Posted in August 2009

Second Hand Shops Revival

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 18th August 2009, 11:53am

The current financial climate is sending people flocking to second hand stores.

Charity shops and second hand shops are continuing to thrive in the recession. Non profit organisations have in some cases expanded their premises in order to satisfy demand. People from all walks of life are now coming into stores, some looking for second hand clothes for themselves and their family, whilst others are coming in search of designer labels at a bargain price.

Second hand shops are also expanding their ranges to include furniture, housewares and accessories. Shoppers can save up to 75% on high street prices "The prices are so much better," said a mother of two while shopping. "I get a lot of clothes for my kids. They don't mind because (the clothes) are new to them."

Some second hand shops are expanding rapidly. Modesto secondhand and vintage store Remember When has expanded twice in the past year. Owner Kerri Aguiar's shop now takes up the majority of the suites in her shopping complex.

"If I could expand again right now, I would," she said. "A lot of people can't afford the brand names anymore, so they come in for the second-hand."

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European Cities Van Tour

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 12th August 2009, 4:43pm

Going off on a European Tour on the cheap? Consider taking a van for added load capacity.

Todays vans are really quite comfortable and practical when popping off to the continent for a short break. Van hire isn't just for commercial purposes any more. As one local put it:-

why you prefered to choose go to istanbul:) you will find crowd places in everywhere if you choose there. I recommend u to go some anatolian cities. Guaranteed to get everything cheaper on there than istanbul. Just get a tent , rent a van and never stay more than one night in a place along southern coast. Plus,you can ring a door randomly when u need shower or toilet,moreover u can do it for dinner :) hospitality is a tradation in Turkey. Welcom.

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable myself knocking on doors to get meals, but I like the idea of driving along the coast with all my stuff in the back of the van.

If Turkey isn't your bag, there's always a bargain deal to be made in Barcelona:-

Barcelona Hotel - 90 Eur.
Without doing any research, without any effort at all, I can type in the name of a 4star hotel on my netbook, go to their website and see double rooms for 75 Euro per night.
With a bit of effort, you will find these for 50-60 Euro.
"Barcelo Sants" - its not on the ramblas, but it is on top of the main rail station.
You can get the underground to the rambla in minutes. Also it gives you access straight to the airport - about 30mins, also if you are heading down to sitges, salou etc, the trains run from there, You can walk from the hotel into the rambla area, and it might take you about 30 mins, and you can see a lot of things on the way.
So this is actually quite a plush hotel 4 star, and well below what is advised as cheap. I'd expect I could get some lesser hotels for 30-40 euro per night. Just a bit of research on the net.

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Be Careful What You Pray For....

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 11th August 2009, 11:43am

Roman Catholics who used to pray for the retreat of glaciers from their Swiss Alpine communities are now petitioning the Pope to allow them to switch their prayers to fight global warming.

So much ice has melted due to the power of their prayers (or maybe global warming) that drought is regarded as a potential threat. The Aletsch glacier has shrunk by several kilometres in recent times and is regarded as one of the most visible examples of global warming in action. The faithful in the districts of Fiesch and Fieschental have been prying since the 17th century for it to melt as they blamed it for flooding.

Meanwhile, back in the UK we have recently been aware of the closure and job losses of the Vestas Wind Systems factory in the Isle of White.

Wind power is now pretty much a mature technology. Production of turbines is being ramped up making it possible to add significant amounts of generating capacity within a reasonable time. Solar electricity, particularly solar thermal may well take over in the medium term in appropriate locations.

In 2008 the country with the largest windpower generation was USA, followed by Germany, Spain, China, India, Italy, France and then UK.

Many African countries with limited electricity supply are choosing windpower to add electricity capacity quickly and to avoid the cost of importing fossil fuels.

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Car Hire Tips

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 5th August 2009, 11:48am

Unsuspecting customers are paying over the odds in the Balearics for car hire. The Balearic Consumers' Association is investigating tactics used by unscrupulous companies.

On the Balearics, the law says that they only pay for the hours they hired it out for, not for each 24 hour period. The BCA has found that some car hire companies are breaking the law and charging on a per day basis, increasing the income of some companies by up to 10%.

There are still some car hire bargains to be had in August though. Due to the present financial situation people have not been booking holidays so far in advance leading to last minute deals available in destinations such as the USA, Cyprus, Greece, Switzerland, South Africa and Australia.

Naturally, it has also led to disappointment in popular places such as Spain and Croatia. Spain has also come out very well in the recent Post Office Travel Services' 'Motoring on the Continent' report.

As the Met office has done a U turn on its predictions of a 'barbeque summer' there is a chance that the UK populace may yet go abroad for some sun and they may well be able to find a bargain in some places despite the reported fleet reductions.

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Oxfam Chosen To Sell Artic Monkeys Album

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 4th August 2009, 11:34am

The Arctic Monkeys have decided to sell their new single "Crying Lightening" through Oxfam.

Oxfam, usually more famous for their second hand clothes and second hand books will be selling the limited-edition seven-inch single throughout all of the 700 shops, with all proceeds going to the charity.

Crying Lightening is the first track from their new album Humbug and is the first new release to be sold in Oxfam shops for 25 years.

David McCullough, Oxfam's director of trading, said: "Oxfam shops have always been one of the best places on the high street to pick up a musical bargain or find a rare treasure, and this is a fantastic reason to pay your local shop a visit. "

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