Not mentioning the ‘credit crunch’

Sep 26 2008 by Alan Shaw

I WAS originally going to write this week about the ongoing ‘credit crunch’ and so-called ‘financial crisis’ which we’re currently going through.

But I’m sure, like me, you’re probably sick of hearing about it.

We can’t seem to open a paper or watch the news now without being told about the doom and gloom that lies ahead.

Companies are going bust, the cost of living is spiralling out of control, and now our banks – organisations we trust with our savings and homes – have been facing trouble.

The politicians can’t do anything about it, they’re all too busy fighting amongst themselves.

Television news, in particular, has come up with the most sensationalist claims so far.

One reporter I was watching recently said that we could be heading for a recession as bad as the one which followed the 1929 Wall Street crash.

It then cut to a scene of people receiving handouts at a makeshift soup kitchen, which happened as a result.

Well that’s going to do a lot for consumer confidence. I still think that if it wasn’t for these types of reports, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in now.

Look at what happens when we are told petrol prices are about to rise – filling stations end up with queues seven miles long.

It’s a natural instinct to react when we’re told something bad is about to happen.

I realise that daily newspapers have space to fill and television stations have got machines which make fancy, whooshy graphics that they want to use.

But couldn’t all that be put to better use with some practical money-saving advice, rather than trying to convince us all we’re heading for a recession?

One thing is for sure, if we think like that, it will most likely happen.

Worst of all though, I’ve just realised that everything I’ve written has been on the very subject I was trying to avoid.

West FM will be bringing a bit of feel-good back with the West Sound Radio Awards on October 9.

Thanks to everyone who got in touch with their nominations, the finalists have now been chosen and it’s up to you who wins.

Cast your vote online right now at www.westfm.co.uk/awards

I’ll be back with you on the Breakfast Show next Monday from 6am, James will be with you for the rest of this week on 96.7 West FM.