Puzzled by PIPs and PEPs? Confused by CAR? Uncertain about SPIAs, SIAs and SSAs? These are among the issues The Irish Times Moneymaker Investment Series will be exploring over the next nine weeks, as it examines the increasingly complex and confusing world of personal finance.

As well as outlining basic investment concepts for the personal investor, Moneymaker will sketch the main financial products on offer and will examine the current investment climate, characterised as it is by nervous markets, falling interest rates and the advent of the euro. Moneymaker will look at issues such as property and whether investors can still get good returns after the Bacon report.

As well as exploring whether it is still worth purchasing that Temple Bar apartment, Moneymaker will be examining more exotic property investment options such as commercial property and overseas properties and the risks involved in such investment.

In light of the recent turmoil on global equity markets, Moneymaker will also be looking at the stock market and whether it is still worthwhile investing in equities. How to approach investing in shares, who to go to for advice and the advantages and disadvantages of managing your own money rather than putting it into a pooled investment managed by a professional fund manager will also be explored.

The approach of the single European currency means investors will increasingly look to other euro markets for investment opportunities. Moneymaker will be finding out how realistic such investment is and what options are available to the private investor as well as asking stock market analysts for their Top 10 share tips.

The regulatory environment will also be looked at as Moneymaker examines how safe your money is, what mechanisms have been put in place to safeguard investors and who the main regulators are.

Pension provision for the self-employed, personal pension plans and other ways of providing for retirement will be investigated while Moneymaker will also look at PAYE pension provision - how well does your employer look after you and how can you put a little extra by?

Savings and life assurance products, the different types of tracker bonds on offer and how to make money from old cars or your art collection are also among the subjects Moneymaker will tackle in the weeks ahead.