Gettin’ Competitive
Energy Prices. here we go again. I’m betting most of us will not only be hitting the energy supplier comparison websites over the next few months, but as the temperature drops every homeowner will start to look for some saving energy tips and advice.
For me and my sister, it’s become something of a competition…
“I’ve turned our heating down 2 degrees, no one has even noticed”.
“I’ve got one of those no-standby plug thingies so that when the TV goes off EVERYTHING goes off with it – no more Xbox humming away to itself for hours”
“I’ve replaced all the children’s bedroom curtains with really thick heavy ones that will actually keep the heat in”
(I beat her with that one – she’s got blinds so couldn’t trump it ;) )
Those handy folks at E.On have produced an infographic (you can see it at the bottom), all about how competitive we are, and how we compare ourselves to each other.
It got me thinking – I’m not like that, really. I’m good with who I am – I don’t need to compare what I have or do to other people, I really don’t.
But then I started thinking some more.
WHY exactly am I so addicted to programmes like Location, Location, Location or Home or away? Yes, okay, I want to move – but mostly, let’s be honest here, it’s about having a nosy around other people’s homes. Don’t tell me you don’t do it. You know very well that the minute No.37 put their house up for sale you were straight on to RightMove to see what they had done with the place inside.
And when other bloggers post pictures taken in their home, you KNOW you look at the photo twice – once to see what they want to show you, and the second time to have a squint round the edges, to see what their home is like, and admire what they did with the fireplace. Yes, yes – don’t deny it.
E.On even made up a little quiz to get you thinking:
You’ve popped round to your friends for a catch up and they’ve recently updated their décor. Are you…?
a) Madly jealous because it looks much nicer than yours now.
b) Annoyed because your décor skills aren’t up to scratch.
c) Inspired, so take a good look around for inspiration.
Me? That’s a C. I don’t begrudge anyone anything, and I’m certainly happy in the limits of my DIY skills. But I’m insatiably curious, and I’ll admire openly and freely. Go on, invite me round to see your new wallpaper – I’ll gush enough for the neediest homeowner to feel satisfied.
You’re at home and your neighbour has friends round for a BBQ in the garden. Do you…?
a) Turn on some music and invite friends over because you’re not one to be outdone.
b) Decide to have your own BBQ and put on a tasty spread.
c) Peep out of the window to see how much fun they’re having.
For me, that’s either B or D. I don’t need an excuse to have a BBQ (though would possibly feel a bit weird of we copycat-ed the next door neighbour in this rather obvious fashion), but more likely D – smile at them having fun and carry on as we were…
Your friend is making you lunch and you’re having a quick peek in the fridge to see what you fancy, do you…?
a) Never mind what’s in the fridge I want this monster fridge with all the mod cons!
b) Look in awe at the sheer variety of food and ingredients in there.
c) Consider stocking your fridge with some of the ingredients.
Again I’m mostly a B – I’ll happily and loudly “Ooohh!” in awe at anyone’s fridge contents (why are they always more exciting then my own?). I might be inspired to try something new from their stocks, so that’s a bit of a C too. And yes, if they have a big American double fridge I may just wander over and stand and stroke it, so that makes me A too.
So – I may be curious and inspired by you, but I’m not really a competitive type. Unless we’re playing Scrabble. Then things may well get heated…
Take a look at E.ON’s saving energy hub – you might find there’s some handy tips in there that you haven’t considered for yourself.
