Consumer Guides

NAMA: read list of negative equity homes for sale

Where are the NAMA properties being offered with negative equity mortgages? There are only 115 properties in Dublin, Cork and Meath.

Updated: 8 May 2012

BMI Baby to close so know your rights

The closure of BMI Baby is a timely reminder of how we should protect our cash when we book flights and package holidays. Tina Leonard runs through our rights with Pat Kenny.

7 May 2012
Electronic theft: know the scammer's game first

Phishing, dodgy email links, call it fraud or a scam, but either way your money could be stolen. Tina Leonard tells Today with Pat Kenny how to recognise a silent burglary is underway.

23 April 2012
How to save money on insurance polices

Insurance is one of the first things that people consider removing from their monthly bills if they fall on hard times. Consumer expert Tina Leonard helps you find what insurance is right for you

17 April 2012
Householders to face €40 water charge

An annual charge will be imposed on householders to cover the cost of installation of water meters, it has been reported.

17 April 2012
Time to shop around to avoid bank fees

Ulster Bank is the only bank to offer free banking after AIB changed its rules. So it's time to shop around. Tina Leonard has the best deals

11 April 2012
Cashing in on your old mobile phone

Smart phones can fetch more than €500 in the second hand market, but old Nokias or Samsungs and Blackberrys are also worth selling or recycling. Tina Leonard has the details

19 March 2012
Is it worth getting airline credit cards?

Ryanair has just introduced a new airline card which will save you the €12 admin fee on return flights. But there are hidden charges on all airline cards. Tina Leonard reports

13 March 2012
Solicitors fees vary 500%, survey shows

Solicitors fees sometimes seem exorbitant and appear to bear no relation to the work involved. The National Consumer Agency tried to get benchmarks for three different jobs but found solicitors uncooperative

24 February 2012
How to avoid penalties when cancelling contracts

Contracts are becoming increasingly long, particularly mobiles. Make sure you know what you're getting into and how you get out without cost. Tina Leonard reports

14 February 2012
Jobseekers' Benefit is inadequate, says report

A report suggests that the majority of families dependent on Jobseeker's Benefit do not have an adequate income for a basic standard of living.

6 February 2012
Cash or card: The pros and cons

The Irish withdraw double the European average from ATMs every year, but banks want us to use more plastic? Tna Leonard investigates which is better for your pocket

2 February 2012
Saorview: how to switch to digital TV by October

TV is going digital across the country from October 24, here is the complete guide to what to do to make sure you still have a service on October 25.

31 January 2012
Stopping junk mail, spam email, and cold calls

Junk mail, spam email, evening calls offering discounts on something you don't want anyway? Tina Leonard tells Pat Kenny the consumer has plenty of rights. Here's how to stop them.

23 January 2012
How to avoid dodgy trades people this winter

Unscrupulous tradesmen prey on your ignorance. So if someone calls and tells you you need your roof/gutters/heating fixed, think twice,Tina Leonard tells Pat Kenny.

17 January 2012
New on demand movie service launches

A new service offering on demand movies for less than £7 a month has launched - but can it compete with Apple TV, Xbox Live or TV players?

17 January 2012
No new ECB ratecut expected for tracker mortgages

Hundreds of thousands of mortgage holders are unlikely to get a further reduction in their monthly bills with the European Central Bank expected to leave interest rates unchanged this week.

11 January 2012
Money saving tips for 2012

The price of everything seems to have gone up - here are some tips for saving on transport, work and health by consumer expert Tina Leonard

6 January 2012
VHI and Aviva won't pass on levy hike to customers

Two of the countries largest health insurers have said they will not pass on the €285 government levy to customers.

4 January 2012
How to pay your household charge

More than 2,400 people have already paid the controversial household charge since its introduction on January 1 this year.

4 January 2012
Save up to €1,000 a year from recycling

Biscuit tins, Christmas trees, bottles - recycle them all and make some money over the next year by dealing with your waste properly

3 January 2012
Your rights if your holiday flights are disrupted

What are your rights if your flights are disrupted or cancelled over the festive season? Consumer expert Tina Leonard has this quick guide for complaints

16 December 2011
Christmas shopping - know your rights

It's easy to throw caution to the wind at Christmas time, but remember you still have rights so make you exercise them. Consumer expert Tina Leonard is here with her top tips.

13 December 2011
Michael Noonan's Budget 2012: main points

Low-paid workers benefit from the Budget and there is good news also for first-time buyers. But most will still feel the pinch with rises in fuel, VAT, alcohol and car tax.

8 December 2011
Howlin cuts will add €1,000 to family outgoings

Larger families will be between €800 and €1,000 worse off under austerity measures revealed in the first part of the Budget 2012.

6 December 2011
Shopping in the north is not always worth it

Irish consumers are expected to flock to Northern Ireland once again to do their Christmas shopping because of VAT. Tina Leonard investigates and finds prices aren't always favourable.

5 December 2011
Motor tax rise criticised by consumer lobby

The government has been criticised for its plans to increase motor tax in the Budget.

29 November 2011
How might my finances change if euro collapsed?

What could theoretically happen household finances if the euro collapsed and Ireland had to go it alone financially?

5 December 2011
Shoppers will be hit if VAT rises

Leaked documents show that VAT rates could go up to 23% in the Budget pushing up prices on the high street

18 November 2011
Rules for online shopping this Christmas

Before committing to buying something online, you should know your rights and how to avoid unscrupulous sellers. Consumer expert Tina Leonard has the lowdown.

14 November 2011

Tina Leonards Top Tips

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Business Highlights

Prof. Joe Haslam discusses the suspension of Bankia SA shares

Prof. Joe Haslam of IE Business School discusses the suspension of Bankia SA shares on the News At One.
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Fianna Fáil's Sean Fleming says that there are gaps in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on NAMA.
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Morning Ireland heard about a joint initiative between Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) and the Kilkenny Local Authorities "Invest Kilkenny" campaign.
Morning Ireland

Tomás Ó Síocháin talks to NAMA Chairman Frank Daly about the agency's €2 billion investment in the country's construction sector

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