I have been questioning myself over the past few weeks whether 'Buddy's Friday' was giving any benefit to those who are finding it difficult in these troubled financial times.
I started 'Buddy's' because I felt so passionate about the fate of those who were trying to find a way through the muddy lane they had found themselves in. There was a time in my past when just getting through the day, let alone the week was nothing but a worry of where the next meal would come from.
It was only the skills taught to me by my Mother and Grandmother that saw me through.
But like many, over the past few months, I have found myself just accepting the situation and the daily news has made a less and less of an impact in my daily life.
I guess I just lost the passion.
But with the latest statistics on unemployment been released this week, the passion has returned.
I am just so damn angry.
Government ministers seem to throw around figures as if they are candy floss.
According to the latest figures, the number of jobless rose to 2.38m in the three months to the end of May according to the National Statistics Office, the worst figure since 1995. It followed a record quarterly increase of 281,000 compared with the three months to February.
The number of unemployed people is expected to peak at around 3m during the first half of 2010.
THREE MILLION!!!
My God. I can't believe in this so called modern civilised society that we can just sit back and accept this.
Now 2010 is only six months away and already I can see many families in great distress as they face Christmas and the New Year.
I had been considering closing 'Buddy's Friday'.
But I am determined to carry on. I felt 'Buddy's' had lost it's way and I wasn't sure if it was helping those who might get some help from it.
What do you think?
Is it worth continuing?
But it isn't just about me. I am only the page where we can show our concern and our skills for others.
Please let me know how you feel.
Are we doing any good?
I will continue to run 'Buddy's' every Friday but I can't do it on my own. I just don't have the vast array of skills needed by the folks out there.
But a community, even an online community can move mountains, so I am asking you that if you feel you can contribute, please do.
I am also going to post a 'Buddy's Special' every Saturday where I will post links to blogs that I feel could be of value.
Today's Buddy's Links
A Frugal Stretch
Consuming the Harvest
It's Frugal Being Green
Frugal Carol
Silver Sewer
Posts
9 comments:
Oh Margaret, I'd love to have it keep going. Yes it's small, however it's the little steps that help others. Maybe we don't all do it right every week, yet I firmly believe in our own small way it helps. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
Our unemployment figures are up too. It's frustrating and scary.
Hugs..
I left a laundry post at my place. Hope Mr. Linky comes around! Liz
Please do not stop Margaret, I love reading what you have to say.
As a pretty frugal person myself I find reading other peoples ideas give me food for thought.
I will try and concentrate a bit and come up with some of the money saving ideas that I have and do a blog post.
Not having taken part it wouldn't be fair of me to comment on the Keep going / not keep going debate but I agree about the unemployment figures. I remember when the figures topped 1 million for the first time ever and we were told the previous Government had lied about the figures; keeping them artificially low by some means or other. Wow, One Million. Couldn't believe it at the time. Now we sit back and accept that 3 million is inevitable. Being retired without a day out of work I realise how fortunate I was, my heart goes out to each and every one of them.
Hi Margaret-
I had just decided yesterday that my Buddys Friday posts from next week on would be my weekly menu plan and tips and tricks I've gather throughout the week plus the occasional "thrify" book I've read. Then if I had something else to add, ok - if not, ok.
I chose those two ideas because menu planning is something new to me and I'm finding that it helps me considerably with waste and overspending. As a 'newbie' to this, I find others' plans inspiring and very helpful for new ideas and/or combinations. I hope it will help those who are new to the idea out too.
The 'tips and tricks' part I chose because I run across lots and lots of ideas throughout the week and thought I could gather some for others to read.
Being fairly new to "frugality" I'm still learning and wouldn't have a lot of ideas that I've used for ages . . . it's all new to me, lol!
I have found that there are so many who are my age and younger who really have no idea. I'm especially interested in food & cooking (thus my recipe posts) and there are many "out there" who buy way too much and throw the excess away, not always because they don't care, but it's habit and they're not sure how to break it (menu planning is great for this!).
It's just easier for me to know what I'll be writing and if some other idea pops up too, fine. Maybe this would work for others? For them to say 'this is what my Friday posts are about', maybe not? I hope this works for you, if not say so - just please don't give it up, from a little seed.....
**Did a B. Friday post - recipe, lol**
Margaret, I posted my Buddy Friday just now.
Hope Mr. Linky gets fixed for you.
Margaret,
I have read Carol's Buddy Friday posts, but I didn't really know what it was all about. I really like the idea and I think it should continue.
Carol also mentioned that I check out your blog because she thoguht I might want to contribute to Buddy Friday. Check out my blog and let me know if you agree and would like me to contribute:
http://100milesofcalgary.blogspot.com/
I know I have not been posting much, but I would love you to keep it going, and I promise to make more of an effort to post.....
Gill in Canada
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