Online shopping has truly changed the face of the retail transaction. There’s practically nothing you can’t buy on line, and that includes a new (or new to you) car.

One of the things that makes shopping online for a car so great is that you can read consumer reports about the make and model of the car; learn the price points for all the extras; you can check out the reputation of the dealer; and you can shop around for the best price with very little inconvenience. Even if you plan to buy from a dealership, you can benefit a great deal from this research process.

When you begin your search, start with the manufacturer’s sites. There you can peruse the makes and models of different cars, make up your mind about buying new or used, and decide which bells and whistles you need, and which ones you can do without. From there you can search for dealerships or individuals in your area that have something similar to what you’re looking for. At this point you can begin comparing prices and analyzing the pros and cons of each car on your shortlist. You might want to visit sites like Autoweb or Car.com for more details about the price of this or that vehicle. Visiting as many of these sites is a savvy strategy that will ensure you get the best deal out there on what you’re looking for.

While you’re looking at cars and car prices, you might consider shopping around for a financing plan and a warranty that will fit your needs. Gathering as much knowledge as you can before you walk into the dealership will prevent you from experiencing that “deer in the headlights” response when presented with paperwork, and signing anything you don’t understand. Lending Tree is a good site to apply for a car loan, and there are several similar, equally reputable sites. Your warranty is of the utmost importance when purchasing a new or used vehicle. Without a warranty, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs, maintenance, and the like. However, you don’t necessarily get what you pay for: find out exactly what kind of warranty you will need, and don’t be talked into extra coverage.

When you shop for a car online, there are a few more things you should know. First, don’t simply rely on the information supplied by the seller to be accurate. Search for the vehicle history report for things like odometer reading, and repair history. You might also ask the seller to have the car inspected. If you are using a site like eBay, take advantage of the seller’s feedback history to assess whether he is trustworthy. Do not wire money to the seller; use a service like PayPal or a regular bank-to-bank transfer. Be sure to get an invoice, and if you suspect anything is fishy, do file a complaint with eBay as well as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Slate is once again a sought after roofing material, although the introduction of man-made asphalt shingles in the early 20th century caused the stone to go out of vogue for some time. However, the many virtues of slate roofing are being recognized anew, and it is enjoying a Renaissance. Because of its natural durability and strength, slate was a popular choice. Its upfront cost was high, though, and the tiles themselves could be somewhat prone to breakage. Below is a discussion of slate’s pros and cons, which should help you decide if a slate roof is right for your home.

Using slate tiles on your roof will make your home stand out from the others in your neighborhood, as the stone has an attractive appearance and can be found in many colors and styles. Some slate has a naturally occurring sheen, thanks to a high concentration of minerals like quartz and mica. Tiles of any thickness can be had, and you can opt for a customized look by arranging the tiles in a pattern of colors, thicknesses, or textures. Slate roofing lasts much, much longer than asphalt or wooden shingles, making the high initial cost worthwhile. The average lifespan of a slate roof is 100 years, with some varieties lasting upwards of 150 years.

A slate roof is also resistant to fire, a huge consideration in light of the fact that many home fires start from airborne sparks landing on the roof. Slate is also a “green” building material, as the production of the tiles creates far less pollution than its asphalt counterpart. Unlike other shingles, slate chips can be reused, and make an attractive addition to borders and beds in your landscaping scheme. Slate chips act like mulch, helping retain water, deterring weeds, and keeping plants from freezing. If you have a lot of cats in your neighborhood, the hard surface of the slate chips will also deter them from digging in your beds.

Unfortunately, the upfront expense of installing a slate roof is usually enough to drive away many homeowners. It is a big investment, but when you consider how often you’ll be replacing your shingled roof, it might be worth it to spend a few thousand dollars now, rather than later. Don’t forget, you’ll be paying for the cost of labor every time you replace your shingle roof, as well. Which calls up another point: incorrect installation of a slate roof can end up costing you a bundle and doing structural damage to your home. Seek out a roofing company that specializes in slate roofing and make sure they are using copper nails and plugging the nail holes as they go. Check sites like Angie’s List before you hire a contractor, or if your neighbors have slate roofing, use their company.

A slate roof also puts much more weight on the structure of your home than does a shingle or tin roof. 100 square feet of slate can weigh as much as 1,500 lbs, so be sure your home’s structure is able to bear the load, or you may regret it.

If you have small children in your home there are many things that should be put up and out of reach. Children are attracted to the bright packages some items come in. They will try to eat or drink different things that could cause serious injury to them. Small children love to open bathroom and kitchen cabinets looking for interesting things to play with.

You should put child resistant latches on your bathroom cabinets, especially the ones that are easily accessible to a small child. There are different types of child proof latches and locks. The kind that will work for you will depend on what type of bathroom cabinets you have and whether they have handles or not.

If your bathroom cabinets have handles you can use slide locks that wrap around the handles to make sure they can’t be opened by small children. If your cabinets don’t have handles you can use interior child proof safety locks.

There are different types of interior childproof cabinet locks. Some are invisible from the outside and have a magnetic “knob” that is used to make the cabinet door open. They will keep your children out of the bathroom cabinets but will be easy for you to open. You can also use a type that has to be installed and allows an adult to open it easily and won’t pinch little fingers. Some have a trap slot design that protect your child from opening the door all the way and it allows limited access so fingers don’t get pinched. However, they can be easily and quickly opened by an adult and have a quick disable function.

Besides making sure you have child proof locks on your bathroom cabinets and in the kitchen as well you should take other precautions too. You should make sure there are smoke detectors in every bedroom and in the kitchen. You should install outlet covers on all open outlets to prevent little ones from getting electrocuted.

You can keep children out of rooms that can be dangerous, such as the bathroom and garage by putting knob covers on the doors or you can put a slide lock or hook and eye latch up high out of their reach. The kitchen can be a very dangerous place for a child. You want to make sure that when you are cooking to use the back burners and turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove. It is also a good idea not too use tablecloths when you have small children. They try to use them to pull themselves up and could get seriously injured. It is better to use place mats instead.

Just remember when you are child proofing your home that you make sure you pay special attention to the bathroom cabinets and kitchen cabinets. Especially the cabinets under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom need to be locked to protect your young children from harm. You will have to look around to find the product that will best suit your needs. You want a child proof lock that will allow you quick entry and at the same time keep children out.

For most people their wedding day is one they will never forget. For some couples however, the traditional white dress and family church wedding just won’t do. From taking the plunge at 14,000 feet in the air to saying I do in a vast wilderness where you are no where near the top of the food chain, these are five of the coolest wedding destination on earth.

Beach weddings have always been a popular alternative to the traditional church wedding. Finding a public beach on a nice day that isn’t crowded and full of kids building sand castles can be tricky. That is why number five on our list is a private island in Fiji. The Fijian people are known for their kind hospitality and will assist you in planning your entire wedding. Many island resorts have complete wedding packages to alleviate any stress that can arise while planning your big day. The hardest decision you will have to make is how long to stay.

Number four on our list brings us back to a time of chivalry. Every girl dreams of someday meeting her prince charming. What better way is there to begin happily ever after than to say “I Do” in a castle. England, Ireland, and Scotland all offer many choices for couples seeking a romantic fairytale wedding. The choices range from castles that have been preserved with all the grandeur and theatrics of the tales of Camelot to modern renovations with resort and spa amenities. Nothing can make a person feel more special than being treated like royalty so why not celebrate your big day like one.

Imagine feeling the wind rush past your ears, your hands tightly grasping your loved ones as you look down and see the earth approaching at approximately 115 miles per hour. For many people the thrill of the big day just isn’t enough. For these couples, the perfect destination for their wedding could be 14,000 feet in the air. Reciting their nuptials while Skydiving offers adrenaline junkies the excitement and thrill they need to remember their big day forever.

One of the most untamed places on earth can offer both a luxurious and thrilling wedding for the adventurous couple. If you really want to impress your guests invite them to join you on an African Safari. Many Safari companies offer wedding packages to assist you in planning your big day. Some can even arrange for prenuptial celebrations that will find the bride and her female guests comfortable at the lodge enjoying dinner by the pool. While the groom and his male guests will be hiking into the bush to have dinner by a fire with the locals.

Finally, number one on our list of coolest wedding destinations is the Harbin Ice and Snow festival in North East China. For more than 25 Years couples have been gathering during the first days of the festival to participate in the annual group nuptials. This “cool” destination brings people from all over the globe.