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 The countdown continues.  Today US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen set a date of 5 June as the final date to raise the US debt ceiling. Failure to raise the limit by then will mean the US government would begin to default on its obligations. What is the US debt ceiling? The debt ceiling is the … Continued

If you’re asking ‘How much can I afford to put in my pension?’ when there’s a cost of living crisis, challenging market conditions, and rising housing costs, you’re not alone. Fact is, there is too much guilt around pensions. We’re always being told we should save more.  But deciding how much depends on what you … Continued

Forget bitcoin and the metaverse… even tech firms more generally have had a tough time of it over the last 18 months. But 2023 is surely the year where AI, artificial intelligence, has got real attention.  So should you be investing in artificial intelligence, and if so, how? ChatGPT is just a start What seems … Continued

I’m 64 and I’m about to retire soon. I’m on a defined contribution pension scheme with my company, and my employer’s pension provider is asking me to choose between buying an annuity and an approved retirement fund. I find the subject too complex and I’m afraid if I make the wrong choice that it will … Continued

Inflation in the Eurozone seems to be going in the right direction, falling to 6.9% in March 2023, down from 8.5% the previous month.  What does this mean for interest rates, and your savings and investments? Inflation is still too high Firstly, inflation is still higher than where consumers, businesses or policymakers want it to … Continued

I have a portfolio of shares (€35k). It is balanced through different sectors. I like receiving dividends, especially from my BP shares, which I bought after the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. I have a cash lump sum (€40k) sitting on a low/no interest PTSB bank account, for the last five years. Every year I say I’ll … Continued

For most people in Ireland, memories of bank collapses are still raw.  So it’s no surprise the Irish government and others are paying special attention to news of the collapse of US-headquartered technology lender, Silicon Valley Bank. Here’s our briefing on what happened, and five likely implications for investors. Before we start: it’s less than a week since … Continued

If you live in Ireland but worked in the UK during your career, there’s a good chance you’re entitled to the UK state pension as well as your Irish one. As the rules will change soon, you must act fast to make sure you’re getting your maximum UK entitlement. *** Update June 2023: The UK … Continued

Are you financially fit?  Here’s Moneycube’s one-minute financial health check to help you take the pulse of your finances. Is your money working for you? Spring 2023 has seen a marked rise in volatility in the markets. There are winners and losers. Do your investments fit with your true appetite for risk and reward? If … Continued