Martin Lewis and The Power to Change

When I changed fuel supplier many years ago, it was far from straightforward. A few months of incorrect bills, followed by a few months of no bills and then a few more months of errors, final demands and costly phonecalls put me right off the whole process. On many occasions since, I've honestly told a prospective new supplier, "I'm not interested in changing supplier, it may be cheaper but I can't be bothered with the hassle."

Eventually though, no amount of hassle would counter the Martin Lewis  factor. After years of getting his weekly Money Saving Expert emails, his face got to me. He looks so kind and supportive - like that new young teacher you once had who only wanted the best for you. Remember how he or she inspired you to do your best? Well I look at Martin's face and I feel like he's saying to me. "There's a recession on Mo, and you've got a family to think about. Are you absolutely sure you've done everything you can to save money?"

So, I consulted the Money Saving Expert site and clicked through to U-Switch. Bingo! Cheaper fuel, cash back and a case of wine? Don't mind if I do.

The switch hasn't completed yet, but the paper mountain has started arriving. So far seven letters from the original supplier, and five from the new. Phone calls as well, asking "Why are you leaving us?" but not going far enough to keep my business. I have yet to see whether this will go smoothly in the end and I don't know anyone who has made a smooth transition. Do you?

http://www.freeimages.co.uk/bitmaps/freeimagesuksmall.gif





Why Maria Miller shouldn't have joined The Blame Game

There’s a Danish proverb that says, “Blame is a lazy man’s wages”.  Whilst there is a need for humans to find someone or something to blame when something goes wrong, the institutional blame culture is lazy and counter-productive.

The political blame game is now so transparent as to be scarcely credible. How often do we hear “…the mess left behind by the previous Labour government…” and “…because of the coalition’s cuts” or other such glib comments?

Sadly, the current government’s propensity to blame the victim (the unemployed, the disabled) or external forces (the Eurozone crisis, the previous administration) for current problems  is now fuelling a blame culture within society itself. What’s more it doesn’t actually do anything to promote sensible debate or any desire to work together to overcome the issues.

Worse, it is actually causing us to turn on each other in the most hateful of ways as described here by The Guardian.

Small wonder when the Minister for Disabled People is busy playing the blame game too. 

Maybe if we could stop looking for someone to blame and start trying to fix things in a more compassionate, honest way we can stop this slide towards an entirely divided society.

4 Reasons My Journal is my New Best Friend

Me Time.
Writing in my journal is time dedicated to me. Even if I just write the date and doodle for a few minutes it feels like time off. It helps me get a good night’s sleep. I can feel myself relax while writing and if I want to I can just write down any issues or problems and then close it up to be dealt with another day. My journal gives attention to me and only me; always there when I need it and happy to great me with a blank page ready for my thoughts.

Goals and ideas. 
Journaling keeps my connected with my goals. I don’t just write my journal, I read it too. Goals, resolutions, wishes, good ideas and even vague aspirations are all in there. Sometimes I will change modify or add to the list, but they can’t be forgotten like previous years, because they are in the journal. I have set a theme for the year, an overall aspiration that I write on every page, in the corner, down the side in different colours or styles. This keeps it in the forefront each day and is a real spur to achievement.

The Happiness factor.  
I have frequently read about gratitude being a factor in happiness, but now that it's a tool I use in my journaling I know it makes a huge difference. Every time I write in my journal I try to think of something I am grateful for and write it down. Even if I have to dig deep for the thought, once I have it, the smile always follows. My journal is also a place where I work things out; writing it down really does help. Whether it is a practical or emotional problem that needs sorting out, my journal can act like a coach or counsellor and guide me to the answers I have inside.

It’s fun! 
In my journal I have my own logo, designed by me and for only me with a felt tipped pen. I have mottoes, jokes and quotes. I choose themes for the day, week, month and year. I can draw badly, write beautifully or ‘shout’ in red pen or capitals – it doesn’t matter. My journal is my own private place, like a childhood den with a favourite toy, big cushions and some snacks.

Journaling equipment:

·         A pen.

·         A notebook or some paper.

That is all.  For many years I have promised myself I would keep a journal, looked out for the right pen, the right leather-bound notebook etc. It has never really happened. I have tried journal apps on my android phone as well, but they are not as welcoming, not as much “me” as simple pen and paper.

This year my only resolution at midnight on New Year’s Eve was to write a journal, no matter what. So my journal started in my son’s old Harry Potter notebook with an old biro that I had lying around. Now, the very fact that the journal exists has given me a place to put those nice pens and a reason to buy a pretty notebook when I see it reduced. Harry Potter will be my journal until it is full, and then the little pink silk-backed number I picked up last week in the sale.