Part of the pressure of modern life is the overwhelming variety of choice available. No matter what you want to buy, there will be hundreds of alternative ways to buy it, some wise and some quite foolish. It is for this reason that I have never been into a Starbuck’s – the range of choice is just so confusing and exotic that I’d never know where to start!

When it comes to travel, however, there is some good advice available. Kiplinger has a list of travel-related sites that they have tried and found to be excellent in their service. These cover things like airfares, where to stay, car rentals and cruises.

If you are short of time to do the research in finding the best answer to your travel needs, take a shortcut and use a service that others have recommended!

Ever wish that was there was a way to make extra money by using your net connection? Perhaps you’ve even dreamed of finding a way to earn that doesn’t involve the daily commute and rat race. Well, there is a way but it involves a lot of hard work to begin with.

Don’t get interested in the hundreds of offers to make a fortune by doing some repetitive task online – those only make money for the ones running the show. Be independent and try blogging (short for web logging – once an online diary but now it can mean anything that is regularly updated with new information).

Blogging is a buzz word of the moment and there are all sorts of stories about it floating around, some true, some laughably false. As a way to put your thoughts online, it’s fine and you could get much enjoyment from it. But, as a means to make money, it has to be taken much more seriously than that. It requires determination and commitment to succeed in this field.

Before you start, you should find out as much as possible about the pitfalls and possibilities inherent in blogging. And there is no better way to learn about it than at Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger. Darren started with a personal blog, an online diary, became interested in the new medium and began to look at ways to make it pay. He started a few blogs, and then ProBlogger as a way of passing on what he had learned to others trying to do the same thing.

ProBlogger is now the best source of information on earning from blogs and there is no better place to start if you want to try blogging. Be warned however: Darren pulls no punches and does not pretend that it is easy!

Ever have trouble remembering important dates? And how about less obvious things like checking to see if you ever received that mail-in rebate you so carefully completed all the forms for? I do – and have just discovered Memotome, an internet service that emails you with dates you have registered just before they become due.

Perhaps the best thing of all about this reminder service is that it’s free. With its potential for saving you money, it has to be one of the best ideas in a long time. I have tried the digital diaries that sit on your computer, ticking away until the appointed dates – but my problem is that most of the time I don’t have them running in the background. And, if they’re not running, they can’t remind you.

But everyone checks their email at least once a day and this is where Memotome scores. Have a look and see if it could be helpful to you: Memotome.

The online Christmas shopping season has already begun and 114 million consumers are expected to use this avenue fronm now until Christmas. If you will be doing some or all of your shopping online, the Better Business Bureau offers a list of questions to keep in mind to make your shopping experience a safe and secure one.

1. Is your computer protected? Make sure your computer is equipped with updated spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall. Check for and install any new security updates for the programs on your computer and its operating system.

2. Are you in the right frame of mind? You can shop with speed and ease on the Internet, but you still need to shop smart. If you’re tired or distracted, you may want to postpone your online shopping expedition until you can be fully cyber-”aware.”

3. Do you trust the merchant? To check on the seller’s reputation, look for feedback comments from other customers or conduct Web searches. Check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) for a report about the retailer’s marketplace record. Look for a “trustmark” from BBBOnLine or another reputable organization and “click” on that seal to confirm that it’s valid. You can search for BBBOnLine merchants by gift category or other key words at www.bbbonline.org.

4. Do you have all the details? Don’t do business with any retailer that does not provide its physical address and a contact telephone number for customers. You should know how much the product or service costs; if there are shipping and handling charges; the delivery time-frame; if a warranty or guarantee is offered; the seller’s privacy policy and the retailer’s cancellation and return policy. Print out a copy of your confirmation page in case you need it later.

5. Will your online purchase be secure? Look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. Don’t be fooled by spoofed sites that feature convincing “security” measures. If you have doubts about a site, right-click anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (Web site address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is “not encrypted.”

6. Will your personal information be protected? Read the site’s privacy policy to understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, consider that a warning that your personal information may be sold to others without your permission.

7. Are your instincts telling you to beware? Listen to your gut. If you’re dubious about a merchant; if the Web site appears to be suspicious; if the offer seems “too good to be true,” trust your instincts. Check with the BBB.

8. Is that e-mail legitimate? If someone e-mails you unexpectedly to ask for personal information, be very suspicious. Legitimate businesses do not send e-mails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. Pick up the phone and call the contact number on the Web site where you made the purchase to ask if there was a problem with your transaction.

BBB Offers Tips for Safe Shopping Online This Holiday Season