At least, that’s what I thought when I saw my entry to MagicOxygen’s short story competition hadn’t made the shortlist.
Trying to be optimistic, I decided to look on this not as a
failure, but as an opportunity to find another home for that particular story. It might do
better in a different competition. Perhaps a paying magazine will accept it.
Who knows, one day it could even catch the eye of a top agent or publisher!
And then I noticed
an even brighter silver lining.
One of the things that persuaded me to pay the £5 entry fee
to the competition was that Magic Oxygen pledged to plant a tree in a Word Forest in Kenya for every entrant.
Look, they’ve sent me the GPS coordinates so I can see
where my tree will grow.
It’s that time of year again, when you’re desperately trying
to think what to buy for those ‘difficult’ friends and relatives. You know, the
ones who’ve already got drawers full of socks they never wear, those who still
haven’t used the perfume you sent three years ago, the people who say you
really shouldn’t waste your money on them but who will take umbrage if you
don’t …
Here’s an idea for a gift that will make the recipient feel
good about themselves, won’t cost you a fortune in postage, and can be given
again – and again.
When I am Rich, charity won’t be a problem. I won’t have to
think twice about giving to every good cause that tugs on my heartstrings. ‘You
need some money? Of course!’ I’ll say. ‘How much? Would you prefer cash or a
cheque?’
But until then charity is a big problem, especially at this
time of year when there are so many fundraising campaigns all asking for my
money. I really wish I could give something to every Syrian refugee, every
person affected by typhoon Haiyan, all the sick and hungry children of the
world, the homeless and deprived in my own relatively rich country … and, no, I
haven’t forgotten the endangered animals, mistreated pets, and our threatened
natural environments.
Unfortunately my limited resources won’t s - t - r - e - t -
c - h that far.
When I do make a donation I want it to be put to good use,
and that’s the other big problem with charity. Call me an old cynic, but I
can’t help wondering how much – indeed, if any – of my small contribution will
actually trickle down to those who need it most. How much will be used for
admin and publicity? How much will be ‘diverted’ by corrupt officials? Or
simply get lost in a long supply chain?
And that’s why I found myself nodding and smiling when I
discovered Lend With Care. It’s a simple way of helping people who are working
hard to help themselves and their communities. Instead of giving handouts to
anonymous charities you lend a named individual the small amounts (minimum
£15.00) that they need to fund business enterprises.
The transaction is managed
by a microfinance institution that assesses the borrower’s business idea and,
if a loan is approved, agrees a monthly repayment schedule with them. As the
borrower repays their loan it is passed back to you, the lender. You can then withdraw
your money from the scheme, or reinvest it by loaning it to someone else.
If you’re not rich enough to give your money away this is a
brilliant way to make sure it goes round – and round – and round!
How often do you see something for sale that you'd love to have but, after a little hesitation, you decide not to buy it because
you can't really afford it
you're saving up for something more important
it's a want rather than a need
you'd feel guilty about treating yourself
If you live in the UK you can now take part in this competition that gives you the chance to win a prize you really want. As a bonus, the value of that prize will also be donated to your favourite charity. All you have to do is choose something you'd like from one of the retailers on the Give As You Live website and then spread the news about the competition to your friends.
To date, 2,393 companies have signed up to Give As You Live. They include familiar high street names such as Debenhams, M&S and Argos, as well as a huge range of independent specialist shops and services. So if you'd like to win a beautiful designer dress, the latest kitchen gadget, theatre tickets, some garden furniture, your favourite perfume (or chocolate!) you'll almost certainly be able to find it here.
And if you're not lucky enough to win, you won't have to feel so guilty about buying the item anyway when you remember that a percentage of the price will be donated to any UK charity you nominate.
I called in to a local charity shop to buy some Christmas
cards and came home with a surprise Christmas present for myself!
The first thing I noticed in the shop was this wooden easel
in perfect condition.
I’d been thinking I might treat myself to a lightweight
easel next summer, so I can try painting outdoors, and the price tag on this
one made it irresistible: just £3.99.
I eagerly handed over £5.00 and told the assistant to put
the change in the collecting box. ‘Are you sure?’ she asked, and I had to spend
several minutes convincing her that I thought I was still getting a bargain at
that price.
I felt rich being able to insist on paying more than
the asking price, the shop assistant was obviously pleased at being able to
boost the takings for the charity, and I hope the generous person who donated
the easel to the shop is also feeling rich!
You don't have to
be rich to help other people, and playing Freerice enables you to help combat
hunger simply by testing your knowledge and perhaps learning a thing or
two!
It began 5 years
ago and, in that relatively short time, Freerice has:
I’m feeling very rich today – I booked a holiday and gave a
generous donation to my favourite charity. My income hasn’t increased but I
booked the holiday through Give As You Live. It’s a clever website that has
gathered together thousands of online companies that give a percentage of their
takings to charity. Lots of companies make charitable donations of course, but
usually they decide where their money goes. The thing I like best about Give As
You Live is that, as a customer, I get to choose which UK charity or
fundraising organisation receives the money.
I don’t do a lot of online shopping but, when I’m thinking
of making a purchase, I’ve got into the habit of clicking on Give As You Live
first to check if the product I want is available through the site. It doesn’t
cost me any more to shop this way; in fact it can be cheaper as the site lists all the current special offers available from participating
companies. And, as a bonus, I receive an email afterwards telling me how much
has been donated to the cause I’m supporting.
Now then, can I afford some new clothes to wear on my
holiday …?
When I am Rich I won’t have to think twice about giving to charities. I’ll cheerfully donate millions to what I think are the most deserving causes. But while my funds are limited, I’ve discovered I can give a little money in return for a few minutes of my time – without even leaving my desk!
Many charities make money from their websites simply by asking people to click on them. The more visitors, the more they make from advertising revenue.
In less than a minute I can click on six different buttons here, helping not only organizations that are working to eradicate world hunger, but also those involved in other issues including health, literacy, conservation and animal welfare. (The site also has a store selling all kinds of ethical and Fair Trade goods, which helps to raise more money).
It takes longer to donate here, but it’s fun – and educational. Choose a subject and answer questions. Each correct answer earns grains of rice which are distributed through the UN World Food Program.
I’m hoping the game on this site will improve my – what was it? – ah, yes, my memory. If not, I’ll still be helping someone else.
I’ve also started using EveryClick as my main search engine. Each search I do generates a little income for a UK charity. There are lots of other charity search engines, some covering different locations or types of charities. You can find more here.
Now I really must stop playing games and clicking buttons. I need to do some work, earn some money, and then I’ll be able to give even more to charity!
When I am rich I will go to the most expensive hairdressers in town.
‘Transform me!’ I will say to their award-winning stylist.
My hair will be cut, coloured, curled, straightened and subjected to all the latest techniques known to art and science. It will be arranged this way, and then that way …
But will I end up with a hairstyle I actually like? It hasn’t happened yet.
I dream of beautiful hair, but I dread visiting the hairdressers. I’ve had too many disastrous haircuts over the years.
I’ve just bought a copy of Another HairCut? edited by Marit Meredith. It’s a collection of poems and short stories all on the theme of – you’ve guessed it!
I sympathised with the schoolgirl named Bog Brush, smiled at the tale of the grandfather who achieved his boyhood ambition to be like Samson, and chuckled at the tangled relationships of a Barber Shop Quartet.
It cheered me up no end to discover I am not alone in my failed quest for the perfect hairdo. And, if you need another reason to get your own copy, Marit is donating all the proceeds from the book to The Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association.
