When I was a nipper, there was no such thing as just going down the High Street for a few clothes – it would have been difficult to find any stores selling hip, trendy clothes for a start, but even if they did, my parents would have found it offensive to spend any cash on…

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At this time of year it can be all too easy to slip into bad shopping habits.  We have vouchers, gift cards and sometimes, even cash to burn great holes in our pockets.  But to make the most of the spending power we have, it really is best to think carefully about what we actually…

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I would love to be one of those folk who really know how to make the most of their sewing machine.  I’ve had one for years but never had any formal sewing lessons.  I think this is what’s missing – knowing for sure the correct way to thread it up and of course, getting the…

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There is one area of online surfing and buying that really annoys me these days.  It’s the rather cynical dynamic pricing trap.  I had this very experience recently when shopping around for air fares to  the States.  I looked for the firs time this year and the route I wanted on the right dates for…

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There used to be a fantastic store in the next town to me – full of interesting games, ornaments, jewellery and scarves;  all the sort of things that were really pretty and eye catching.  The upstairs was entirely given over to crafting materials.  I can recall taking my sister and husband there – they were…

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This year has been amazing, the heat has been continuous and the rain absolutely absent.  This is so different to last year when I was reporting exactly the opposite and wondering if my family jaunt down to the south west might just get rained off!  We were trying to organise our online shopping to include…

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I was helping my in-laws to clear the bungalow of an relative who was moving into a care home – always a sad and job, to be done quickly and with as little maudling as possible.  Nobody else wanted anything and planned to put most in online auctions . I took all the top quality…

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With so many very large shops struggling to keep their heads above water, it is not surprising that there is a surge in online shopping and browsing interest has inreased tenfold.  This is of course a pity in that the traditional high street setting has been dwindling for some time and now the out of…

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We all have favourite pastimes and some are more talented with theirs than others.  I was at a meeting the other evening – just a group of several quite elderly folk.  They had all known each other for some years and were familiar with the various hobbies and working habits of each other.  I am…

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When I think of shopping channels, my mind goes immediately to those tv ones where a giggly woman is trying to show off the products in front of her with aplomb whilst desperately trying to read the autocue.  They’re usually so awful that it’s hilarious, rather like watching one of those spoof tv outtake shows. …

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