High commissions charged by financial advisors means there is always a conflict of interest when dealing with clients and many are far too well paid for their efforts, writes David Quinn.
Many sensible individuals are now rightly worried about the security of their savings and investments, writes David Quinn who says diversification is key.
We produce enough food for 10 times our population, but the horsemeat scandal shows just how inequality has forced people to low-price, low-quality food, writes Richard Manton.
How pensions work, how to read a payslip, dealing with personal taxes, how to choose and take out a loan (and how to pay it back), these should all be taught in school, writes Sinead Doherty.
The Personal Insolvency Practitioners (PIP) will not be given prescriptive rules around charges, meaning the person who is really in trouble and has no funds could be left on the insolvency scrap heap, writes David Hall, who says there are a number of issues that need to be changed immediately.
From a textbook dysfunctional home life, educational disadvantage and adolescent homelessness, Rachel Moran was primed for life as a prostitute. Here she tells her story about the losses prostitution can bring and how those you love can be tarred with shame by association.
While other countries are showing signs of difficulty, it’s Spain’s deterioration which could bring the euro crisis to its most dangerous point, writes Tom McDonnell, who asks where Europe goes from here?
The mobility grant gave me and my husband the chance to lead independent lives, with dignity, writes Miriam Murphy, who says this government are chipping away at the help for people with disabilities.
A voluntary income tax system is not one where citizens choose whether to pay any tax at all, but instead gives the option of paying additional contributions services that go beyond the basic function of government, writes Aaron McKenna.
As a recovering alcoholic I should say that alcohol advertising and sponsorship has no place in sport, but I can’t: I know there are few options for sports clubs and I need my GAA club to stay open, writes an anonymous contributor.
Economic migration has forced many families to separate, leaving partners and children sometimes on two sides of the world. Tony Moore explains how you can make your relationship work even when you are so far apart.
Members of the public are being encouraged to take part in the bake-off, which will raise funds to upgrade the ward, which hasn’t been refurbished in 60 years.
In 2012 there were a total 8,135 complaints made to the Financial Services Ombudsman. While we should be able to name and shame badly behaving banks, consumers should also be concerned about the performance of this office, writes Ronan Coburn.
Employers play a key role in tackling mental health writes Dr Kara McGann, who says in these tough economic times managers need to be pro-active and aware of the issues.
ONE OF AMERICA’S biggest child beauty pageant organisers is set to spend €20,000 staging their first-ever Irish contest in September.
The Herald reports today that beauty bosses said it will be open to “babies, toddlers and teens” and will also include a heat with kids in swimwear.
Some parents believe that contests celebrates their children’s beauty, helps them learn about camaraderie and boosts their self-confidence. While others think that beauty pageants send out the wrong kind of message to children and that the costumes and make-up involved sexualises kids.
So, today we would like to know: Would you enter your child in a beauty pageant?
Sun and clouds with a couple of showers
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