Take my charity challenge as I set out to make Banks and Brokers Clear and Engaging

Most of what I read from banks, brokers, and insurance companies makes my eyes tired and numbs my brain. It’s time to turn the tide. Bellyaching is tempting, but I kicked the antacid habit about a year and a half ago and I’m not going back. Instead I’m going to put up or shut up so here’s my challenge:

The basic challenge
Show me the worst of the worst or simply something you just don’t “get.” I’ll rewrite it so you do and make it engaging at that. If I can’t do it—as voted on by you my website visitors—I’ll donate $25 to a charity of the submitter’s choosing. I’ll do so for up to ten submissions.

What I need from you:

1. The examples.
2. What about it confuses you or bores you and why you care enough to send it to me.
3. What charity you’re selecting.

What I don’t want from you:
Don’t send me anything with account numbers on it or “employees only” stamped on it. You don’t need the privacy risk and I don’t need the lawsuit.

What I promise to do:

1. Redesign my blog so you can see the samples and vote on them.
2. Tell you if I can’t or won’t use your submission and why.

Why I’m doing this:

• Money makes a difference. I want you to understand it and have control of it so you’re in the best position possible to live the life you choose.
• I’m committed that my work makes a difference. What I do only matters if it’s used. If you don’t get it or you’re bored by it you’re not going to read it. I’m not OK with that anymore.
• I’m committed to accountability. This goes for the corporations and the consumers. When we know what we’re agreeing to we can hold each other accountable to achieving it. No excuses, no whining, no bull.
• I’m committed to simplicity and workability. Life can work, it can work well, and it can be worth living every single day. That’s the world I’m committed to.
• I need work samples. Most of my work prior to the layoff was proprietary. I want to show prospective employers and business owners what I can do.

Dates for this challenge:
All entries are due by Saturday, January 16, 2010. I’ll complete all ten samples chosen by Friday, January 22, 2010 at 5 p.m. Central Time.

And start saving your Help File and assembly instruction examples too. They’re my other pet peeves so I’m taking those on next. Let’s have some fun!