As the oil downturn grinds on relentlessly, more and more folk are hurting.

Not just those in the energy sector – although we all have friends who have lost their jobs. The ripple out of these bleak times is hitting other areas, too.

Witness the number of businesses and restaurants closing their doors – most of them local enterprises.

Now, we could all just shrug and say “oh well, what can we do … it’s a global issue?”

Sure, the rear end falling out of the oil sector is a worldwide problem. But we are not helpless, certainly not when it comes to our local economy.

Those of us who are still fortunate enough to afford it, need to think carefully about where exactly we are using our spending power.

Consider that phrase: spending power.

There is a lot of power as to where we put our cash, which businesses we support, which shops we buy in, which restaurants we eat in, which pubs we drink in.

We are blessed in the North-east to have some fantastic local retailers who offer quality products at prices which are more than reasonable.

For evidence, you need look no further than the Evening Express Local Retailer Awards.

Quirky shops, butchers, pubs, restaurants, brewers, farm outlets, we have a dizzying choice. So why not use them?

Let’s look at one of my favourite hobbies – having a beer.

Now, there are endless chain places I could spend my cash in, but there are, equally, fantastic independent pubs and brewers who are far better than the corporate joints.

Eating out? Well, think of a cuisine and you will find High Street cookie cutter eateries to hit every variation you can imagine.

But there are plenty of local people offering even better home-crafted fare – a lot of it more authentic than a chef following a menu set in a faceless kitchen somewhere hundreds of miles from Aberdeen.

Christmas shopping? So many homegrown shops out there offer fantastic things you can’t find in the big name chains.

It boils down to this. There isn’t anything you – or I – want that you can’t get from someone trading locally, who depends on our business to keep their doors open.

When you make a choice as to where you spend – especially in the approaching Christmas splurge – choose them.

Shop local.

Sport was all downhill … I’ll go straight to apres ski

A big thumbs up for ski centres celebrating the arrival of snow for the season … but you won’t find me on the piste.

As far as I’m concerned skiing is an invitation to humiliation and broken bones. Back when schools did cool stuff, my P7 class was sent for lessons at Hillend Ski Centre. Two weeks later I was given a letter for my mum, banning me from the slope as a danger to myself and those around me. A lack of co-ordination, skis and a steep hill is a heady mix.

Apparently I am missing out, especially on apres ski. I reckon I’ll dodge the cold and terror and cut straight to the warm bar and gluhwein, thanks.

Sturgeon is right to stand up to political bully Trump

If Nicola Sturgeon were to announce she’s found a way to let everyone in Scotland work just on Wednesdays, there would be some who would scream “what, every Wednesday?”

Witness the First Minister reminding President-elect Donald Trump of the need for a just society where everyone is treated equally regardless of gender, race or religion. Yet the critics are telling her to shut up and not upset the Yanks in case it hurts possible trade deals. Since when are human rights commodities to be traded?