and Virginia Woolf is also famously known to have taken to her summerhouse to write.

As these examples demonstrate garden buildings can be far more than a simple storage space. In fact sheds can house all manner of creative potential as both Powergen and the Ministry of Defence have recognised. Today both organisations run shed inventor talent programmes.

Getting the best out of your shed

When it comes to creating great things in a shed or summerhouse, whether plants, mechanics or art work, the key is to make the space your own. This can be achieved by adding mains power, heating, drinks facilities or simply furnishing the space to make it more homely and comfortable.

Of course to make your shed a truly productive place you need to know how you plan to use it. If you're a gardener you'll want to store your tools in it, if you're a writer or illustrator you'll want to make sure it's dry so your papers don't curl. Alternatively an engineer or inventor is likely to need power and ventilation. To put such things into action make sure you check what is needed for safe installation of equipment and give some consideration to how to make your shed or summerhouse safe and secure.

21st century buildings

If you're looking to purchase a shed it's wise to have a good look around as things have moved on and developed over the last few years. Today a shed can be heated, insulated, double glazed and decorated. It can be a guest room or an office or an artist's studio or all three. You can have running water, WC and shower facilities, plush furnishings and personalised decoration. In fact it can almost become an extension of your existing home.

A wooded shed doesn't require planning permission so you can choose a large or small building depending on your needs. However if you're planning something a little more concrete it's wise to get advice about what is and is not permitted.

With a focus on work and living spaces the shed and summerhouse now offers far more than just a place to garden in the colder months. So whatever your needs or dreams for your garden, give a thought to the shed and get the most from your outdoor space.

AUTHOR BIO:

Shirley is a writer and blogger for both online interior design and garden furniture websites. With a keen interest in art and architecture her work often focuses on contemporary design for both indoor and outdoor spaces. This includes stone work, garden buildings and exterior lighting.

4 Tips on How to Lengthen the Shelf Lives of Foods

Food storage is very important as it can prevent you and your family from being hungry during times of emergencies and natural calamities. You and your family can survive during hurricanes, typhoons, and earthquakes even if there are no communications and you cannot buy food supplies because roads are blocked. Also, when tough times, such as financial problems, strike, you and your family will never go hungry because you have foods stored in your pantry.

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However, if you do not store your foods properly, they will spoil and that will be wasting money. To avoid food spoilage, here are some tips on how to lengthen the shelf lives of your foods:

1. Invest in durable food storage containers.

There are several food containers in the market today. You can choose to keep your foods in plastic, glass or metal containers. However, plastic containers are porous so they have the tendency to absorb the smell of the foods stored in them. Also, opaque containers are better than see-through containers; there are foods that spoil faster if they are stored in clear containers than opaque containers. Containers should be airtight to keep off insects and rodents. Lastly, remember that these containers must be food grade, this means that the chemicals from the containers will not transfer to the foods. These chemicals can be hazardous and dangerous once mixed with food and are consumed.

2.Location.

The location of your foods is as important as their containers. Put your survival storage packs in an area where it is cool and well ventilated. Place them in cupboards that are away from your cooking stoves and ovens, as the temperature can rise when you are cooking. Avoid stocking them in the attic because the temperature is higher there during summer. You can store them in the basement since the temperature is lower there, just make sure that you remember to bring them along in case you need to vacate your house during calamities.

3.Check their expiration dates.

Check the expiration dates of your food storage products regularly. To avoid throwing expired products, eat from your emergency food supplies and replace them regularly. Remember that crackers, dried fruit and potatoes must be consumed within six months, while canned meat and soup, fruit juices, and boxed and cereals can last up to a year.

4.Consider your family’s diet.

Your food storage for survival kit must only contain foods that you and your family will eat. Stock foods that you and your family like. For sure, you wouldn’t like to eat foods that you dislike and have never tasted before during a calamity. Also consider the special diets of your family members; for example, if you have an infant, make sure that you have enough baby formula stored.  

An emergency can happen anytime and the best thing you can do for you and your family is to be prepared for it. Having food storage for survival is what every family should do. Being prepared for any calamity can save lives, so stock your pantry with food and have an emergency kit.

Stephen M. William, a practicing wildlife photographer. Had been a writer contributor on health supplements in 5 years for your healthy lifestyle magazines and is currently writing blogs as well on Pure Raspberry Keytone.

Making the Best of Bathroom Space

One of the biggest issues which most homeowners face is how to make the most optimum use of the bathroom space, which for an average household is generally quite a small one. Since most builders have the tendency to cut down on the bathroom space in the house, so as to trim some extra area for others things in the house, you need to take some prudent decisions while selecting bathroom accessories and fixtures, if you want to make the best of the available bathroom space.

Work out a practical layout to make bathroom look bigger:

By far, the best way to use the bathroom space sensibly is to ensure that you work the layout of the bathroom in such a manner that it creates an illusion of space, rather than looking cramped up. If the layout of the key bathroom components – including the sink, the toilet, and the shower enclosures, among others – is a well thought-out and well-executed one, even a small bathroom can look fairly big. You can definitely lend practicality to your bath area, while also making it appear spacious, by cleverly using the different storage as well as functional options to the best possible extent, with the help of the countless alternatives available in the stores.

Working out the placement of the windows and doors, having a proper floor plan for the bathroom, and using the right kind of bathroom suites or shower enclosures, can surely go a long way in ensuring that the layout of your bathroom is a practical one, which gives you maximum space in the limited area.

Use wall cabinets and shower enclosures in small bathrooms:

A small bathroom can look cluttered and feel uncomfortably crowded if there is not enough space for storage; and, in such cases, the installation of a full-fledged bathroom suite can further restrict the area for movement in the bathroom. However, both these problems can be solved if you thoughtfully use the options available --- you can go in for wall cabinets for storage of bathroom items, rather than cabinets which cover up the floor area; and for separate shower enclosures or shower units, instead of the more elaborate bathroom suites!

Selecting your options prudently will not only help you to save money and space in a small bathroom, but can also help create a stunning bath area, if you have made sensible choices while selecting bathroom accessories.

Leave actual floor area open to make bathroom look spacious:

The prudence of using wall cabinets and wall-mounted fittings, like wall-mounted sinks and counters, give you the benefit of leaving the actual floor area open; thereby making the bathroom look more voluminous. Despite the fact that wall-mounted fittings in the bathroom do not extend the bathroom area per seq, they definitely give the bathroom a bigger look because a large part of the floor area remains uncovered.

The use of wall cabinets and other wall-mounted fixtures, along with well-fitted shower enclosures from theplumbstore.com, in small bathrooms can leave you with enough space for moving about in your bath area; thus allowing you to use the available space in the most well-planned manner!