Saving time by Shopping Online

With the rise of the internet is it unsurprising that retailers have jumped on the opportunity to offer goods online whenever they can. Reaching a far wider group of people, retailers can use clever online campaigns to advertise their goods as much as possible. While retailers benefit, shopping online also offers you and I, the consumers on the street a huge range of benefits as well.

One of the best reasons to shop online is the ability to save time. Modern lives have become very busy, with work and leisure activities quickly taking over all the hours of the day. While some lucky guys may love nothing more than to hit the high street and shop, others simply don’t have the time as they are too busy with their families or with work. This is where online shopping is becoming increasingly important as it saves valuable time which can be put to better use elsewhere.

A major benefit is that no travel time is needed if you want to shop online. While an entire morning may need to be set aside for grocery shopping, browsing the internet before buying goods can be done in an instant. It can be done within the comfort of your own home, meaning that it can be done at any time of day whenever you get a spare moment. Search options also significantly reduce shopping time. Whereas in a shop you have to browse through items, in an online store you can instantly look for what you need and want. Prices are often cheaper too, with online retailers not having to pay large overhead expenses for brick-and-mortar shops and many retailers such as M and M, direct discount vouchers can be found. And with search options often offering categories, pricing ranges, sizes, or quantities, life can be made much quicker and easier.

Over the past few years food shopping online has become particularly popular, with a range of both high street and online retailers offering delivery services. This is a brilliant way of saving time as not only can you get delivery options, but many websites provide online baskets which will remember the foods bought previously. A weekly shop can then be done by simply reordering a standard basket, taking only a few minutes of your valuable time.

Online clothes’ shopping can also save a huge amount of time, and while you may believe that the returns procedure is complicated, many stores have taken steps to make it as easy as possible. Valuable time can be saved by utilising search facilities available on websites, allowing you to search for garments by size, colour, prices, or even brand. A number of websites also offer style guides, a great benefit if you find a top you like but are not sure of a suitable trousers for example. Meanwhile, by shopping at online outlets such as M and M, direct discount codes can be found and the returns process is often free and as easy as simply filling out a small coded sheet and popping items into the post. And for anyone who is pushed for time and would rather spend valuable moments enjoying their family and hobbies, online shopping is a fantastic time saving opportunity.

Phoenix Jones - The Guardian of Seattle

Clearly inspired by Kick Ass the movie, there's a masked vigilante called Phoenix Jones patrolling the streets of Seattle, Washington.

He even wear black and gold tights and a mask.

I seriously hope he doesn't get hurt.

Why do Malaysians like to study in the UK?

In 2007 / 2008, there were 12,430 Malaysian students in the UK with 35% enrolled in postgraduate programmes, mainly PhDs (4,375 students) (source: British Council). Most of them are funded by the Malaysian Government. Considering that the average annual fees for a non-EU student in the UK is approximately, £11,00, not counting the cost of living, this is a huge investment on the part of the Malaysian Government.

I was curious as to what is it that makes UK universities so popular with Malaysian students as compared to the US or other countries.

Of course the reason may be that some of the World's best Universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick are located here. However, this does not explain the high number of Malaysian students in other Universities which are not that high ranked as well. A lot of people in Malaysia still consider British education to be the best in the World even though a number of high ranking Universities are in other countries as well. 

It may have something to do with the fact that English is the language spoken here so unlike France, Spain or Germany, you don't have to learn a new language as English is compulsory in Malaysian schools.

However, that's not the only reason and I found out several other facts which contribute to the UK as a popular destination for education., some of which are quite surprising.

An important factor is that foreign students are allowed to work in the UK, limited hours during term time and full time during holidays. Student dependants are allowed to work full time, an important factor considering that the scholarships provided by the Malaysian Government are not really enough to live comfortably. On the other hand, as fas as I know, students are not allowed to work outside the campus and dependent are not allowed at all in the US. Rules in Australia are quite similar to the UK.

There are specific reasons as well. A PhD in the US apparently takes at an average of about 4-5 years to complete whereas in the UK, it's about 3.5 years. If you are in the Business and Managements stream, you also need to get really high GMAT scores in order to get in. This is not true for PhD in business and management studies here in most UK universities.

Some other factors listed by friends:

1. Easier to get Halal food.
2. Cheaper to fly to the UK than to the US.
3. Great shopping specially on boxing day.
4. I also discovered that another reason is the fact that every Malaysian student is entitled to an approved permit (AP) to import a car back into Malaysia with nominal tax rates.Normally foreign built cars are subject to a tax as high as 300%. The UK also drives on the correct side of the road (the left side and cars are right hand drive) as compared to several other countries.

So it is not only the reputation of British universities or because it is cheaper (they are not) but a combination of several factors. I am wondering whether the recent proposal to reduce the number of permitted working hours and that student dependants won't be allowed to work, would have an impact on the numbers coming here to study.

If you are a Malaysian student here in the UK, are there any more reasons you selected the UK?

My Hawk bike bought over eBay

I realise that this blog is slowly turning into a bike blog but that is what I am really into right now.

When I decided to start cycling, I was shocked at the prices of bikes here in the UK. I was determined not to spend more than £50 and I went on to eBay.

This is a Hawk Reaction mountain bike which I finally won on eBay for just £16.

Hawk cycles which is based in the Midlands are said to be the largest family owned cycle chain in the UK.

Anyway, the bike was listed as a unisex bike but after I won it, one look at the pink stickers and I realised that it was a ladies bike. I don't really care even if it is a ladies bike but I am not really fond of pink and I later removed all the stickers.

When I collected the bike, the tyres were flat and I though I might have to replace them but later found out that they were in really good condition.

The bike is fitted with 18 speed Shimano gears with twist grip gear levers. It is not that light but I have got used to it now and the Zoom Front Suspensions does help when going over potholes.

As I mentioned in my previous post Finding the right saddle for my cycle, I replaced the original saddle with a new WTB Speed-V Sport Saddle. This will soon be replaced by a used Brooks saddle - said to be the best cycle saddles in the World, which I also won on eBay.

I also replaced the old chain with a KMC X9-73 9 Speed Chain from Go Outdoors for £14.39. I initially wanted to buy the Shimano HG73 9 Speed Chain but it was too costly.

Other additions include the mudguards from Halfords, front and rear lights and a stand.

Happy New Year 1.1.11

The nights merged into day and sometimes didn't know whether I was awake or dreaming. My PC was my best friend and my enemy. Feelings of guilt as I ignored my kids. I am leaving the tears, shouts and all negative thoughts behind.

Now it's no longer the light at the end of the tunnel. I have finally something solid in my hands and I look forward to the new year with hopes of a better future.

Wishing all visitors to my Blog a very Prosperous, Brilliant, Eventful, Fantastic, Glorious and Happy New year 2011.

Coventry Eagle Bike for my wife

My wife received an unexpected present from our friends Kak Yati and Faizam. I was helping load their stuff on the container they were sending back home to Malaysia when En. Faizam told me that he had left a bike for my wife in their backyard.

I later collected it just as they were leaving for Malaysia. I had to dismantle it a bit so that it fit in the car and had been lying there in the back of our house since then.

Today I was feeling a bit sleepy and decided to assemble the cycle.

It is a Coventry Eagle Vision ladies hybrid bike was in surprisingly good condition. It has 15 speed Shimano gears fitted and the brakes are in excellent condition.

The seat was in excellent condition as well and really comfortable.



The tyres may need replacing though.

I later found out that the Coventry Eagle was once quite famous until it declined. Falcon cycles now own the brand name.



The old Coventry Eagle bikes used to have a great looking decal. However, I guess the one we have was probably made during the decline and only had stickers which have mostly come off.



A big Thank You! to Kak Yati and Faizam

If you had a million pounds

Yesterday Friday night 25 prizes of £1 million were won on in the Christmas Eve EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle. If all winners come forward and claim their prizes, this will break the existing world record for the most millionaires in a single draw, according to the National Lottery.

I can't help but wonder whether winning a million may be a curse. I mean look at the history of past winners.

I read that winning that kind of money doesn't make you happy. Winning £2million made Stuart Donnelly miserable. He became a recluse and died alone in his luxury home. Alex Toth who won Thirteen-million dollars also died penniless.

There are so many other sad stories and in most there seems to be a familiar story line - most of the winners just spent all their money in such a short time - usually on booze and materialistic things. A million is not that much and it is possible to spend all of it in a few years. I wish they had done something useful with their money.

Maybe it was the curse of living under the spotlight. And of course, there were some who kept their head level and managed their money well but they are few. Of course, there are loads of winners who didn't want the publicity and they probably did well as well.

I was reading the article "What to do when you become an instant millionaire" on the BBC website and was wondering what I would do if I had that kind of money?