Radical Reward Charts (review)

This is my son's new reward chart from Radical Reward Charts. They sent me one to review, and so far we are very impressed.

Radical Reward Chart

I had been wondering whether a reward chart my be a useful way to encourage my son to do the things I want him to do more of - like trying new foods or getting dressed without too much messing about. 

He will be 5 next month, and doesn't really understand money yet, so a monetary bribe doesn't work. I don't really want to give him sweets or small plastic toys. Stickers are enthusiastically received but tend to get stuck on his t-shirt and then end up in the washing machine. So I looked at the reward charts in high street shops but I found them a bit dull and uninspiring.

The Radical Reward Charts look a lot more fun. My son chose the lovely Reedy River design, which has a blue border and goes well with the blue decor in his bedroom. We have stuck it on the side of the chest of drawers so that you can see it as soon as you walk in the room.

One of the things that is particularly appealing about Radical Reward Charts is that they are designed to be used with a laminated photo of your child to act as a moving piece to move up the chart. This is much more exciting and motivating than obtaining stickers on a conventional reward chart.

My son starts his journey up the Radical Reward Chart

We received a free Radical Reward Chart and laminated photo for the purposes of writing this review. This would normally cost £14 including postage and packing. All words and views expressed are my own.

Three Good Things - Week Two

I'm starting a new job on Thursday, and really looking forward to it. But moving house is proving to be more complicated and slower than I had hoped. 

However, there are always good things in amongst the hard work, and Liz from Margot and Barbara has encouraged me and various other bloggers to join in with listing 'Three Good Things'. So here are my 'three good things' from the last week.

1. 'Electric' by Pet Shop Boys
I love this so much I have been listening to it every chance I get. My son loves dancing with me in the living room, and this album has been a big hit with him too. 'Love is a Bourgeois Construct' is my favourite track. The photo below shows the Pet Shop Boys 'in' my living room.

2. envirofone Argos voucher

Normally when I get a new phone, I stick the old one in a drawer and forget about it. This time, I signed up with envirofone who sent me an Argos voucher for £118.26 in exchange for my old iPhone 4. I am planning to use this to purchase something for my new house when we finally manage to move.

3. Flowers

These beautiful flowers were given to me by my colleagues on my last day in my old job. I think they are the nicest flowers I have ever received.

Folding Hostess Trolley

I am now the proud owner of a folding hostess trolley, as shown in the photos below.

This trolley previously belonged to my husband's late uncle Emlyn. It's a nice way to remember him, and will look lovely in our 1970s house.

Linking up with Magpie Monday at Me and My Shadow.

Three Good Things - Week One

We're moving house soon (if all goes according to plan). This means I've been extremely busy recently. In amongst having too much to do, I want to note some good things as they happen. I've been wondering how best to do this. 

Then I spotted that one of my favourite bloggers, Liz from Margot and Barbara, has started a new weekly series of blog posts called 'Three Good Things' and she has encouraged her readers to do the same. So, without further ado, here are my 'three good things' from the last week or so.

1. New phone case

My new Harris Tweed phone case made by LifeCovers is utterly gorgeous and very practical. 

I bought it as a present for myself after getting rid of my iPhone contract and downgrading to a Nokia Asha 300 contract that will cost me £400 less a year. 

If you want to find out more about what I've done to reduce my annual outgoings, listen to this audioboo about How I've reduced my outgoings by £1000 per year.

listen to ‘How I've reduced my outgoings by £1000 per year!’ on Audioboo

2. Nearly finished '21st Century Boy' cross stitch

This Jolly Red '21st Century Boy' cross stitch kit is wonderful - I love the bright colours. I am very excited now the end is in sight and so is my little boy.

This is how it looked last September, when I first blogged about it:

3. Despicable Me

A couple of people recommended this film to me, so I bought it on DVD. We have all enjoyed watching it together, and my son was particularly impressed with the minions. Here is a snapshot of him wearing the free cardboard 'minion' glasses that came with the DVD.