Taking out a loan or mortgage with your bank? Before you get the stamp of approval, your financial institution will run a check on your credit rating (applicable to anyone who has previously borrowed money), which basically involves your history of credit agreements and repayments (go

Irish adults lack understanding of financial management Research carried out by Irish Life has highlighted a lack of understanding when it comes to personal financial management. Among the findings was: Just 29% are aware of how much they require to live on when they retire 40% of Iri

Thinking about earning some extra money from that empty room? The Irish Times’ Fiona Reddan writes this week that potential landlords shouldn’t be put off by worries over a recent announcement by the Revenue Commissioners concerning the tax liabilities of Airbnb hosts – as

When you’re a teenager, chances are your mind is occupied with everything and anything but the thought of managing your money. And while many youths earn their own income, the bank of mum and dad is often there in the background, so why bother worrying about it too much? Startin

In terms of personal financial health, living outside your means is a very dangerous habit to maintain. Whether that’s to keep up appearances, a love of spending or simply enjoying having the latest gadgets or fashion statements in your wardrobe, you could reach levels of debt t

Loans from moneylenders have been in the news recently for all of the wrong reasons – a Donegal couple successfully brought Provident Personal Credit to court for being illegally offered new loans while still paying off existing ones. So what exactly are moneylender loans, and should

Consumers – are you feeling more confident about the economy these days? The answer, apparently, is yes, at least according to the latest consumer sentiment index compiled by KBC Bank and the Economic and Social Research Institute. KBC Bank was quick to note that while positive, the r

Writing in the Irish Independent, John Cradden notes the rise in the “sharing economy” that has seen people swapping homes for holidays, car-sharing and much more. For example, although many people may think of bartering as something that died out in the Middle Ages, it’s still

A lot of kids can’t pass a supermarket or toy store without being drawn to stacks of sweets or toys, inevitably turning to mum or dad to open their wallet for the umpteenth time that day. But should you keep opening that wallet, or should you provide your kids with regular pocke