I was born before the internet existed. With that said I can tell you I had many options, however, now I have a universe of options at my fingertips.

I remember when I discovered the internet, and I was mesmerized, I could not believe how much knowledge was there to be shared.

The point is that internet has not only about knowledge that will be just considered knowledge, but it also means knowledge that came to me as a shopper, as a consumer. As a consumer I can now browse for reviews, better prices, options, warranties, etc. 

I am now an informed shopper, I do not longer go without shopping without finding information about a specific product that I want.

20 years ago, we have basically three shopping options;

1. Brick and mortar stores
2. Catalogs delivered by mail
3. 800 numbers after watching infomercials

Today, we have options on our phones, the computers, the phone, tablets, brick and mortar stores, infomercials, etc. 

Years ago, it seemed that the relationship between me and the companies was almost invisible, like if that the only thing a company wanted was that only sale, a sale, not a customer. To create a customer, companies discover that they needed to care about my preferences, now I have some power.

For suppliers, the internet made of competition a tougher battle. Distances are shorter. 

I have a small jewelry business, and I can now buy my supplies from China's eBay sellers. This has helped me to lower my costs for most items up to 70%. This makes my products more competitive and affordable for my customers. 

I browse for coupons on the go, using applications such as RetailMeNot or ValuePak, and I do not buy without coupons. I am always looking for good deals. 

Now, in regards of how I actually do banking... I do not have to carry cash any longer! All I have to do is get my credit card/debit card, do direct deposit, take pictures of checks, pay the car payment with a couple of key strokes. 

I follow recommendations from friends in social media, specially Facebook, and I have bought from its sponsored pages (specially yoga outfits). 

I have become "fan" of specific companies, which I like and I receive special promotions, such. I receive periodical text notifications letting me know about "special sales".

I get better deals, but at the long run, I spend much more.