Messages

I'd echo that. I did six years in London. With an investment of 1500 now I'll get about 107 sterling a week compliments of the Crown. I'm happy with that return

How so little?  It's telling me I have to pay £800 odd per year - not sure the sums add up at that rate.  What is the minimum pension, based on achieving the bare 10 years?

There are two categories, one pays around £300 the the other £900. If you were working and then left the UK you get to pay the lower amount, which is a complete no brainer. If you have to pay the £900 it is a good deal, if you live long, but not quite brilliant, as many Irish people with the cash in hand will end up paying 40% tax on this.

I have the same issue: 6 years of incomplete years, but each of the years would cost at least £720+. Would it still be worth paying that? It's quite a lump sum to pay out but I would if I thought it would be worth it.

I missed the documentary on RTÉ and i don't think it's on the player anymore. Is there any way of viewing it now?

Ya bollix!lol

Ah well, at least you've helped manage my expectations. I'm still seriously considering going over for the weekend and chancing my arm, it's almost a year out and I'm already desperate...and losing hope!

Any Springsteen fans know where you could find tickets for his other European venues next year? Barcelona has sold out but I'd love to try get tickets for that. Has anyone any experience of this or know of any forums where I could try get my hands on two tickets?

Paul O'Connell...I never thought I would see the day

I'm looking for a holiday in October or perhaps November, but struggling slightly. There are plenty of travel agents with different deals but I'm wondering if I could do it myself somehow without going through them. I'm essentially looking for warm weather (mid 20s hopefully!), a beach would be nice and a place with a few things to do and see. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone any experience of good Christmas markets in Europe? Thinking of going on a weekend break somewhere in Decemeber and would like to go one.

Are there any decent and insightful hurling blogs out there? Would like to extend the aul' reading list!

Are there any decent and insightful GAA blogs out there? Would like to extend the aul' reading list!

Any recommendations on any good/funny/thought provoking columnists that you like to read? It can be about any topic under the sun (just not those in The Sun).

Just looking for new reading material, it can be as funny and lighted hearted as you want or as serious  and heavy as you please! I'm happy to read anything!


Also, have you any favourite articles - would appreciate it if you shared the link here

I would never buy a new car either and my thoughts were to do something like Eamonnca1 but then I heard about these other schemes and wondered if it made more financial sense. In theory leasing a new car should greatly reduce the service bills, no MOT etc. Even less sure now!lol

I'm just wondering if it's more cost effective to buy a car outright/using a loan vs using something like pcp or pch so that you can keep getting a new car.
If i buy a car for 8k and i have it for 10 years that's £800 per year which is a hell of a lot less than any monthly payments with pcp/pch. Would the extra service and maintenance that go with an older car make up for the difference?

Various people have said that they would never own a car again as it's not worth it financially.

I have a car to trade in at the minute but my understanding was that at the end of the pcp you give back the car and can begin another contract with a new car.

I've heard the payments are lower than Hire Purchase. Then you get the chance to get a new car again when the contract is up.

In the long run which would be cheaper? Owning a car means you won't be making repayments but you would think that owning a new car would mean that the associated service and maintenance costs would be much lower.

Thats my understanding of it anyhow!

I am considering buying a new car. Various people have said that there is no value in buying a car outright or owning a car - that it is much more cost effective to use Personal Contract Payments (PCP) allowing you the option of changing cars every few years.

Does anyone have any experience of these contracts? I always just assumed that buying a car or paying instalments towards owning a car was the only way to go but I have been told that it is more cost effective to go the PCP route. Any advice, opinions or expertise would be greatly appreciated!