Bob's Blog

Ever wonder how you are penniless at the end of the month and your neighbour who earns less than you is debt free? It may be a combination of factors, but often times we lack the necessary discipline and know-how when it comes along to building a rainy day fund. Here are a few of the most common tips we [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

Today signals a new and dangerous departure in Irish government policy. Enda Kenny’s team will announce a funding proposal to support their so-called jobs initiative which entails raiding the capital from private pension funds. As it stands, many people who contribute to private pension plans fail to adequately fund them for retirement, yet the Fine Gael and Labour parties intend [...]

Like budgeting, your chances of saving enough money to meet your long term financial goals are greatly diminished without a plan in place. It requires forward planning, an appreciation of compounding, the time value of money and a few other basic financial concepts. The magic of compound interest Compound interest is “the most powerful force is the world” according to [...]

Overeaters are more than likely in a much worse off financial situation to their healthier counterparts that is according to research conducted by psychologist Dr Stian Reimers of University College London. Dr Reimers interviewed 40,000 people and the survey hinged on the answer to this one question: Would you prefer to receive £45 in 3 days time or £75 in [...]