Dear LPG,

I get up really early these days and tend to turn on the television for want of something else to pass the time.  I would like to advise anyone who has similar insomniac tendencies that it would not be a bad idea to turn to ITV if you are up and about at five O’clock a.m.    I find the programme quite entertaining, but apart from that, there is a lot to be learned from it too.

When you get to our age you would think that there is not much that we really need to get written proof of but, from time to time, we all have a habit of agreeing to things that involve our hard earned, or long saved, money and I have a few friends who have been conned along the way.  

The Judge, through the comedy, has taught me a few things about contracts and how the most innocent agreement can impact your future, and I know that they may well be obvious to many, but I thought it might be a good idea to reacquaint our memories… 

If you are using a company they will give you a contract, which I suggest you read every word of before signing. Remember that, even if you think what is being proposed by a man who turns up at your front door and offers to do a bit of gardening for you, is a good idea, you might need to do more than just agree with a hand shake. 

I also think that no one should ever agree to changes which involve money over the phone (even something as insignificant looking as a change in your existing mobile phone package or washing machine maintenance insurance).  The chances are that you will get little more for your money and, because you already pay those things by direct debit they will just start adding to the amount they take each month, and the change in price won’t even register with you if you don’t check your bank statements.

I just want to remind readers that, whatever the arrangement, it is always best to get written confirmation of what is proposed so that you can be sure of what you are agreeing to and have grounds and proof if it all goes wrong.

Even if you have never been to court you only have to watch an episode or two of Judge Rinder to learn just how many people have lost money which they would otherwise have been entitled to but for the sake of a written statement of affairs.  No matter the agreement, if money is involved, get a contract in writing. 

I suggest that any who read these LPG pages and get up really early, spend an hour every now and then watching this programme which, in my opinion will make you smile and can only help you to appreciate how forethought can be an ally. 

AN, Lewisham

AN asked LPG to leave a few excerpts from the television programme he is referring to which illustrate some of the really bizarre and unlikely reasons where a contract might help…

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