Writers, educaters and readers... I nead your help !

kathfisch

Hi Mike
Perhaps it would be worth doing an article about ways of saving/making money - I'm thinking switching utilities, searching for insurance quotes etc and using quidco to do all this. There are so many people who don't believe that the money I get from quidco is legal (or that I will get it at all!) and yet there is real money to be made from it, particularly if you regularly buy online.

Do you have any idea whether they are interested in any particular area of finance? You've got a good few suggestions here on quite a variety of topics, my advice would be to be clear about your area of 'interest' as it were. Do you want people to be able to write in with their questions? Perhaps you could have a theme each week for people to write in about and then you could answer a couple of questions and have some general information about the topic. It depends how much space they'd be prepared to devote to it.

As Martin said, its definitely a good idea to direct them to this site, as well as free debt help charities and possibly the Bank Action Group. I guess you'd have to check that the newspaper was prepared to print links - for instance if you were talking about budgetting it might be really crucial to link to the budget planner on here. Or info about reclaiming bank charges, you'd want to direct them to the site for more info.

There's lots to think about but its a great idea - well done you for trying to help others! :T

Sorry for waffling

Wonder_Girl

Well done Mike that’s great news :j

Could you may be do a little section at the end of each article that covers a certain area on the budget? Rather than do a whole budget in one do them in stages? Like one week how to lower your house hold fuel bills with tips and uswich etc. then the next week do food and how to plan meals etc break the public in gradually:p

I’m sure whatever you decide to do would be ace tho, good luck!:T :T

Mike_St_Helens

Guys, as usual your ideas are flawless....

I guess its about striking the balance between advice and answers...

Im sure, this site will swell once I get in the paper ! (If...)

Cheers ears

elantan

sorry to hi-jack your thread mike ..but a wee quick question..what exactly is an analyst? what do you do?i noticed your sig and was wondering ...sorry again for hi-jacking

Hello

Mike_St_Helens wrote:

Thank you, thats sweet.

What show was this, It shows though doesnt it, people really anrnt financially aware at all !! people just do not know.

Thanks Mike
I have been wracking my brains and I think I heard it 2 places, maybe the radio but definitely Working Lunch. I was off sick this week and it was some time during the day. It worried me, I think if people get this wrong, what else are they getting into without realising it?

H
x

Mike_St_Helens

elantan wrote:

sorry to hi-jack your thread mike ..but a wee quick question..what exactly is an analyst? what do you do?i noticed your sig and was wondering ...sorry again for hi-jacking

I was a Credit Analyst - I studi lending and underwriting for year. I qualifiesd to be a senior person who would say yea or nea if you want a loan.

Nothng to do with anal - ist... or is it ???

Mike_St_Helens

Hello wrote:

Thanks Mike
I have been wracking my brains and I think I heard it 2 places, maybe the radio but definitely Working Lunch. I was off sick this week and it was some time during the day. It worried me, I think if people get this wrong, what else are they getting into without realising it?

H
x

Exactly !!

btw, I love working lunch.. am i an odd bod ?

Mike_St_Helens

Im dead sorry to be slefish.

I really would appriciate any P.O.V.. so Im gonna bump all weekend... oerr...

bargainbetty

Hi Mike,

Congrats - sounds like you will be able to get the message out there! I'm kind of jealous.... would love to write for a newspaper!!

Don't worry too much about criticising certain financial products - how many of the tabloids splash pictures of 'disgraceful' stars showing half a nipple and then run pics of nude women elsewhere..... or articles talking gambling problems alongside ads for online betting services?

It's about filling space - not many have an 'ethical' ad policy!

I would start with budget issues, financial terminology, how to maximise your income, avoiding debt, and getting out of the consumer 'rat race', teaching teens fiscal responsibility, encouraging those in debt to use CCCS, and obviously directing people here!

Oh, and old style money savings, food planning, the tax implications of getting a second income, how to apply for grants, how to credit card tart, closing accounts that are unused to improve your credit rating, how to check your credit rating, shopping around for insurance, avoiding PPI, oh dammit now you got me started!

xx

Mrs_J_3

Congrats!

Like a million other people have said, I'd keep it simple. Perhaps a little blurb setting out your stall; your history, why people should listen to you, what they'll get from reading your column?? With regards to topics, some basic budgeting, common reasons people sink into debt, diferent types of loans etc. Or even better ways to make money on everyday stuff like using quidco (I give talks to groups and I always have their undivided attention when I talk about giving them more money in thier pocket ).

Best of luck, I've read loads of your posts/rants and am sure what you write will be informative and entertaining!