As Special Savings Investment Accounts (SSIAs) mature, service providers countrywide expect a sharp upturn in business.

Already, cars are being offered for sale with no repayments until May 2007, builders are reporting a growth in bookings for extensions and travel operators are expecting an increase in holiday-of-a-lifetime reservations. Next week, some of Ireland's leading children's charities are getting in on the act.

They are hoping to persuade SSIA holders to continue paying into their accounts for an extra month and donate the money to worthy causes. If everybody was to do this, it would guarantee a windfall of 212m.

Third World charities, Amnesty International and the Simon community are also hoping to encourage SSIA holders to remember them. It would be even better if they could persuade people to develop the habit of donating a regular amount to charity.

That sort of commitment ensures longerterm projects can be met and charities don't suffer in the aftermath of a huge tragedy when donor fatigue sets in.

So as you contemplate the benefits of this five-year plan and perhaps consider keeping up the saving habit, it is also worth remembering the important work of charities.