Housing remains a big problem, but I worry the real disaster lies ahead
I fear our property problem will be solved in a brutal way, with a recession so severe, hundreds of thousands will emigrate again
Cost of Living
Read more articles about the cost of living from your personal finances to the global economy
Capuchin vouchers: ‘I have four kids and two grandkids - this is for St Stephen’s Day dinner’
Queue for €50 grocery vouchers began before 4am with over 2,500 distributed by 8.30am
Renters and households with children most likely to have income that doesn’t match needs - ESRI
New study finds Irish households on average need 45% of disposable weekly income, after housing costs, to cover basic expenditure
Gig economy is coming to a shop near you
Apps that let retailers hire freelance staff by the shift are increasing in popularity
Truckers warn they face rising costs
Haulage sector group demands Government stalls toll road and safety charges
More ECB interest rate cuts are coming, says Christine Lagarde
Frankfurt believes rates are still constricting economic activity despite a series of cuts in 2024
Have yourself a merry last-minute Christmas. Shop early and forget perfect
Follow our expert advice and reader tips, and take the stress and expense out of the next few days
Greece takes a global leadership role, but faces harsh domestic struggles
Neither neoliberalism nor the ‘radical left’ seems able to solve the problem in most Greek people’s minds: the almost unbearable increases in the cost of living
In a country of such staggering wealth, no one should have to queue for free food
The till receipts at Brown Thomas, the glittering, almost-nationwide monument to unfettered capitalism, is a decent bellwether for how the haviest-haves in society are doing
Those who missed out on Capuchin Christmas food hampers will be ‘looked after’, says chief executive
Donations increase to charity which provides assistance to those in need in Dublin after staff ran out of food parcels and hamper tickets on Wednesday
‘A dead end’: A reader’s struggle for a €950 refund after Ryanair’s cancelled flights ‘glitch’
Frances Maguire was left out of pocket after the airline failed to address the issue – until Pricewatch intervened and prompted a refund
Tips for avoiding a January credit-card hangover
Using cash on a night out, planning your purchases and clearing your balance on time can help you keep control of your spending during the festive season
Households worse off over failure to peg tax and welfare changes to income growth - ESRI
Budget 2025 seen as ‘broadly progressive’ with lower income households benefiting more
Complete Savings: ‘I had no idea I signed up– I’ve had a €18 taken off my credit card each month’
‘I find it crazy that they are able to get away with doing what they do’ says a reader who inadvertently signed up to a subscription when buying tickets online
‘Have I any rights at all?’ Virgin leaves one customer without broadband and chases another for two cent
Management of broadband during a house move causes undue stress, while a tiny debt for a service not received boggles the mind
Trump trade-war fallout could trigger deep euro zone rate cuts, warns Pimco
Bond giant says euro is vulnerable to further declines amid market ‘optimism’ over impact of Trump presidency
‘Our available balance was €500 lower than we thought it should be’: A ‘jarring’ story about An Post Money app
Funds from a customer’s subsidiary account rather than main account used to cover card transactions
Private sector unions should seek 7% pay increases next year, Ictu says
Remuneration hike would help make up for impact of inflation in previous years, union group claims
Cyber Monday: Are the deals real or just retailer tricks?
More than a third of Irish consumers will hunt for bargains today, spending over €300 on average – but watch out for scams
‘There could be two cars, but the fridge is empty’: Hidden poverty in middle-class Ireland
A day spent in the Vincent de Paul southeast region office reveals the large number of requests from vulnerable seeking help with everything from food and utility bills to rent arrears and broken toilets
Euro zone inflation rises to 2.3% in November
Price pressures surpass European Central Bank’s target for first time since August
Climate change and even tethered bottle caps have got sucked into the culture wars
A dangerous narrative has crept in, branding any progressive environmental policy as costly, woke, nanny state and an infringement on people’s freedoms
Just 10% of consumers planning to spend more this Christmas
Latest consumer sentiment survey says consumers remain in a “watch, wait and worry” mode ahead of the Irish election
Food businesses get priced out: ‘I have been a chef for over 25 years and it’s the hardest it has ever been’
People who have poured their heart and soul into setting up successful food businesses are finding the going is only getting tougher
No Fianna Fáil 2011-type disaster for Sinn Féin but repeat of their 2020 success looks unlikely
Hostility to Sinn Féin over immigration has dissipated in its strongholds but the party has not yet captured the momentum of its successful 2020 general election campaign
The cost of living is a big election issue even if price rises are slowing
The outgoing government handled some elements of the cost-of-living crisis well, but failed miserably in other areas
‘I honestly have no idea how I’m going to save my restaurant from going under’
Irish restaurateurs face the hardest of times as the soaring cost of ingredients adds to an already challenging climate
Dip in recruitment demand sees profits fall at Indeed
Operating profit at recruitment giant falls from €783m to €600m in wake of job cuts
Simon Harris rejects coalition with multi-party left-wing alliance
‘Squeezed middle’ is real and ‘global economic environment is volatile’, Fine Gael leader says
Is the cost-of-living crisis over? According to the head of Ibec, it never happened
Inflation has fallen back to target, but prices remain much higher than three years ago
‘I feel Irish Rail are just running down the time and hoping I will go away’
Family trip to Belfast tarnished after paying a premium, only to be told when they got on board that there was no first class and no catering
‘It’s been 120 days and counting and Aer Lingus still hasn’t refunded me $1,953 for my cancelled flight’
Fees charged to change flights during the airline’s pilots’ strike took months to be reimbursed
‘I ordered an iPhone off Refurbed for over €700 and have experienced an endless stream of problems’
Reader has endless stream of problems since ordering an iPhone 13 Pro last March
My health insurer wanted an extra €900 to maintain my plan. Time to look for options
With a dizzying array of 350 plans on the private health insurance market, it is anything but consumer-friendly. Real competition is very badly needed
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