Policymaker calls for two ECB rate cuts before the break in August

By |2024-03-15T09:49:03+00:00March 15th, 2024|Banking, Lifestyle Financial Planning, Personal Finance|

The European Central Bank (ECB) must lower borrowing costs twice before its August summer break and two more times before the end of the year, without being swayed by the US Federal Reserve, according to Governing Council member Yannis Stournaras. “We need to start cutting rates soon so that our monetary policy does not become

AI to boost demand for soft skills but threatens many Stem careers

By |2024-01-19T09:55:19+00:00January 19th, 2024|News, Personal Finance|

A Nobel Prize-winning labour market economist has cautioned younger generations against piling into studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) subjects, saying “empathetic” and creative skills may thrive in a world dominated by artificial intelligence (AI). Christopher Pissarides, professor of economics at the London School of Economics, said workers in certain IT jobs risk sowing

Low interest rates drive surge in credit union mortgages

By |2023-12-08T09:45:32+00:00December 8th, 2023|Mortgages, Personal Finance|

Credit unions are experiencing a massive demand for mortgages, with a 50pc rise in lending among members last year to €500m, new figures show. The member-owned lenders have seen a strong interest from first-time buyers and switchers in their mortgage offering because they have some of the lowest rates in the market. Some are offering

Holly Cairns’ comments begged the question – will the next generation ever be able to afford to retire?

By |2023-03-24T10:33:56+00:00March 24th, 2023|Lifestyle Financial Planning, Pensions, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning|

When Holly Cairns claimed during her opening address to the Dáil as the new leader of the Social Democrats that she comes from the first generation that will be financially worse off than its parents, spats ensued on social media between baby boomers recalling the economic hardships of the 1970s and 1980s and younger generations who face

How to shape up your finances to secure a mortgage on that home

By |2023-02-17T10:41:19+00:00February 17th, 2023|Lifestyle Financial Planning, Mortgages, Personal Finance|

“Want to go halves on a mortgage?” This tongue-in-cheek pick-up line on dating apps from millennials sums up a property market so unaffordable that house prices are now almost eight times the average salary. A desperation among millennials to escape stratospheric rents meant the number of first-time buyers drawing down mortgages soared last year to levels last

Q&A: Will I pay tax on the income I’m receiving for housing Ukrainian refugees?

By |2023-01-13T10:00:19+00:00January 13th, 2023|News, Personal Finance|

"I rent out a small self-contained flat under the rent-a-room scheme. Since last July, I have accommodated two Ukrainian refugees in my house for which I receive €400 a month, increasing to €800 a month from this month. This will bring me over the limit of €14,000 for the year. The Government says the income

Building Wealth in 2023

By |2023-02-02T11:00:37+00:00January 6th, 2023|Holistic Lifestyle Financial Planning, Personal Finance|

Building wealth in 2023 and beyond - Starting with savings To weather life's ups and downs, including a recession or job loss, a healthy savings account is critical as this will provide support if you get laid off, your self-employment income takes a sudden dip, or a major expense pops up. Saving money is also

Auto-enrollment given Government Greenlight.

By |2022-10-10T10:08:23+00:00October 10th, 2022|Pensions, Personal Finance|

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers are set to benefit from a new pension scheme that has been finally agreed on by the Government. The much-delayed auto-enrolment scheme is expected to be introduced in the year after next. It has been decades since the idea for such a scheme was first mooted. Close to one million

KBC and Ulster Bank customers are facing months of ‘chaos’ over new accounts

By |2022-05-23T14:20:52+00:00May 23rd, 2022|News, Personal Finance|

More than a million KBC and Ulster Bank customers face chaos as they try to switch accounts while the two institutions leave Ireland. People seeking a new bank are being blocked from opening a credit card account and getting an overdraft facility. The Central Bank has been urged to “get its finger out” and do more to stop the

Banks cleared to join shared equity home-buying scheme

By |2021-11-25T17:38:28+00:00November 25th, 2021|Personal Finance|

Article by Sarah Collins Irish Independent 25th November 2021 Lenders will be able to take part in the government’s shared equity home buying scheme, despite a Central Bank fear that it could push up house prices. In its second financial stability review of 2021, the Bank said it would amend its mortgage measures to clarify

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