Life

Marie Louise McConville: Stop moaning and enjoy spending £100 voucher

I applied for the High Street Voucher Scheme this week and I can't wait to spend my £100 - I deserve it
I applied for the High Street Voucher Scheme this week and I can't wait to spend my £100 - I deserve it I applied for the High Street Voucher Scheme this week and I can't wait to spend my £100 - I deserve it

Honestly, what would be do with ourselves if we didn't spend so much time complaining, eh?

Chances are we could write a series of books, travel around the world or explore space - each would take a considerable amount of time but that's how much time we spend moaning, it seems.

I'm actually surprised we don't have an Olympic team dedicated to complaining - we would win gold every time.

This week, there was a bit of good news (you would think) for householders in Northern Ireland when the High Street Voucher Scheme went live.

Almost anyone aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland can apply for the £100 card and applications can be made until October 25. The card must then be spent by November 30.

The aim of the programme is to get people out shopping on the high street to help support local businesses which took a hit during the pandemic.

With a free £100 coming my way, I'd been counting down the days to get online and apply and when Monday came, I, like many, many others, logged on to get the ball rolling.

However, within just a few hours (I'm surprised it even took that long), the complaints came rolling in.

Many took to social media to rant about how they couldn't get on to the NI Direct website, others complained about how they had still not received an email link needed to add their personal details, while there were even some totally opposed to the free money (they can't buy me etc).

When I logged on I was taken to a page where I had to leave my email address.

Having done this, I was told I would receive an email with an attached link "shortly".

This email did arrive, around five hours later - but come on, what did we expect?

I added my personal details and around six hours later, I received another email thanking me for my application.

It informed me that they had to first check my details before gently reminding me I was just one of 1.4 million eligible, so it could take a while - so be patient (basically) - but they would get back to me.

I think this was fair enough.

With so many people eligible, of course it was going to take time to get online and apply.

Who on earth did not expect this?

Some people are just so quick to complain - yes it will take time and yes, we must be patient, is that so hard?

As for those `not taking this free money', wise up, you would be the same ones complaining if they hadn't offered us anything.

I played my part during the pandemic and am still doing so and I am very happy to be receiving this little thank you to spend as I wish.

I can't wait to hit the shops - after all, we've earned it.

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Just when you thought life had become strange enough, we're told cardboard furniture is next up and coming trend.

Apparently as more and more of us are trying to live more sustainable lifestyles, cardboard has become the latest textile to find itself in demand - after athletes slept on cardboard beds at the Tokyo Olympics.

According to interior designers, soon we will all be lounging back on cardboard as it is a lighter, less bulky option and if treated well, could have a life expectancy of 10 years.

This is one trend I don't think I'll be signing up for.

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Competition

Halloween is finally on the horizon, so how do you fancy winning a family pass for the cinema so you can treat the kids?

Movie House Cinemas has four locations around Northern Ireland, at City Side in Belfast, Glengormley, Maghera and Coleraine, and there's plenty of upcoming movies to keep the whole family entertained.

These include the animated adventure, The Addams Family 2 - 'Unhappy To See You Again' and the action-packed Ron Goes Wrong.

Also out this month is Boss Baby 2: Family Business, which sees the Templeton brothers reunited.

Full details are available at www.moviehouse.co.uk

I have two family passes for Movie House Cinemas to give away.

If you would like the chance to win a pass, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, October 5, 2021

(Q) How many Movie House cinema locations are there around Northern Ireland?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

COMPETITION WINNERS

The winners of the Such A Quiet Place competition are Marie Hughes, from Belfast, Eileen Donnelly, from Armagh, Marie McStay, from Lurgan, Brian Hill, from Belfast, and Frances Doyle, from Draperstown.