Money Guide Ireland

From 7 September Ulster Bank have announced that their branches in Ireland will be open longer : The new opening hours will be

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm

Wednesday 10.00am – 4.30pm.

(Some branches will still close for lunch !)

It’s a step in the right direction – but many UK banks are open 9 to 5 and many of them open on Saturdays too.

Sterling was  marginally lower yesterday against a stronger Euro. The Pound was worth €1.21 at the close of business yesterday. Recent eurozone economic data has been more robust than forecast. In addition to recent  strong German GDP data, there been a further increase in the eurozone consumer confidence index to 101.8 in August, a level that is compatible with a moderate upturn in European Union consumer demand.

Best Exchange Rates – :
If you are planning to exchange large amounts of currency – maybe for a property purchase or other purchases – you will usually get the best exchange rates from a specialist currency broker instead of going to your own bank.
If you are moving to the UK or another non Euro country for work – and need to transfer a large amount of Euros into Sterling – you should also check out the savings you can make by using a currency broker.
On paper the actual rate differences may look tiny – but on large transactions a difference of just 0.01 inthe exchange rate could save you €1000 on a €100k exchange. Why let the banks have it?

Currency Solutions is one UK based specialist broker that can carry out conversions of larger amounts of currency for you – (amounts over £3000 GBP usually) – commission free and at better exchange rates than the high street banks.
You can visit their website for a free no obligation quote – or you call them on  0044 207 740 0000 - and ask for the Money Guide Ireland dedicated contact  - Ernie Enver. He will be able to give you a quick response to any queries.

Businesses
If you run a business with regular payments or invoices in Sterling or other non Euro currencies – then Currency Solutions will also be able to save you money on exchange rates and charges.  Visit the Currency Solutions website or call Ernie Enver on 0044 207 740 0000 to find out more details. Mention “Money Guide Ireland ” when calling

Colgate – in conjunction with the Irish Dental Association is offering a refund of €65 on a dental check up or a scale and polish.
A purchase of some Colgate products is required -  In order to qualify for the refund you have to buy all of the following items from the Colgate range in a single transaction between 1st September 2010 and 30th September 2010:
2 x Colgate 360° toothbrushes,
Any Colgate Total toothpaste (100ml)
and any Colgate mouthwash (500ml).
The receipt for this purchase must be retained.

Participants must have their check up or scale and polish at their preferred dentist in the Republic Of Ireland no later than 30th November 2010 and retain their dentist’s receipt clearly detailing the check up or scale and polish treatment and the amount paid.

Full Details Here

Coast - the  one of the UK and Ireland’s  most successful occasionwear brands for women have a special Discount Code.

You can get 20% all full priced items until Midnight 1st September 2010 with the promo code ” treatme”

Visit the Coast Website Here

There is a 20% Discount on many items at  House of Fraser online. It is a special promotion for the UK bank holiday weekend – and the offer ends August  3oth

House of Fraser charge just £3 for delivery to Ireland  – some large items like furniture and appliances cannot be delivered here.

They stock top clothing labels such as:

Oasis, Warehouse, Bench, Diesel, Lipsy, Desigual, Lee, Wrangler, Pepe, Firetrap, Yumi, Coast, Untold, Therapy, Kenneth Cole, Diesel, Hudson Jeans, LNA, Met in Jeans, Tag, True Religion, Frock& Frill, John Zack, Lipsy, Motel, Rare, Vero Moda, Isotoner, Linea, Ted Baker (nightwear), Elle Macpherson Intimates, Cyberjammies, Just Sheepskin, Lepel, Therapy, Linea Silver, Angie Gooderham,, Cath Kidston, DKNY, D&G, Diesel, Kenneth Cole, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Nine West, Fiorelli, Kipling and Mischa Barton.

The death toll from flooding  in northwest Pakistan has reached almost 1600 with over 20 million people struggling to survive after the worst flooding in living memory.

Trócaire is getting aid to survivors and they  have launched an appeal to the Irish public for help.

They say  …. “Funding from the Irish government through Irish Aid helped us to respond fast but more help is needed. We are calling on our supporters to give what they can to help some of the fifteen million people affected by the flood. The numbers affected are even greater than the Haiti earthquake and Asian tsunami combined……”

Donate to Trocaire

Students who are starting college in the UK this year can avail of a special offer from Stena Line.  They are offering free travel for students on their 5 routes to the UK.

Book a ticket for  a car and driver (from €79 Single) and add  as many students as you can fit in for FREE!   Check Availability Here
With no baggage fees  or weight limits – you can pack in all the bedding , clothes, books and computer equipment that you need .

This offer is available for midweek travel from 1 September 2010 and generally must be booked 28 days in advance. Bookings must be made by 18 October for travel up to 16 December 2010.
Proof of student identification or letter of acceptance from the university will be required at time of booking and will be verified at the port at check-in.

As announced in the  Budget 2010, a charge of 50 cents will be introduced on 1st October 2010  in respect of each prescription item dispensed to medical card holders.

The total charge per family per month will be capped at €10 and the HSE will put in place a refund system in order to refund families who exceed the €10 monthly ceiling.
Minister Harney expects  the new charges to  raise approximately €2 million per month. There has not been too much protest against these charges – which will basically result in poorer , sick people contribuing €2 Million a month to the state  from their low incomes .

An “expert group”  recently commented that this charge is unlikely to raise enough revenue to justify the costs of administering the charge. The same group also said the move could lead to some patients not taking medicines they needed.

The New Prescription Charges will not apply to :

1. Children in the care of the HSE who have their own medical card. This includes children in residential care, foster care, foster care with relatives and other care placements:

2. The Long Term Illness Scheme;

3. The Drugs Payment Scheme;

4. Persons who receive services under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996;

5. Or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme.