Thirty years ago, it is fair to say that very few Irish people could ever even begin to contemplate something like flats in Rome for their annual holiday. In short, finances were low, especially when compared to the neighbouring United Kingdom.

Today, however, how that proverbial tide has completely changed. Ireland has actually proved itself to be something of a sleeping giant, where its economical capabilities are concerned. It may not exactly be a tiger economy, what with the population still only being some 4.5 million souls, but it could definitely rank as a European Cougar economy.

Surprisingly, Ireland managed to assert its current strengths even further, through the fact that it seems to have rode out the current worldwide recession with far more ease. In contrast, the economy of the United Kingdom and all of the other major European member states have taken what can best be described as a massive blow. (more...)

Have I managed to gain your attention here? I thought so!

The idea of moving to Ireland is not nearly as inconceivable as you may first think. First and foremost, as Ireland are also in the EU, there are a number of EC directives that you are able to rely upon to make international removals to the Emerald Isle so much easier.

The main directive that asserts many of your rights is 2004/38. In this legislation, all European Union Citizens have the right to move and work throughout the community freely. There are no exceptions to this for the first 6 months and after that you could remain in Ireland (or any EU state) indefinitely if you are able to prove that you will not become a financial burden upon the host state. (more...)

The global economic recession has had a profound effect on financial institutions across Europe. The pattern was repeated time and again by banks that made bad loans to risky clients who could not afford to pay them back. Many of these banks were forced to close their doors, while others limped on by dramatically cutting their services to customers. In this article we are going to discuss lending in Ireland.

Like most European countries, Ireland was hit hard by the recession, especially its banks. Those that survived vowed never again to lend to risky clients. In fact, many institutions have put a near freeze on consumer lending. What is a person to do if they are interested in getting a car loan in Ireland?

Fortunately, there are still a few viable financial options for Irish motorists. Probably the most popular one is obtaining a loan through the car dealership. Dealerships are able to offer reasonable rates because the volume of business they do gives them some leverage over lending institutions. As a result, they are able to offer attractive deals on loans and car insurance to potential customers. (more...)

Three short years ago, the economy of Ireland was known as the Celtic Tiger due to its rapid growth and dynamism. But those halcyon days came to a close when the global recession hit.

Because it had expanded so rapidly during the Celtic Tiger years (from 1995-2007), the Emerald Isle was hit especially hard. In just two years, Ireland's GDP fell by 14 percent. Most economists attribute this stunning volte-facie to the decline in the housing market and the billions of pounds in bad loans that were made to new homeowners.

To cut a long story short, the housing market was growing and the banks were handing out cheap loans to just about anyone that applied. But when the recession hit and people could not afford to pay their mortgage bills, the banks were forced to repossess their homes. (more...)

When it was announced that residents of the UK took fewer international flights in 2009, no one was surprised. The sovereign state suffered mightily during the recession and did not return to positive growth until the last quarter of 2009. As a result, people in the UK have been cutting back on luxuries and that includes trips overseas.

One trend that has been especially well covered is the increase in domestic travel. They even have a new name or neologism for them, staycations. These staycations resulted in a four percent increase in travel in the UK in 2009. Of course, that hasn\'t helped the airports, which have reported a decline of around seven percent in arrivals and departures.

When we take a closer look, we find that there is one group that cut back on travel more than any other. Because they receive special deals and are an integral part of the industry, airlines keep a close eye on business travellers. And with a 15 percent drop in business travel, we can safely assume that they don\'t like what they see. What does this mean for UK flights (more...)

The internet is arguably the most important invention since the wheel and electricity and it has truly transformed the way we go about our everyday lives. From the way we communicate with one another, source information to our shopping habits, it is all very different now from the way it was 30 years ago.

Along with new ways of communicating and finding information, the way we shop has dramatically changed. Who doesn't go online to see how much something will cost right at the beginning, especially with big ticket items like homes and vehicles or necessary evils like insurance. Even if you don't shop online, it gives you a good idea of what you can expect to pay.

People have caught onto this and comparison sites have become increasingly popular. They allow you to compare the price of a particular item from a number of outlets -normally there will also be a link to their website. Comparing prices using comparison sites is appealing because it allows you to see what similar items cost across the board. This is particularly useful when you need to buy something like insurance - all of the information you need to make an informed decision is right there along with what you can expect to pay. (more...)

Would you like to journey to France on a ferry? If your answer is yes, then this is definitely the right time for you to enjoy one of the Cheap Dover Calais ferry ? It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you most definitely do not want to miss. A ferry to France is unique in so many different ways – each of which can be experienced through the services of MyFerryLink. MyFerryLink offers Dover Calais Ferry to the customers at unbeatable rates. There are various other companies which are offering similar ferry services but MyFerryLink surpasses them in terms of the quality and the rates.

They offer numerous crossings between Dover and Calais to their customers. The number of crossings during the day is sixteen thus providing many opportunities to those who want to enjoy a comfortable ferry trip. Moreover, they even offer short breaks to France for the amazing price of £19 each way.

The Dover Calais ferry services offered are for foot passengers, cars with passengers, cars with trailers and cars with caravans and there are bars, restaurants, children's play areas and shops onboard with comfortable seating accommodation for all. So, if you are bored of your daily routine and want a relaxing trip, then MyferryLink is just the right option for you. (more...)

The financial situation of people all around the world is precarious to say the least. With economies failing to grow as expected and with competition for jobs increasing everywhere, there aren’t many people who are happy with their financial condition at the moment. In such a situation when generating extra cash is seemingly impossible, making the most of what you have really counts. What this really means is that a company like Kaplan Financial can really help you out in this regard.

It is not easy to manage your finances and keep the balance book empty in such tumultuous financial conditions. The main reason behind this is the inflating prices and the wrong mindset of people when it comes to spending. However, if you plan well and understand the financial market’s fluctuations perfectly then you should have a great shot at really making the most of your money.

While it is true that you simply can’t stop spending on items of daily use, it is also true that knowing various ways to save your money would bring financial stability in your life. Financial courses which teach you how to make your finances work for you can be really helpful in this day and age seeing the deteriorating financial situation everywhere. (more...)