Bob's Blog

The golden rule on personal finances is to spend less than you earn. Until you get to that point, your debt will not only be an outstanding problem, but it will also be a growing one. Consider the length of time it took to build up this debt and realise that there is no magic wand. Your debt issues can [...]

Dublin, Ireland November 22nd 2011 – At this stage, we’re well used to relentlessly grim financial news but when the Minister for Finance warns that next month’s budget is going to be ‘hard on people’, you know that it’s going to be tough. But does this mean that you have to say goodbye to all the fun things in life, [...]

14 October, 2011 – Matthew Elderfield delivered what was hailed a landmark speech in UCC in relation to mortgage arrears. Banks were still treating consumers unfairly, and with that “we added to our consumer protection arsenal by launching a new code of conduct setting out how regulated lenders must deal with consumers who were in arrears with their mortgage repayments”. [...]

“I was right 70% of the time, but I was wrong 30% of the time” – Alan Greenspan responding to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission back in 2010. Greenspan’s response left many people shocked as to his arrogance, let alone his legacy. He presided at the Federal Reserve at a time when subprime mortgages were seen as ‘solutions’ for many. [...]

Irish Life are giving away €200 million in life cover to 20,000 people over the coming weeks – FOR FREE. We would like to do our bit here and arrange this cover for you, providing you meet Irish Life’s criteria: You are a parent under 55 and your youngest child is 13 or under. You are not about to pop your [...]

I received an email late last night asking me why would somebody go to the trouble of setting up a pension versus some other type of investment earmarked for retirement. Here’s my brief response this morning: Many thanks for your email. Your query it has to be said, is all too common. I can understand why. Why would you set [...]