Hello ,
I remember writing a New Year’s message in 2009 just after the big crash, when times felt very tough and it was hard to know when we would see the light
again.
My thoughts then were similar to what keeps occurring to me now as we face a year of even more
uncertainty.
Whatever happens politically, economically or even socially this year, the best way we can all cope - in fact more than cope…actually thrive - is to increasingly look away from our own little lives and help others in any way we
can. Only by sharing what we have (food, skills, space, time) will we all have enough.
I thought this strongly ten years ago and everything that has happened since has only served to reinforce my belief in
it.
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Last year I interviewed some lovely mums who had all struggled with debt and were helped by Fair For You (I’m
patron of the charity behind it). One of them who lives in a council flat with her two kids said that although she has no money, she’s never been happier because her neighbours are like family to her. If one of them has run out of nappies, others will give her some to tide her over. They look after each other every day. She feels rich.
Imagine how our society would improve if all of us picked just one family or even just one person each to watch over and help in any way we
can.
Much of what we talk about in MoneyMagpie is, rightly, about how you can manage your own money properly, make extra to invest and how to get fun stuff for free. We help you get the most for your family and develop a nice little
nest egg for your future.
This is all important stuff and the more we understand how to get on top of our money, the stronger our society will be and the the more stable our
communities.
But, on its own, being good with our own money is not enough. Just looking after ourselves makes us all poorer. It certainly increases inequality and in the UK we really don’t need any more of that. Both Oxfam
and and the IPPR say the UK is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world.
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Fundamentally, though, it just makes us unhappy. We might blame that general, daily sense of grey despondency that particularly clings to us around this time of year on someone else, or our lack of cash or a physical problem.
But usually it’s more to do with a lack of ‘connectedness’. We need to connect with others. Studies show we can’t get away from the fact that the best way to be happy is to try to make others
happy.
It’s particularly the case if you think you’re so down you have nothing left to help others. Those who know sorrow are often best placed to lift others out of it. Like the comedian Iain Lee who kept a suicidal man on the line during his Talk Radio show until the ambulance could get to him just before Christmas. Lee has struggled with depression himself so he understood something of what the man was going
through.
A few things I’ve been writing on my New Year’s Resolution list for myself are:
- Give more away on Freecycle.org and Gumtree Free Stuff. So many people need the basics in life for free.
- Keep a look-out for people who might be planning on jumping on the line when I’m at a train or tube station, and be more generally aware of people harbouring suicidal thoughts.
- Be a lot more aware of what I’m buying - not to let cheapness or convenience stop me supporting small businesses and fair
trade.
- Actually phone up distant friends and relations every now and then to connect properly with them. I can go from one end of the year to the next without having any communication with people I’ve known for years. Weird
that!
- Spend more time with people and less with electronic media.
MoneyMagpie.com is all about how to have ‘a richer life’. The best way to have that richer life is to connect.
Wishing you the best for 2019!
Lots of love,
Jasmine
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Vital tips for keeping your New Year's Resolutions in 2019
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If this has inspired you to create some New Year's resolutions for 2019, you're going to need help keeping them.
We have TEN great pieces of advice to help you push on and become the person you want to be in 2019.
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Read More
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Competitions - our gifts to you
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This week we’re giving you the chance to win a £25 Amazon Voucher.
What would you spend the voucher on?
The competition closes on Monday 21st January at midnight!
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Enter now
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6 days of Christmas comps!
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There is still time to enter our 6 days of Christmas competitions.
Would you like a fancy new watch?
How about a beauty hamper?
Then what are you waiting for?
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Enter now
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If you think your friends or family will find this newsletter helpful, you can email it to them.
Every newsletter is bursting with money making and money saving ideas, plus exclusive deals, competition prizes and freebies.
Love, Jasmine |
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