Remember how much personal information that you gave them to get discount card? All information market research companies have gathered from stores is then crunched, analyzed, compared, sorted and studied and finally put into custom reports. The report could be who is buying a certain type of item (example: chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies?) to which brand of hot dogs is selling best in a certain region to whatever type of data report a customer wished to purchased. The possibilities are endless. To get an idea, do a web search for "market research". Look at reports offered.

Who purchased these reports? One (of many) was possibly manufacturer of product that was discounted by scanning your card. The manufacturer pays for market report with money they make from you purchasing their product. So who really paid for that discount? You did!

Humor: I wonder what those market research computers thinks when it records a single male purchasing an "unmentionable" item for lady currently in their life! How badly does that effect their statistical analysis? :)

Until litter box needs emptying again!

All three foundation types are usually constructed out of concrete, but can also use concrete masonry units or insulated concrete forms.

Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete blocks. To create foundation wall, mortar is used between blocks to hold them together, forming wall.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are made of rigid foam insulation forms (a system of support assemblies, including mold, hardware, and necessary bracing to hold concrete) into which concrete is poured. Once concrete has gained its full strength, outside forms, inside forms, or both are left in place to insulate wall. ICFs are common in regions in which local building code requires foundation to be insulated. Another benefit is that homeowner or builder is able to finish basement immediately, without adding studs.

============================================= Be sure to read Part II of this article at: http://www.houseplancentral.com/articles.php?id=10 =============================================

Mark Mathis is a building designer and publisher of several stock house plan websites and informational resources including http://www.HousePlanCentral.com and http://www.HousePlanGallery.com. Be sure to subscribe to both site's eNewsletters to receive special offers, promotions, and subscriber-only features.