The Blog @ Shopping-Bargains

With high-tech data encryption and other security technologies, online shopping is one of the most secure forms of commerce available. It can also be a convenient and stress-free way to address your shopping needs.

What follows are 8 tips for maximizing your online shopping experience by enhancing your security — and ultimately your peace of mind. If you follow these 8 tips you will avoid many problems.

1. Use a Secure Web Browser

Make sure the web browser on your computer is current and you have download the latest patches and updates. All major web browsers are capable of secure shopping sessions with 128-bit encryption strength.

2. Shop Secure and Reputable Stores Only

A secure web browser will not protect you if you are shopping on a site that is not secure. Reputable sites have security measures in place to protect your online shopping experience and use at least 128-bit encryption on their servers during checkout. Verify the security of your checkout session within the status bar of your browser by looking for the appropriate security icon [Read more →]

One of our readers sent me this funny poem today (author and source unknown). It’s entitled “Owed to a Spell Chequer” and humorously warns of the dangers of accepting all spell check suggestions without using some judgment. I guess all those elementary school spelling lessons were worth it after all. Read and enjoy.

Owed to a Spell Chequer

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.

Every anniversary of September 11, 2001 my heart is heavy as I remember the suffering and death that so many Americans personally endured on that day. It is a day we will never forget.

On this 7th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks I also think back to how our country was so very united in helping one another during that difficult time. Patriotism dominated the scene and American flags seemed to sprout up everywhere. There was no doubt that as Americans we had a brutal enemy to defeat and military action would be needed. Preventing future attacks was going to be a massive undertaking and most thought we would again be attacked within months.

In spite of the unknown, though, there was a sense of resolve and urgency that helped us focus on what was really important. Families and communities came together. There was a brief pause in partisan bickering and it seemed everyone wanted what was best for the country. That part of the situation was good. I wish we could have maintained those values and civility within our national discourse.

Seven years later and there has not been another terrorist attack on our soil. We have indeed been blessed. Few dreamed that was even possible given the odds stacked against us as a nation.  Sadly, the protection and the safety we enjoy has come at a huge cost for many military families, especially for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice when they took the battle to the terrorists. I am so very grateful for their gift of love and for the service of our all-volunteer military. They have performed admirably in their tasks and are to be saluted for their bravery and dedication. Many in our government have also been unwavering in their support of the military and in their pursuit of terrorists wherever they may be. I also applaud their efforts.

So, on this 7th anniversary I ask that you join me in [Read more →]

Creative people amaze me.  I’m also impressed by the innovations and entrepreneurial risks taken by most small business owners.  When somebody combines creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial effort that’s a powerful formula that I find very fascinating.

One such incredibly creative example I came across this week is VanityKippah.com. This website/business was thought up and implemented by Shmuly Tennenhaus and combines politics and yarmulkes or kippahs, which are thin, slightly-rounded skullcaps traditionally work by Orthodox Jewish men. Tennenhaus, based in Seattle, created the 2008 Presidential Kippah Collection with a stylish version for supporters of each Presidential candidate. These kippahs are affectionately called The Obamica and The McCippah and sell for $15.95 with free shipping.  For those not into politics, Tennenhaus sells a neutral one known as The Hot Kippah.  VanityKippah.com reports that other trendy kippahs are forthcoming including the Bluetooth Kippah and the Ringtone Yarmulke.

This fun website store got me thinking about the power of a creative idea coupled with a little (sometimes a lot) of perserverence, work and, of course, risk. The result of such a combination is a business that you own and control. It is your creation and something that can move you and change people’s lives.

So with that in mind I wanted to encourage our readers to aim high, be creative, take risks and succeed at their dreams. If Tennenhaus can sell fashion forward kippahs with political statements then perhaps your idea can succeed as well.

Ryan from PlumberSurplus.com wrote a positive review of Shopping-Bargains.com on their company blog. PlumberSurplus.com specializes in brand name plumbing fixtures such as Moen, fittings, tools and equipment and is a featured merchant in our Plumbing Fixtures department. His review concludes with the statement “In my opinion Shopping-Bargains.com sets the bar for coupon and deal websites.” Thank you, Ryan, for that generous review.

If you like to blog and are looking for ways to promote and monetize your blog you may want to come to BlogWorld Expo next month at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I’m looking forward to being there and on Saturday, Sept. 20 (12:15 PM - 1:15 PM) joining Shawn Collins, Sam Harrelson and Tim Jones on a panel entitled Affiliate Marketing Secrets for Bloggers. If you’re going to be there then please look me up.

In preparation for this panel I would like to provide some great examples of well-monetized blogs that primarily rely on affiliate marketing. I invite you to leave your comments and links to successful blogs as well as monetization methods that I could highlight for this panel.