Keeping Track Of Your Usernames and Passwords

If you happen to purchase often online and are shopping for yourself as well as for others, it sometimes becomes difficult to remember all of the usernames and passwords you have chosen.

The best thing to do is to keep a written log (I don't recommend keeping it on your hard drive in case you get hacked). You can use a log or use a Rolodex (like I do). Organize each card by website name, then list the account name, user id, password, and any other important information. It can really be a lifesaver when you have one of those days where you can't remember anything.

Keep Your Order Confirmation E-Mails

Always print out your order confirmation e-mails. If problems occur with your order, you can refer back to your documentation while trying to resolve your problem with customer service.

Since it is printed out, you won't have to worry about losing your information due to computer crashes, viruses, etc. It also provides vital information in the event of a credit card dispute

Use Multiple Windows

One way to decrease the amount of time spent shopping for various items is to use multiple windows to view the products. This enables you to continue reading your current page while others are loading. By doing this it also makes it quicker to get back to a previous page because you are not hitting your back button and waiting for the page to reload. To do this, follow the instructions below:

Most browsers including AOL: Press and hold down the "shift" key while clicking on the next link.

Microsoft Internet Explorer For Windows: Press and hold down the "shift" key while clicking on the next link. Or you can right click on your mouse and select the option to open in new window. (If you use the Mac version press and hold down the "command" key while clicking on the next link.

Use Bookmarks

If you are continuously shopping online, typing the site URL in the web address line of your browser can be tedious and extremely time consuming. Next time try utilizing the favorites or bookmark feature.

While you are sitting on a site you want to return back to:

With AOL, just drag the heart shaped icon from the top of the browser window and drop it into the "favorites" folder with the heart on it.

With Internet Explorer, click on the "favorites" folder, click on add.

With Netscape Navigator, click on "bookmarks" and add bookmark.

Save even more time by making sure to organize web sites in folders for optimum use.

Entering Information

Do you shop online often? Are you tired of repeatedly entering the same information over and over again? Here's some solutions:

*Download a program called Gator. It remembers passwords and usernames, however it is a memory hog.

*Download a free program called TypeItIn. This one you can program multiple "buttons" to type whatever you want.

*If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and above, activate the AutoComplete feature.

Use Price Comparison Sites

Are you hunting for the best deal on a product? Are you tired of time consuming searches at multiple sites? You can save yourself both time and money by utilizing one of the many available price comparison sites on the Internet.

http://www.bottomdollar.com
http://www.MySimon.com
http://www.PriceSCAN.com

These sites will provide you with item prices, in addition some will also detail vital information on shipping charges, shipping terms, availability, and will even total the charges for you. Although nothing is really foolproof, normally you can consider these prices accurate as of the date you do your search. If you decide on a site to make your purchase, please remember to verify the price.