My contemporaries who regularly mail newsletters always advise having...

 ‘one in the bag’

It's for the times when you simply can't think of anything to write.  

Or you have a technical mishap and for some reason you just can't get your words to screen. 

This has never appealed to me, as I’ve always believed a newsletter really should be as current as possible - newsworthy. 

Having said that, I am writing this one a week ahead of schedule (it's July 1st as I type) because I’m taking some time off and I don’t want to be distracted.

I have no idea whether England are still in the Euros. 

I don't know if we've had a heatwave or a freak flood. 

And who knows, my Bitcoin might be worth a billion (unlikely as I don't own any). 

Maybe having a few things in the bag could be helpful.  

Here are some that spring to mind:
 

A little cash saved now ready for Christmas? You know the festive season is always going to cost more than you planned. 

A couple of favourite meals in the freezer. For those days when you fancy something special, but you really can't be bothered to cook. 

All the birthday and greeting cards you need for the next 90 days. I know someone who does this four times a year. The amount of stress it removes by having all the cards written and lined up in date order makes me smile (even though I love to take the Mick about how overly organised she is). 

I’ve always booked my next haircut before leaving the hairdressers. That way, I'm not panicking when I start to look like Leo Sayer and my hairdresser doesn't have an appointment for two weeks.

Having one in the bag removes stress. 

In fact, knowing I've written this newsletter and set it up to auto send next week gives me a strange sense of achievement.   

Now should I have put a tenner on England getting through to the final? 

Be Brilliant!