Welcome to the March N.N newsletter!

In this issue are articles about how the recession is affecting us, tips on keeping your data secure, a historical fact about the monument that most of us have driven past at some point and some business resources & services.

Yellow & Red Stickers
Over the past year or so there has been a noticeable increase in the number of items in the 'reduced date expiring' food section in mainstream supermarkets and local satellite supermarkets such as Tesco Express, Budgens, and CO-OP etc. This section's shelves are now full of the familiar yellow or red sticker attractively priced bargains to be sold.

In some stores, if you see a crowd gathering in a corner and people almost waiting their turn for a look, then you know it's the bargain section. Obviously with less disposable income floating around at the moment and more people not working, the unavoidable food spend has had to be curtailed. Some people now go straight to the bargain section and many cannot resist a look!

However, this has brought some good food products down to an affordable price for some that consist of the supermarkets' 'finer, better quality' ranges. Most of these dishes are better quality and many healthier in the sense of better quality or more natural ingredients. There are also pricier items that many would not normally choose to buy such as whole pheasant or quails eggs. At these reduced prices, consumers can now sample delights that are not normally on their shopping list.

If this trend in the stores continues, supermarkets could get wise and increase the shelf availability and start moving low sales items to this section and tag them with the infamous yellow or red stickers. The recession has made many of us consumers evolve as shrewd food price colour sticker junkies!

A Brighter Future?
Most people have been affected by the current economic situation and have to deal it with accordingly.  We asked a cross section of Northamptonshire people what the recession means to them and more importantly what do they feel the future for them holds.

Henry, 75, retired. Henry says a few things have changed in this recession noticeable the rise in the cost of petrol and insurance for his ten year old Skoda. Many retired people such as Henry are dependant today on their car to get them about, for shopping and leisure. His state pension doesn't go very far and the Budget rises do not cover the increase in gas, electric or his motoring costs so he  is worse off every year.

Jane, 34, single working mother. Jane works for the local council, enjoys her job but isn't that well paid. She is unhappy at present, being off the property ladder, stuck renting her house as she cannot afford to save a deposit  - no spare money after her outgoings. Jane doesn't drink or smoke, run a pet, have a flat screen TV or satellite/cable subscription, buy clothes for herself or go out socially. Any spare money is spent keeping her car going which due to the design of recent vehicles have particular expense when anything fails. Her circumstances for the foreseeable future will not improve due to escalating cost of amenities, car and running the children.

Steve, 38, employed IT professional. Steve has been working freelance for a financial institution for two years having had his contract renewed every six months.  The money is good, but there is no guarantee that his contract is renewed every time. Two of his colleagues were not renewed and have been out of work for over six months. Steve has a partner and toddler and rents a small three bedroom home. He would like to get on the property ladder but is currently paying off credit card and loan debt. Steve echoes many people saying he wish he hadn't run up some much debt and just went without instead previously.  His brighter future  may come when he's debt free and can save a deposit. This unfortunately for Steve is many years away.

Paul, 41, unemployed marketing agent. Paul who is single, has been out of work since July last year. Having worked for a company with a steady salary, his world changed when made redundant. Paul looks for work every day, e-mails potential companies and 'markets' himself to the best of his abilities. He visits the Job Centre Plus office every two weeks to sign on for his Job Seekers Allowance. He has survived missing his salary, by cutting back on everything and selling unwanted items for his garage and loft. Currently his car is off the road as he cannot afford needed tyres, MOT and insurance. He lives day by day and buys his food almost daily as he has to take advantage of the local stores offerings on reduced price food that is in the clearance corner with the familiar yellow or red stickers on.  The gas, electric and water are a bit behind but the utility companies have been understanding. He can't wait to get employment again as he has no spare funds at all to go out with his friends, replace worn clothing, have his car fixed or meet someone. He is hoping it is just a matter of time.

Nigella, 49, part-time retail agent. Recently divorced Nigella that has a teenage daughter works part-time for a large supermarket looking after the cards section. She now rents a small two bedroom property after the family home was sold in the divorce proceedings. Her 'middle class' type lifestyle has changed overnight and she is having to cope with giving up luxuries such as gym membership, regular haircuts, pamper sessions and multiple annual holidays. She now has to be very selective on food purchasing and has found a friend that will service her '02' Mercedes rather than the main dealerships. Nigella is hopeful about the future and is waiting for her share of the previous house equity from the divorce. She intends to use it as a deposit on a small house.
Recession Weather
The spate of bad weather and this long winter that we have endured has been bad timing with our economic situation. The cost of our domestic fuel bills for the winter quarter will probably be the highest ever. We're in March and the heating is still on! Should we now adopt visiting friends and relatives more, leave the heating off at home and save on our bills?
Whilst most of us are watching the pennies, we have no choice to keep warm and on goes the heating. We have become so dependant on what used to be a luxury. However, the price we now pay are larger bills when the weather is bad.
In addition to fuel bills, for some it was a case of loss of earning from days lost not be able to attend the workplace or operate a 'normal' day on the road. Nature's weather has the power to easily impact our fragile economy and consumers pockets. The rise of home working has impacted the use of gas and electric at home when once the home could remain cold and unused all day long.
Lets hope the Winter ends soon and the Spring does start!
Backup your data!
10 Tips - Keep your business data secure
1. Consider the physical access to your data on your computer system. Ensure that the server is physically secure and cannot easily be unplugged and removed.
2. Audit data access. Restrict employees that do not need access. Ensure that employees have not access to information that is not pertinent to their position or role.
3. Backup! Regularly backup your database. Use suitable removable media and do not leave the backups in the same location. Store the backups offsite or even at home. USB data keys are not recommended as they can fail and be lost!
4. Maintain one central version of live data. Using copies of data will be out of date and could impact business decisions . Multiple copies are also a security concern.
5. Secure the Database Administrator. This person must be in a position of trust as they generally have access to all data including any sensitive or personal data.
6. Protect off-line copies of data. If copies of data exist, especially on mobile devices such as laptops, PDA's and phones, these can be lost or stolen. Remember that your backups are also vulnerable if they are not stored in a safe location.
7. Encrypt your data. If possible password protect all database backups to prevent data being compromised if stolen. If the environment allows, encrypt database traffic.
8. Safeguard user access. All user access to your data should be password protected utilizing strict password policies. Accounts of employees that have left your company should be disabled.
9. World Wide Web. If you have business data on a website database, ensure only publicly accessible data is available unless you are utilizing firewalls and require private to be available for access via the web.
10. Plan for a disaster. How long can your business run without access to the data? Consider different disaster scenarios including loss of network access, hardware and software failure, staff illness, premises fire.

FREE Discount Card
Local discounts & online cashback. Money off products around town. Large brands including: Tesco, Comet, Boots, Halfords, Next & HMV. read more>
Personalized Gifts
The Northants.net shop has a range of gifts, bags, clothing & accessories that are personalized to the area you live in, like Wootton, Grange Park, Milton Malsor, NN3, NN7 etc. Alternatively personalize them yourself! visit shop>
Private Advert
Mini Cooper 1.6. 53 reg. 26K miles on new engine. Metallic black, rare white alloys, mirrors and roof. Half leather, sports seats. Radio/CD. Electric mirrors, windows. Fitted Mini carpet mats. Tyre pressure monitor. Brand new Mini/BMW £3K engine 2 years ago at 68K miles. Recent new tyre, exhaust & CAT. 12 months MOT. Non smoker, lady owner. Reluctant sale - need larger car. £5500. 01604 701706

This month we are giving away a copy of Twilight New Moon on DVD. Certificate 12. enter>
Eleanor Cross
Two Eleanor Crosses exist in the county which are landmarks situated near Hardingstone & Delapre (on the London Road) and in Geddington.

Queen Eleanor of Castile was the wife of Edward I and the couple visited the royal hunting lodge in Geddington at the end of the thirteenth century.
Eleanor was taken ill and died in 1290. A funeral procession for her began its journey in Nottinghamshire to Westminster descending through Northamptonshire. Edward I later had crosses built at the resting places of the procession which included: Geddington and Hardingstone.
Of the 11 crosses erected, the two Northamptonshire crosses and the Waltham Cross (in Hertfordfordshire) survive to this day.
Business Forum
Register, discuss topics and promote your business for free online at the Northamptonshire Business Forum. www.northants.biz >
Northants Advertising
Advertise your business here in the Newsletter. details> Promote yourself over all 19 Northamptonshire postal code NN1-18,29 websites such as www.nn1.co.uk >
Website Development
Do you require a new website or website rebuild? Would you like to easily manage your products & services yourself?  A database driven bespoke Content Management System can be designed for YOUR needs. read more>
 
Selling your house?
Want to save on estate agent fees? An alternative way to sell your house revealed.

Northants Marketplace. Looking for a bargain? We will tell you where local traders are selling their products at bargain prices.