The Irish town that’s saying no to plastic sachets Last November, Clonakilty in west Cork set itself the goal of phasing out single-use plastic sachets before the start of this year’s tourist seasonMon Feb 24 2025 - 06:00
How driving more slowly can save you moneyNew lower Government speed limits are designed to make roads safer for everyone but they can also cut your fuel costs as well as saving on brakes and tyres Fri Feb 21 2025 - 11:24
How can Irish savers make their money work harder? Send your cash overseasWith Irish savers increasingly attracted by rates on offer in foreign banks, here’s what to look for – and the pitfalls to avoidWed Feb 19 2025 - 05:00
How often should you wash your clothes? French officials have the answerWash your clothes less and they will last longer, the detrimental effects of laundry practices will be reduced and you’ll save moneyMon Feb 17 2025 - 06:00
Romance, relationships and financial abuse: ‘They are terrified to go and spend €50 in Dunnes because they will be quizzed’All the messaging around Valentine’s Day is about love and harmony but there can be a distressingly darker side to relationshipsWed Feb 12 2025 - 05:00
On Valentine’s Day, say it with flowers – just don’t buy the ones with a bad backstoryGiving flowers is a lovely gesture, but the backstory of some bouquets is just plain uglyMon Feb 10 2025 - 05:00
How can you buy a home in Ireland on a teacher’s salary?Those lucky enough to get a mortgage over the line have a few factors in common. How are they doing it?Wed Feb 05 2025 - 05:00
Shifting our eating patterns away from animal products is smart for lots of reasonsA meal with less meat and dairy is better for our health, for the environment and for our pocketsMon Feb 03 2025 - 05:30
Do you know your credit history? It’s all on record and you have a right to itLenders are required to give the Central Credit Register details of all loans over €500 and you have the right to see your recordWed Jan 29 2025 - 05:00
A creative way to dispose of chipped or unwanted crockeryWaterford-based artist Sean Corcoran wants us to think differently about excess of all kinds, through the medium of unwanted mugs, jugs and platesMon Jan 27 2025 - 06:00
If your car insurance costs more than €568 a year, you may be paying too muchMany of us are overpaying for insuring our cars, here’s how to cut it backFri Jan 24 2025 - 10:16
How to save money in 2025: Low spend challenges, Revolut tip and direct debit reviewsFrom putting sums aside regularly to going on a no-spend week, here’s what the money experts adviseWed Jan 22 2025 - 06:00
Renting outfits instead of buying doesn’t cost the earthHaven’t got a thing to wear? Save money, save the planet, and look fabulous in hired occasion wearMon Jan 20 2025 - 06:00
Mortgages: If you’re coming off a fixed rate now is the time to consider switchingRising property values and new ‘green rates’ mean homeowners including first-time buyers can minimise rises in mortgage repaymentsWed Jan 15 2025 - 05:00
Home savings: Changing the way you boil the kettle could save you €30After your electric shower, tumble dryer and cooker, your kettle is the most energy intensive user of electricityMon Jan 13 2025 - 06:00
How can you make your savings work harder?Irish people are great at saving but not always as shrewd at maximising returns. Here’s how to improve your financial outlook in the short, medium and long termWed Jan 08 2025 - 05:00
Using the right bin can save money and reduce environmental impactOur recycling rate has not improved in a decade: here’s some tips on how to dispose of our waste properlyMon Jan 06 2025 - 06:00
50 people to watch in 2025: From film and music to arts, activism, sport and moreAs a new year gets into gear, here are the artists, entrepreneurs, activists and musicians set to shake things upSat Jan 04 2025 - 05:30
A tree is not just for Christmas. Was getting a real tree the right choice?Tending to a tree all year can be rewarding – plus it’s better for the environment than the plastic varietySun Dec 29 2024 - 06:00
Buying a new car in 2025? These are the best ways to finance it Cash is king but most people will need to borrow to fund a new car purchase so what are the merits of the different options?Wed Dec 18 2024 - 05:00
Four ways to use less electricity with your Christmas lightsA few simple adjustments this year can make Christmas a bit less harsh on the planetMon Dec 16 2024 - 06:00
Should you give your child’s teacher a gift card or voucher this Christmas?As thousands of students head off for Christmas, vouchers can be a hassle-free way to show appreciation - just make such you check the small printFri Dec 13 2024 - 11:00
Tips for avoiding a January credit-card hangover Using cash on a night out, planning your purchases and clearing your balance on time can help you keep control of your spending during the festive seasonWed Dec 11 2024 - 06:00
How your mini travel shampoo is costing your pocket and the planet - here’s an alternativeChoose refillable containers to carry your toiletries, or better still, opt for solid soap, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant barsMon Dec 09 2024 - 06:00
Buy now, pay later: Many don’t realise that buying clothes with services like Klarna is taking out a loanBuy now, pay later has become almost a default payment option for many, but it isn’t as straightforward as it seemsWed Dec 04 2024 - 06:00
Kids are showing up for the environment this unboxing season, cleaning up what adults have left behindOver 34,000 students have joined the Picker Pals programme, becoming environmentalists and removing 22 tonnes of litterSun Dec 01 2024 - 06:00
‘Buying the bank seemed daring’: how one couple transformed a rural bank branch into a home and businessFor this Tipperary family, moving from the country to the town to renovate the former Bank of Ireland building has paid dividends and provided them with a handsome space for their physical therapy businessSun Dec 01 2024 - 05:00
Does it pay to invest in solar panels before grants are cut in December?Green investment also promises lower energy bills and the chance to sell any surplus power back to the gridWed Nov 27 2024 - 05:00
One less geansaí Nollaig isn’t all the planet wants for Christmas, but it’s a startOur festive knits have become one of the worst examples of fast fashionSun Nov 24 2024 - 06:00
Pulling in top talent: Doggy day care, free lunches, pensions - not all perks are created equalEveryone loves freebies at the office, but not all perks are created equalWed Nov 20 2024 - 06:00
Black Friday is nothing more than Bleak Friday when it comes to environmentSome shoppers wait all year for this event to make necessary purchases they could not otherwise afford - others are enticed to buy things they don’t needSun Nov 17 2024 - 06:00
Do you live in Kildare, Meath or Co Dublin? Then you’re likely to be in a mortgage switching sweet spotA combination of factors can combine to put you slap bang in the middle of the zone where banks will want to give you a better mortgage rateFri Nov 15 2024 - 11:57
Moving your savings into the right bank account could earn you an extra €700 a year on a €30,000 lump sumWe can blame Irish banks for not passing on interest to savers, but we can’t blame them for our own bad planning or inertia when we don’t switchWed Nov 13 2024 - 06:00
Reusable cloth nappies vs disposables: would you put €500 a year in the bin?Disposables are hardly without their ick factor, and the cost savings and environmental benefits of reusables are compellingSun Nov 10 2024 - 06:00
How to claim back on your health costs in Ireland - from €365 tax refund to dentistry coverTax relief, free consultations, the Drug Payment Scheme and private health insurance can all cut healthcare costsWed Nov 06 2024 - 05:00
Reducing emissions: A simple step you can take while drivingA primary school in Co Mayo is testing a scheme for tackling air pollution while helping parents get their kids to school without driving all the waySun Nov 03 2024 - 06:00
When’s the best time to use the dishwasher and wash clothes? The recommended periods and why wind mattersBy waiting until the right time to use energy-intensive appliances, we can relieve pressure on the national grid and reduce emissionsSun Oct 27 2024 - 06:00
Inheritance rules penalise people who are single and have no children Careful planning in drawing up your will or giving during your lifetime can reduce the State’s tax takeWed Oct 23 2024 - 06:00
Latte levy: ‘Now, you’d be ashamed to be seen with a disposable cup’The Killarney Coffee Cup Project has so far prevented more than one million single-use coffee cups from reaching landfill or littering the townSun Oct 20 2024 - 06:00
Are you eligible for up to €30,000 in Government-funded retrofit works? The energy upgrade scheme can provide thousands of euro in upgrades leading to a warmer home, lower bills and a more valuable propertyFri Oct 18 2024 - 11:30
How working abroad can make it easier to secure a mortgage back in IrelandTens of thousands of Irish people go abroad every year: many see it as a short-term plan to turbocharge their homebuying prospectsWed Oct 16 2024 - 06:00
Taking voluntary redundancy or getting laid off? You need to know about your tax, welfare and pension optionsWith increased layoffs in the tech, pharma and finance sectors, it’s wise to know all your tax, savings and pension optionsTue Oct 15 2024 - 06:00
‘Everyone who tries the e-cargo bike, there is a brief panic because they can’t see the front wheel ... Suddenly, off they go’ Bike Hub is a social enterprise supported by Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council. It wants to convince you of the merits of the eco-friendly e-cargo bikeSun Oct 13 2024 - 05:00
The ‘zero option’: the popular method of saving money while still paying off your debts and a mortgageOnline banking and contactless payments make it harder to keep tracking of your day-to-day spendingWed Oct 09 2024 - 05:00
Coming home to live in Ireland? There will be tax implications for your income and assetsImmigrants and Irish people returning after working abroad need to consider their potential tax liabilities regarding savings, property and pensionsTue Oct 08 2024 - 06:00
Housing solutions: Investing in a granny flat may benefit your family and bank balanceIs it worth buying a home with granny-flat potential, how much does it cost to build and would you be eligible for tax-free income if you rent it out?Tue Oct 08 2024 - 06:00
Big budget drinks companies have done a great job of commodifying drinking water Whatever about the health benefits of the water itself, drinking it from a plastic bottle can be dodgySun Oct 06 2024 - 06:00
Getting married? Here’s how to ensure your big day has a small footprintA number of wedding venues are aiming to help couples have a more environmentally friendly wedding daySun Sept 29 2024 - 06:00
Raising a deposit, mortgage approval and bidding: buying a first home is like the Hunger GamesA mortgage is a commitment that will shape your finances for decades. Here are the factors to think about before signing on the dotted lineWed Sept 25 2024 - 06:00
Polyester Halloween costumes are scarily bad for the environment. Try a swap shopIf you start planning for this year’s dressing up now you can make Halloween less of a frightener by not buying new stuff and using items you already haveMon Sept 23 2024 - 06:00
