Nerd Church - It's All About The Money

Let's talk money, shall we?

With prices climbing, and incomes not doing the same, (plus an unstable global political climate, which often has a knock-on economic effect,) we need to be able to talk openly about all that awkward financial stuff.

Regular readers of DORA might be aware that I am regularly broke.

Don't get me wrong - thanks to the kindness and support of my parents,  and the country and time period I live in, I have a comfortable life that has plenty of privileges.

But I'm very much dependant on my parents. And in my 20s, with retired parents, that's not a position I thought I'd be in.

I work for myself, and if I ever get an additional part-time or temporary job, I'd need it to be the right fit for me because of my mental health problems. Money's nice, but being alive is a priority.

So when it comes to supporting all of the amazing and wonderful causes and creative people out there, I have to say 'no' time and time again.

And that feels bad. Because I would love to be able to give £5 to Cause A and £5 to Person B, but I know that I can't afford to. I donate and/or support when and where I can, and no more.

And I have to somehow convince myself that I have no need to feel guilty - that I have to come first, because otherwise I can't help anyone else.

via GIPHY

So why, if my parents are supporting me, don't I have more spare cash?

Well, I'm saving - or trying to, it's not easy with business expenses, family/friends' birthdays, and low interest rates.

I'd like a house at some point in the future. And enough income to pay the bills for it. I'd also like to do a degree (probably with something like the Open University.)

I'd like to not feel like a burden on my parents, who've already had to help my brother get on his feet.

Basically - I'd like something that's mine. I'd like a future. 

And I know I'm not alone in that - it's a problem that we millennials are looked down on for, and it's a problem that's NOT of our own making.

And I know how tough it is to make money in today's world...

(...particularly when affiliate agreements may or may not have a clause that prevents you from coming straight out and saying 'please use my links to buy things.')

And even monetising your blog is difficult enough - especially if you're not so good with maths.

I'm currently looking into adding ads to DORA, but business things like that leave me totally baffled (thank you suspected dyscalculia,) which means I have to spend more time going through things and trying to understand them than other people do.

Some people think that any monetising of blogs is somehow dishonest. I sure as hell don't.

If you're a blogger, monetise as much as you want to. Because you deserve it.

If you find you've got enough cash to go around? Go ahead and support other creative people and/or causes with it. Because they need it too.

via GIPHY

What am I trying to say in this post, exactly? I'm trying to say that it's ok.

It's ok to have to lean on others - no matter how uncomfortable it may feel; if you need it, then you need it.

It's ok to not be able to help and support other people when you want to - just do what you can, when you can.

• Buy a book by an author from a marginalised group, for example, instead of that bestseller.

• Drop some change in the charity box by the supermarket till.

• Buy the Big Issue (or whatever your local street newspaper is) instead of a gossip magazine

• Do the free stuff - bring traffic to the websites of deserving people and/or causes, promote them online, etc.

And most of all, never feel guilty for having to put your health - mental or physical - first. You've got to have something left to give.





Like this post? Here's some more!:

• Nerd Church - Millennials Are Gonna Get There... Somehow
• A Rough Guide To Supporting Authors When You're Broke
• Nerd Church - Rebel Valentine
• Nerd Church - The Age of Media

Charity Reading Challenge Update - November 2016

It's been a long time since I've been able to do an update for this challenge. Luckily, this month, I can!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge:

'Read for a good cause!

Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge.

You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.






November 2016

Number of books read so far: 3/10* (*total revised down to 10 from 20 - because I just wasn't going to make 20!)

This Month: 1





Title: Airport: Code Red by Michael White & James Patterson

Price: £0.25

Charity Helped:

The Red Cross -

The Red Cross does so much excellent work that it's hard to pin it down to one sentence -

they're there for crises big or small, providing emergency relief, aid, medical care, and tackling loneliness, protecting refugees, and training people in first aid.

Check out their website @ redcross.org.uk

They are active both within the UK and internationally

You can shop with The Red Cross on the high street, or on their online gift-shop here.

You can also donate directly (inc. to specific appeals) here.




My Thoughts on the Book:

I don't say this often. But I'd advise pretty much anyone to not read this book.

It's hugely Islamophobic from start to finish. I was hoping for something - anything - to provide some sort of counterbalance. But no.

What we have here is flimsy stereotypes and racist tropes, combined with a totally offensive scene where the Qur'an is thrown across the floor for no purpose other than antagonising a terrorist. Islam and terrorism is treated as one and the same throughout.

And we also have a good slab of sexism - just because.

The only reason I finished this book is because it's short and I'm woefully behind on this challenge. Save yourselves the pain.

I honestly can't believe a book published in 2016... strike that. It's 2016. *sigh*

I won't be buying any more James Patterson books 1st hand - charity shops only, even if I do read any of his others.

And this is going straight back to the donate pile. Maybe it can do some good there.

Total money raised for various causes: £4.49

Charities Helped: Fund for a local child, Oxfam, and The Red Cross.

Like this post? Try these:

• Charity Reading Challenge Update - August 2016
• The Charity Reading Challenge 2016

Charity Reading Challenge Update - August 2016

I can update this challenge! ;) Woo!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge:

'Read for a good cause!

Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge.

You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.






August 2016

Number of books read so far: 2/10* (*total revised down to 10 from 20 - because I just wasn't going to make 20!)

This Month: 1





Title: Vertigo's First Offenses (UK - US)

Price: £3.99

Charity Helped:

Oxfam - an excellent charity which is dedicated to the eradication of extreme poverty, providing emergency aid to those in need, and a brighter future for all.

Check out their website @ Oxfam.org.uk

Oxfam also help with poverty in the UK.

You can shop with Oxfam on the high street, or online here.

You can also donate directly here.




My Thoughts on the Book:

This is more an anthology of single issues than a graphic novel.
It contains 5 series starters from Vertigo's versatile range of devil-may-care comics:

• The Invisibles #1
• Fables #1
• Preacher #1
• Sandman Mystery Theatre #1
• Lucifer #1

My favourites were Preacher #1 and Lucifer #1. Both are kind of based in subverted religious iconography - so I really don't know what that says about me!

They were pretty good though, all in all.


Total money raised for various causes: £4.24

Charities Helped: Fund for a local child, and Oxfam.






Like this post? Try these:

• 1/2 Year Resolutions Update
• Charity Reading Challenge 2016 Update - March

Charity Reading Challenge 2016 Update - March

Yes! I have finally read something for this challenge!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge: 'Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.


March 2016

Number of books read so far: 1/20
This Month: 1


Title: Born on the Fourth of July (UK Click Here - US Click Here)

Author: Ron Kovic

Price: £0.25

Charity Helped: Local cause - sale to help a local child with medical care and equipment.

My Thoughts:

This is a non-fiction book detailing Ron Kovic's experiences as a Vietnam veteran; there is also a film of the book, starring Tom Cruise, of the same name.

Born on the Fourth of July is one of those books that everyone needs to read simply because it is a snapshot of history, and a testament to the uncomfortable truths that we need to remind ourselves of, and never let the world forget.


Like this post? Try these:

• Charity Reading Challenge 2016
• 2016 Bookish Resolutions

Want To Spread Some Christmas Magic?

There is a wonderful charity here in the UK called Post Pals (eagle-eyed readers will notice I have a permanent button linking to them at the bottom of my blog.)

Post Pals mails ill children and their siblings gifts, letters, and cards, to create smiles. It's as simple as that.

A reason to smile during a very difficult period in their lives can make a huge difference to a kid who isn't very well.

So, I figured I'd write a little post to try and drum up some support and/or Christmas cards.

It would be lovely if you could choose a few 'pals' you feel you have appropriate Christmas cards for, and send it to the 'care of' address on their profile page.

Or you can help spread the word by telling others who may be interested, or making a small donation. Post can be sent throughout the year, but obviously, Christmas is uber-special and the perfect excuse to spread some love!

Charity Reading Challenge 2016

A little while ago I signed up to the Charity Reading Challenge over on Becky's Book Reviews. So I figured I'd write a little post explaining my plans, and my reasons for doing the challenge.

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge: 'Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

I'm aiming to read at least 20 books for this challenge - seems doable!

The books I read will be from various charity shops, and I'm planning on giving challenge updates which include the name of the charity, the amount I spent on the book, and a bit of info on the charity (because charities can do with all the publicity they can get!)

I love helping charities - it's kind of my thing. And I figured, as I buy a lot of books from charity shops anyway, I could also help to raise some awareness of the fantastic work done by charities while I'm at it. (And it seemed fun!)