Hey Mr Finance, can you cut me a deal?
As good consumers, we seek value for money. When choosing financial products good value should be a guiding light, writes FIONA REDDAN
IF THE thought of shopping for a new life assurance or car insurance policy is about as appealing as a visit to the dentist, but you love finding a bargain, then you need to shop for financial services like you shop for everything else – seek out the lowest cost, best-value products and look for something extra thrown in.
Remember, it is not just shops which offer discounts, financial institutions also offer incentives to attract customers. But, without annual summer and winter sales, how do you find the best deals?
Watch out for special offers
JUST LIKE supermarkets, financial institutions also make special offers available from time to time, although be warned that sometimes they may just be trying to get rid of the financial equivalent of over-ripe melons.
Until September 12th, EBS is offering a fixed annual rate of 3.75 per cent for five months on deposits of between €20,000 and €500,000. So, if you put €20,000 away for the five-month term, you would recoup €312 in interest before Dirt. While the term is short, variable rates have begun sliding, so this product offers certainty for the five-month period.
"In addition to a raft of increases, from home and car insurance to health premiums, a significant increase in mortgage repayments may be a bill too far for and more »
