Yes I know, it's now 2009 and I should be doing the usual: Summary of 2008, brief look into 2009, New Year's Resolutions, wash lather rinse repeat. But I'm not, so Blogger can stop telling me what to do and stick it all up its [/ URL].
Sorry, spot the PMS (no prizes). Without further ado, I'd like to point you towards the Credit Crunch. Look out of your window and you'll see it; alternatively you could look deep into Gordon Brown's eyes (not too deep, you'll catch Dailymailitis) and you'll see it. Or you'll just see the beginning of cataracts. You could also look into the derelict windows of what was your local Woolworth's - I tried this, and ended up getting depressed and dropping my pasty on the cold, hard, bourgeois floor.
A little while back, Fox of foxkadmon.blogspot (see links) offered us a slightly optimistic view on the dreaded Credit Crunch (sorry - why is it always capitalised, like a proper noun? As an ex-English student I object). I appreciated it, however I strongly disagree, but you my dear reader are not here merely for me to subject upon you my bile, as much as I do indulge myself on the odd occasion. So instead I've compiled a quick list: How to Beat the Credit Crunch.
Don't Buy Labels. I mean all aspects of, therefore; from food brands such as Coke, etc to clothing brands. Replacing food brands with the supermarket's equivalent is an obvious one. Cothing however is trickier, specifically if you're the average heterosexual male. Shopping online means you don't have to pay top whack, but also means you don't have to buy in bulk from Primark.
Who can help?: www.boohoo.com, COMPANY magazine (the only acceptable glossy)
Put Down the Mouse. No, don't euthanise Mickey, I meant stop buying online. Pound sterling is now the same value as the dollar, so it's not as fun any more to buy games/consoles/DVDs etc from the States at 25% off.
Who can help?: Only you, my friend. Only you. (Or eBay).
Make a Compost Heap. Stuff that can go on compost heaps: food scraps, degradable food wrappers, fruit peel, vegetable peel, fish carcasses etc. Stuff that cannot go on compost heaps: younger siblings. If only I'd known in advance how hard it was to get banana rind out of eyelids.
Who can help?: Apparently not NHS Direct, who told me there were actual medical emergencies waiting to be answered and told me to 'get off the line'. Killjoys.
Recycle the Things You Wouldn't Normally. Get your college/uni to host a Clothes Swap day. Swap your unwanted presents online. Keep your birthday cards and make new ones for family members who are bound to love a homemade card.
Who can help?: www.eswapit.com, www.whatsmineisyours.com
Start a 'Trade Guild'. You can do this with clothes, video games, accessories or anything really, all you need is a few close friends of similar interests/sizes/consoles and a little money. You all pool your money for a specific item you all want and that item stays in an 'Inventory' i.e. somewhere where you all can access it until one of you wants to borrow it.
Who can help?: A few friends with similar interests.
That's it for now. We'll be back to normal programme schedules soon.
PS: Jeff, if you're actually reading this...I'm so gutted I missed out on your lasagne the other day. Oh, and thank you for reading! Wow, I have a reader...
PPS: Brawny, get well soon or I'm coming up there with some script ideas and a bottle of Cillit Bang. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
3 comments:
Your blog is all true!
Oh and you wouldn't have to go very far, I'm back in Poole :P
YAY! (I wouldn't have known this, my phone is broken so I've become a social hermit)
Puuub...?
Actually, I know quite a few heterosexual males who don't buy main brand clothing. Like...umm.
Asda Cola is nicer than normal coke anyway. Loads cheaper too.
Good to have you back.
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