3) AGRICULTURE

P: To what extent you think fisheries can contribute to Malaysia’s economic transformation.

4) SAFETY
I):The number of road accidents continues to rise from year to year. Suggest how road accidents can be prevented.
Car accidents can be particularly devastating. Even minor accidents can be costly to the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The risks of car accidents are real. For 2016, the National Safety Council estimated 40,200 fatalities — an increase of 6 percent
over the previous year. The number of fatal crashes in the previous two years is the highest in the past half a century.
The fact is that car accidents can be prevented by taking simple precautions. In this article, we have shared five tips that can
help in avoiding auto accidents.
1. Remain Vigilant When Driving
When driving, you should keep your focus on the road. Avoid letting anything distract you from driving. The car is the last place
that you should be multitasking. You should never use your cell phone when driving — even if it’s a hands-free model. Talking
while driving will distract you from focusing on the road. So, put away the phone, and make sure that it’s turned off before
driving.
2. Never Exceed the Speed Limit
The purpose of a speed limit is simple: to avoid accidents. Exceeding the speed limit increases the chances of an accident.
Apart from consuming more gas, driving at a high speed can put the lives of others in danger. You will have less reaction time
to avoid rollovers and collisions when driving the car at a fast speed.
3. Select a Safe Car
Apart from good driving behavior, you must select a car that has excellent safety features. A car with electronic stability control
can reduce the risk of a fatal rollover by about 80 percent. Also, you should look for other safety features such as blind-spot
monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. You will cut the risk of a serious car accident by half
when you select a reliable and safe car.
4. Don’t Drink and Drive
Another advice to avoid a car accident is to never drink and drive. Majority of crashes involve drunk driving; most of which turn
out to be fatal. Driving while drunk impairs the senses. This makes it highly likely that you will make mistakes when driving,
resulting in a car crash. So, never drive when drunk.
5. Ignore Crazy Drivers
Los Angeles drivers tend to do crazy stuff such as cutting other drivers, breaking the signal, and speeding. You should avoid
these crazy drivers when driving. If they get behind your car and honk the horn, you should let them pass. The quicker you get
away from these reckless drivers, the safer you will be.
The above tips can greatly help in reducing the risk of a car accident. In case you have been injured in a car accident caused
due to another person, consider contacting an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney will help you get the
compensation you deserve for the injuries sustained in an accident caused due to another person’s negligence

Did you know that road accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines? This translates to around 36,000 preventable
deaths every year. Reckless driving, cell phone use, and drunk driving all contribute to fatal collisions.
Let us look at the major factors affecting road safety and what the government can do about it. I have also included some safety tips for our
drivers and pedestrians.
 Factors that affect road safety
1. Drunk driving. Don’t drink and drive. Those who drive while intoxicated are at very
high risk of dying due to accidents. This is especially true of young drivers. Statistics show that a third of road deaths are due to drunk
driving.
2. Distracted driving. A major cause of distraction is talking over the cell phone or texting while driving. Data shows that around 10 percent
of accidents are due to a
distracted driver. No matter how good you are at driving, the simple act of texting will get your eyes off the road for a few seconds. And in
that split second, you could already figure in an accident. If you really need to text or call someone, get off the road and stop first.
3. Not wearing a seat belt. Studies show that half of the people killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts at the time of the mishap.
It’s a simple habit that can dramatically reduce one’s risk of injury and death. For front-seat passengers, the use of seat belts can
lower the risk of dying by 45 percent, and decrease the risk of serious injury by 50 percent.
4. Teen driving. If you’re below 21, be careful when you drive. Statistics show that teen drivers are four times more likely to figure in a
car crash compared to adults. This is because young drivers often lack experience in driving, and they are prone to drunk driving, not
wearing seat belts, and speeding. Teens also love to chat, eat, and play loud music inside the car, all of which make them accident-prone.
Moreover, teens driving with other teens, especially during the night, greatly increases reckless behavior and fatal incidents.
5. Older adults driving. If you’re over 65, be careful when driving. Although driving can help seniors stay independent, there is also an
increasing risk for accidents. Data shows that drivers, age 75 and above have a higher probability of car crashes. The major reason is the
decline in an older person’s eyesight, hearing, and reflexes. To compensate for this, older drivers can take the following precautions: 1)
drive only when conditions are safest such as during a sunny day, 2) ask your doctor to review your medications, 3) get your eyes and ears
checked yearly, 4) do strengthening exercises, and 5) drive with an adult companion.
6. Pedestrian safety. In the Philippines, we see buses racing each other and pedestrians jumping over road islands to cross the highway.
It’s a truly dangerous sight. For pedestrians, it’s actually more dangerous to walk the streets than to ride a car. On the average,
pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car accident compared to a person inside a car. Pedestrians who are older than 65 and
those who are drunk are at greater risk for mishaps. In addition, more deaths occur in urban areas and at night. To be safe, pedestrians should
wear bright-colored clothing, follow traffic rules and be careful when crossing the street. Never assume that a car has seen you and will stop
for you. It is also safer to walk on the sidewalk rather than on the street. And if you need to walk on the street, you should walk facing the
traffic flow and not have your back against the onrushing car.
What the government can do
1. For drunk driving, there should be strict enforcement of the policy prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those under 21 years old.
Another strategy is to have sobriety checkpoints on the road. However, the law enforcers should acquire inhalation devices that can assess
the level of alcohol in the body.
2. Enact a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving.
3. Enforce the law on the use of seat belts. Exact a larger fine from those who violate the law. The higher the fine imposed, the more the
passengers will comply with the seat belt law.
4. Teen drivers should be discouraged from driving at night or driving without adult supervision. The traffic police should be more on the
lookout for teens who violate the law. Some countries have opted to increase the age where they issue a student’s permit and a
professional license.
5. To assist older adults, the government should make public transportation convenient for the elderly so that they will have a reliable and
safe means of travel.
6. To help protect the pedestrians, there should be convenient walkways, strategically located overpasses and covered waiting sheds for
commuters.
Finally, the government needs to strictly enforce traffic rules, improve traffic flow, and ensure safer roads.
For the car driver, his responsibility is to maintain his car, follow traffic rules, and show courtesy to other cars and pedestrians. All do our
part to prevent road accidents.

4) safety
K:Your neighbor’s home was robbed recently. What is the right course of action that you should take when you came across a thief in your
own home?

Reader Approved

How to Deal With a Burglar Breaking Into Your Home

Most burglars that break into homes are looking for a quick score: electronics, jewelry and other expensive items. They usually

don’t break in with the intention to harm you or your family, but some have more nefarious goals in mind. Burglars typically

target empty homes, but might break in while you’re there if they thought you were gone, or if the haul seems huge. When you

hear that crashing sound in the middle of the night, you won’t have time to figure out their intentions; you need to act. If you’re

worried about having to deal with a burglar, you can make your home more secure, you can learn the best way to hide, or how

to confront them if need be.

 Making your Home more Secure

Prepare a plan. This is crucial if there are more than one person under the same room, especially with children. Designate a

safe space, a room that can be easily locked and barricaded in the event of a burglary. You can make this your bedroom, or

your child’s bedroom if you have children. Then designate a backup safe space, in case the path to your first option is blocked

by the burglar.[1]

 Make sure the safe room has a phone you can easily access. This can be a landline, or simply a cellphone that is kept within,

charged.

 Establish an escape route in case your safe space is compromised. If your safe space is on the second floor, this could mean

an escape ladder by the window.[2]

2.

Practice your plan. A masterful plan will fail brilliantly without masterful execution. Make sure everyone in your home knows

exactly what to do in the event of a break-in. You can establish a safe word which, when shouted, will alert the household to an

intruder. Use this word when you practice your plan, and your reaction to it will be instinctual. [3]

3.
3

Enhance your home’s security. There are a few things you can do to improve the security of your home. Some require more

of a time or monetary investment, while others are simply good practice.

 Lock your doors and windows. Even if you’re at home, just locking up your home can deter possible burglars.

 Get to know your neighbors. They can keep an eye on your home when you’re away, and will be more willing to help the police

in the case of a break-in.

 Keep the outside of your home well-lit. This is especially important for your home’s entry points. Motion-activated floodlights will

surprise and possibly scare off a would-be burglar.

 Keep the blinds closed. This hides valuables from view and it will be harder to tell if you’re home or not.

 Keep the lights on, even when out of the house. That way, your home looks less empty and less inviting.[4]
4.
4

Use your energy to prepare, not worry. It’s important to differentiate being prepared and living in fear. As you follow the

above steps, learn to make them a habit, a normal part of life. This will go a long way to keeping you ready in case a burglar

decides to enter your home as opposed to flinching at shadows.

 If you find yourself constantly anxious and fearing a burglary, consider getting professional help to work through your worries.


Method2
 Hiding from the Burglar
1.
Listen closely. Hearing a strange noise is usually your first clue that there’s an intruder. You’ll also get a general idea of where
the burglar is in relation to your position. There’s plenty that simple listening can tell you about your situation. Be "all-ears" and
listen very closely to what the burglar is doing.

 Do you hear footsteps or other noises coming your way?

 Does it sound like the burglar is talking to someone else?

 Can you hear your property being picked up and packed?

2.
Try to stay where you are and lock the door. After locking the door, try to hide as best you can. Use heavy furniture to
barricade the door, further impeding the burglar’s attempts to get inside. Don’t unlock the door until you are completely sure the
area is safe or the burglar has left.

 If the room you’re hiding in has a closet, hide in it as well. Lock it if possible.

 If you can’t find a good hiding place or lock the door, you may need to move to a more secure room.
3.

Be quiet. Don't make a peep. Do not, under any circumstances, yell out to the burglar; all this will do is give away your hideout

and the burglar will find you faster. Breathe as quietly as you can. If you’re in the room with anyone else, don’t discuss your

plan or argue about what to do.[5]

4.
Use a phone to call 911. If there’s a landline in your hiding place, use it, otherwise use your cellphone to call the emergency
services. Make sure you know your address, because you will have to tell the operator your address so the police can come to
your house and clear out the situation.

 It’s important to keep your cellphone charged and nearby, so that you can quickly grab it as you hide.

 Be prepared to give the operator a quick, concise description of the situation.

 Any questions they ask is to determine how much help you need, so it’s important to describe the situation as accurately and

urgently as possible.[6]
5.
Wait until emergency services arrive. Don’t leave your hiding place until the police arrive. Don’t leave until they can confirm
to you that the area is safe. If they haven’t managed to catch the burglar, make sure to let them know about any particularly
good hiding places in your home. That way they can check more thoroughly.

 Be wary of the burglar pretending to be the police. If you can’t get a good look at their identification (say because you’re still

hiding), you can call 911 to check if you’re dealing with a real police officer. [7]


Try to avoid confrontation. A burglar is usually looking for an empty home to rob.[8]Most simply want an easy job for easy

money, and don’t intend to confront a home’s occupants. Your first priority should be the lives of yourself and anyone else in

your home, not your possessions. However, if a burglar threatens your life, or tries to take you somewhere with them, you’ll

need to fight back.

 If the burglar only wants your possessions, and asks you to do something like opening a safe, comply and cooperate. Your

valuables are not worth your life!

 Arm yourself. Unless you’re trained in self-defense and/or martial arts, confronting a burglar empty-handed is incredibly

dangerous. Not only because you aren’t trained, but because they could be carrying a weapon themselves. Anything that can

be used as a club, or thrown, is better than just your hands.

 A variety of household items can be used as a weapon, such as sports equipment, keys or glass bottles. A baseball bat or a

bottle of whiskey can be swung like a club, whereas keys can be used as a stabbing implement.

 Try keeping a weapon near your bed. If you’re worried about burglaries happening at night, you might feel safer keeping a

baseball bat or knife near your bed.

 Pepper spray, while an efficient deterrent, isn’t legal in all jurisdictions. If it is legal to own, consider acquiring it, and learn how

to use it properly.


Aim for the burglar’s most vulnerable spots. Your goal is to incapacitate them enough to facilitate your escape, not to win a

prolonged fight.[9] Don’t be afraid to fight dirty: you’re fighting for your life.

 Strike at their legs to disable their movement. The knee is a particularly weak joint; a well placed kick or strike can completely

destroy it.[10]

 Strike for the eyes, groin and throat to incapacitate. These spots are incredibly sensitive, and a good strike to one of them is

enough to slow an attacker.

Escape. Don’t stay near the burglar any longer than you need to. If you’re able to fight back and create an opportunity to

escape, use it! Make as much noise as possible when you do and contact emergency services.

Hide or escape and call 911. You must get yourself safe and call the police no matter what. The most important thing in any

emergency situation is to think clearly and not allow yourself to be paralyzed by fear. You have to remember and tell yourself

that.

4) SAFETY

P=10 Most Common Accidents in the Home and How to Treat Them

No matter how much we strive to make our domestic environment as safe as possible, accidents at home can still happen -
even in the most conscientious of households.

When it comes to the health of our families, especially for those with young children, it makes sense to know exactly what to do
if these common scenarios do occur.

At Benenden, we want to help increase your confidence in dealing with minor issues of health and safety in the home and we’re
on hand to give members reassurance and advice whenever it’s needed.

Here are 10 of the most common accidents that can happen in the home and how to deal with them:

1) Falling objects

When children start to move around on their own, there is an increased danger of them pulling objects down on top of
themselves. Being conscious of your kids' health means making sure any trailing electrical leads, tablecloth edges and dish
towels are out of reach in order to help prevent accidents happening.
2) Trips and Falls

A fall can affect people of all ages, but they are most common amongst the very young and the very old. Often, falling over as a
child will only hurt their pride and a few soothing words is all that’s needed. However, if the person who has fallen subsequently
becomes drowsy, vomits or loses consciousness, it is important to seek medical advice.

3) Bruises

Even a fall that isn't serious can lead to nasty bruising which can be quite painful. Applying a cold pack - or even a packet of
frozen peas - to the area affected can reduce swelling. Sometimes severe bruising can hide more serious issues such as
broken bones, so if there is a great deal of continuous pain or movement of a limb is very restricted or impossible, once again
professional help should be sought.

4) Sprains

A sprain is when a ligament, which connects parts of a joint, is stretched, twisted or torn. Knees, ankles and wrists are the most
common parts of the body affected. If this occurs, apply an ice pack from your first aid kit, rest the affected area and give it time
to heal.

5) Cuts

Any cut means that there will be some blood, and this can be one of the most difficult things involved in first aid for children.
Apply pressure to stop the bleeding and apply an antiseptic to the area. Assessing the situation is important, but (generally
speaking) if the blood stops following pressure, it is likely to be a minor cut that will not need stitches.

6) Burns

Hot drinks cause most burns and scalds to children under the age of five and, of course, children should be kept a safe
distance away from open fires, cookers, irons, hair straighteners and matches, as these can be dangerous too. Any burn
should be held under cold running water for ten minutes and then assessed. Having a clean plastic bag or cling film in your first
aid kit can be an ideal way to cover burns to keep them clean and help them to heal.

7) Choking

Children can often have a fascination with putting objects in their mouth and swallowing them, meaning that choking is a
common hazard. If you cannot dislodge the object promptly, then call 999 immediately.

8) Poisoning

Most poisoning incidents involve medicines, household products and cosmetics around the house. It is important, therefore, to
keep anything that might be dangerous if swallowed well out of reach of children as an essential part of first aid in the home.

9) Glass-related injuries

Broken glass can cause serious cuts and so use of the material around the home in furniture or fittings should be carefully
considered if you have a young family. Make sure doors, tables and shelving conform to British safety standards.

10) Drowning

Young children can drown in very shallow water, so should be supervised at all times when near it. This includes ornamental
garden ponds, water features and even baths.

Source: NHS

As a member of Benenden, you not only get access to useful health and wellbeing articles, videos and advice that will give you
tips on dealing with potential health issues, but you also are able to use advisory services such as our 24/7 GP
advice and health concern support. Once you have been a member for 6 months you can request other services that are
delivered on a discretionary basis, including up to £1,800 towards consultations and testsand if needed, treatment and
surgery.

Find out more about our personal healthc

5) economic, finance, entepreneurship

I:

10 Things You Can Do Today to Keep More of Your Money

By Philip Taylor · Some links below are from sponsors. It’s how we make money.

Take action today. Quick, little improvements can have a big impact over time. Improve your spending with these ten tips on how to spend
money wisely:

Think High-Level: Make Lists

1. Make a list of what you value. The best way to spend more wisely is to align your spending with your values. Are you aware of your
personal values? Take a moment to write down the things that are most important to you in life. Is it security for your family? Is it success in
business? Is it helping others? You likely have a combination of values. Write these values down and then ask yourself this question: “am I
spending my money on things I value?” Then ask, “am I spending my money on things that aren't in my value system?” Doing this little
exercise will give you some clarity and help to guide you into thinking consciously about your spending.

2. Make a list of things you really enjoy. Along the same lines as #1, you should be using your money to bring joy to your life. You define
what “joy” is. Go ahead and write that down. What brings you happiness? Identify those things and then ask yourself if you are spending
your money in those areas. More importantly, ask yourself why you are spending on things that aren't on that list. Bottom line: avoid
spending too much money on things that aren't at the top of your “joy” list.

3. Make a list of places, things, or people that cause you to make poor spending choices. Can you identify the triggers to poor spending
in your life? Think about your spending over the past couple of weeks. When did you make the worst decisions (i.e. spending money you
didn't have, spending on things you don't value, etc.)? What was the cause of your poor choice? If you can identify these weak points then
you can begin to live your life in a way that helps to avoid some of these spending hot spots.

Quick Reviews of Your Actual Spending

4. Review your regular spending for things to eliminate. When was the last time you wrote down your list of monthly bills? Take a
moment to do a thorough spending review now. List out all of your required spending for the month: this includes rent or mortgage,
insurance, debt payments, utilities, services, etc. Is there anything on that list that you don't need or want? It sounds absurd to ask such a
question. However, I'll be the first to admit that in the past there were things on my list of monthly expenses that I didn't need or want
anymore. Odds are you have one or two yourself. If you find something to eliminate, do it.

5. Review your regular spending for things to reduce. Next, take a second look at that list of monthly bills and see if there is a way to
reduce the cost of any of them. Could you call the provider and ask for a better rate? Could you call a competing provider to see if you can
reduce your rates by switching? If it's a debt, could you do a balance transfer or consolidation that would help you reduce your rates and
eliminate debt quicker?

Decide to Implement Spending Controls

6. Create a budget. On a basic level, a budget is simply a plan for your money. If you know your expected income next month, right that
number down. Then start applying that money to different things. Start with taxes (if it isn't already taken out), giving, and savings. Then
move to basic necessities: housing, food, insurance, utilities, transportation. Finally, apply the rest of your income to other things you need
or want. Open up an account with an online budgeting tool to streamline this process.

7. Start writing down each purchase you make. Tracking brings awareness to any situation. Use your iPhone or other device to take
spending notes throughout the day. There are Apps for that I'm sure. Or simply carry around an old school pad and pen to jot down your
spending. Do this for a week and see if your spending improves.

8. Switch to only cash. If you have a severe problem with credit spending, this is the way to go. Some folks swear by this method even if
they don't necessarily have trouble with credit cards. Like tracking your spending, going to a cash only system, if only for a week, will bring
a heightened consciousness level to your spending.

9. Implement a “sleep on it” rule. Decide today that for any purchase over X amount you will “sleep on it.” It could be one night, a week,
thirty days, whatever. Just allow some breathing room in between your desire and your decision to buy. Obviously this gives you time to
evaluate the purchase against your values and your budget.

10. Put future spending on a calendar. Pull out a calendar and look at your upcoming events and life changes. Will spending be
necessary? Is so, then make a note of that and start building a list of future spending requirements. This is somewhat different from a
monthly budget because it looks a bit further out. This does two things: (1) allows you to prepare by saving for the spending requirement,
and (2) it allows you time to shop around for the best price and lock in the lowest rates.
5)K: suggest ways your school could initiate entrepreneurship

Teaching, modeling, and engaging students in entrepreneurship opportunities, not only falls in line with many state curriculum
standards, but also helps to prepare youth for future opportunities.
For example, entrepreneurship teaches students about money, investing, business strategies, loans, and creating budgets. At the
same time, students can learn critical life skills such as problem-solving, brainstorming ideas, taking risks, facing failure and
getting up again, setting goals, working together, and feeling comfortable to work individually.
Also, with the many unknowns in the future job market, it’s crucial to teach students about opportunities they can build for
themselves. There are many ways teachers can begin to shine a light on these skills within their curriculum. Instead of teacher-
focused learning, students become drivers in their own education, and teachers become guiding passengers.
Some students will demonstrate different talents in one area over another. Allow them to shine within their given abilities and
talents, while adding in business elements.
If you are a teacher, here are five strategies you can easily use in your classroom to encourage life-long entrepreneurship skills.
Brainstorm Bins: Set up a box in your class for brainstorming business ideas. You can use brainstorm bins as a way to kick
off the school year's most significant project. When you introduce this project early, you are telling your students that you
believe in them, their ideas, and that their voices matter. You are also encouraging self-confidence while providing them with
the space to own their learning. Brainstorm bins can be the catalyst for creating and sharing ideas in a safe place while
encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They can also help students to see the bigger picture because you can
teach them how to set goals for a specific period of time. Every Friday, for the first month of school, go through their ideas
together. As the year progresses, choose one entrepreneurial goal each month that can guide them toward presenting their final
business projects at the end of the year.
Solution Boxes: Sometimes, students will find things to complain about in school. Rather than encouraging them to
complain, set up a way for students to present their problems and to come up with solutions. Encourage students to brainstorm
ideas and present ways to fix concerning issues. Solution boxes help students to speak up and create solutions rather than
complain about them. Diving into these solutions can also cultivate stronger relationships among students, provide a boost to
their self-esteem, and encourage problem-solving instead of complaining.
Shark Tank for Kids: If your school allows it, let students watch some episodes of Shark Tank, especially episodes with
younger entrepreneurs. If you do a quick Google search for the term, "Shark Tank kids," you will find various Shark Tank videos
with young people pitching their business ideas to the Sharks. Watch some of these videos with your students, discuss them,
and then build your own Shark Tank competition at school. In addition to learning many crucial entrepreneurial skills, your
students can learn about investing, equity, creating products and services, building the perfect pitch, and presenting in front of
a large audience. Focusing in on these skills and presentations can also encourage the love of life-long learning.
Genius Hour: According to the Genius Hour's website, Genius Hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own
passions while encouraging innovation and creativity in the classroom. This time provides students with a choice in what they
want to learn about or work on during a designated hour in school.
Google also implements Genius Hour into the workplace. These same genius hour principles are applicable in the classroom. As
an educator, if you have time in the day, you can set up a certain amount of time for your students to work on passion projects.
You can also let them use this time to explore new things, take on a project, or focus on areas outside of the classroom they may
want to discover.
Your students may be confused at first because this puts them in charge of their learning, rather than teachers telling them what
to do. If they struggle at the beginning, you can brainstorm topics with them to get their imaginations brewing. You can also
spend time researching different ideas before they start creating. Prepare them to share their findings and projects with other
classes, schools, and even in approved digital venues. Throughout the process, you act as a facilitator of projects to ensure they
stay on task.

Today, many teachers use Genius Hour in their classes. If you want to learn how to implement Genius Hour into your
classroom, refer to the book The Passion-Driven Classroom: A Framework for Teaching & Learning by Angela Maiers and
Amy Sandoval.
TED-Ed Clubs: If you are working with older students, encourage them to watch TEDx Teen Talks. TED Talks are powerful
ways to demonstrate and practice public speaking skills, share innovative ideas, as well as provide the confidence some teens
need to share their ideas. The TED-Ed project also offers an official program that supports students from all over the world by
joining a formal TED-Ed club at school. In TED-Ed Clubs, students work in groups to discuss, innovate, and build upon creative
ideas. Club leaders receive TED-Ed's curriculum so they can guide their school's projects, and inspire young TED speakers.
Students from all over the world can discover, explore and learn how to present their innovative ideas in the form of TED talks.
The official site also brings students together from all over the world, connecting them to present and share their ideas.
5P:
More people than ever before are using the web to shop for a wide variety of items, from houses and groceries to shoes and
airplane tickets. In April 2017, 40 percent of internet users were buying several things each month online, and that figure is
expected to double by 2020. Being able to shop and buy online comes with several significant benefits, but it comes with a few
disadvantages as well that you should know about.

The Pros of Shopping Online

Online shopping offers many distinct advantages, including:

 Convenience: In comparison to a brick-and-mortar store with fixed hours, online shopping venues are available to
shoppers any time of the day or night. This is especially useful for moms with small children, people who are
homebound, people who work days, and in times of inclement weather.
 Price comparisons: When you visit a store, you most likely settle for whatever price the vendor has placed on a
particular item. Not so with online shopping—you compare prices from hundreds of different vendors.
 Discounts and notifications: Online stores want to keep you as a customer, so they may offer deep discounts,
rewards, and cash back in your pocket if you sign up for their newsletters. They, they can keep you apprised of
upcoming sales you wouldn't have otherwise known about.
 Infinite choice: Shelf space in a brick-and-mortar store is limited, which means that your variety of goods is limited.
Not so with an online store—the choices are overwhelmingly abundant. If you don't see what you want at one store
online, you can move on to the next one. As the consumer, you have the power to do that.

 Easy access to consumer reviews: It's easy to access consumer reviews for pretty much any product you can think
of online, which makes for informed purchases. Not sure you're up to buying something? Look at the reviews from
other consumers, and you'll be better able to make an informed decision.
 No pressure sales: We've all experienced awkward overtures by eager salespeople. You don't have to put up with
that online at all.

The Cons of Shopping Online

A few disadvantages might deter customers from buying goods online:

 You can't try things on. If you're buying a clothing item, you can't feel the material, try it on, and see how it's made.
Unless you know your measurements and are familiar with the brand of clothing offered, this could end up being a
bad experience. Most stores online make it easy for you to return your item for this reason. Clothing websites usually
post detailed measurement and fabric information to minimize returns.
 You can't always talk to someone immediately. If you have a question about what you're looking at, you may have
to wait 24 hours to get a question answered. This situation is improving as many sites have added "instant chat" to
address concerns and answer questions on the spot.
 Privacy and security: Privacy and security are legitimate concerns for any online shopper, but there are precautions
you can take to make sure your transaction is a safe one. For example, paying attention to HTTPS protocols,
installing free spyware removal tools, knowing how to identify online scamsand hoaxes, surfing anonymously,
and keeping your web usage private are all smart ways to address any privacy and security issues.

Online Shopping: It's Here to Stay

There's nothing quite like the convenience of ordering something online, and while shopping on the web does have some
disadvantages, the advantages far outweigh the cons.