Homeless-help magazine the Big Issue is flogging "tick lists" online to help people get some order and clarity into their lives.

The ecommerce venture - which will pump half of sales to help homelessness - has a series of downloadable lists which should help people "get over life's sticky moments, around tight corners or through boring, stressful everyday tasks".

It works like this. Say you want to know how to get a job. BigIssueLists has a six-page sheet on the topic that should make getting a job a cinch.

Here's the section on "Attending a job interview":

"Prepare for the interview". Check

"Arrive in plenty of time." Check

"Make the best possible impression." Check

Who could fail?

Anyhow, on a more serious note, the site touches on more than 100 topics, including what to do when faced with bereavement, coping with depression and parenting issues.

It isn't all serious stuff though - there also a section on organising parties and weddings.

The lists only cost a couple of quid each - a small price if they actually help and make people less stressed. ®