Deal of the Week

We have become used to overseas retailers coming to Ireland to set up shop and charging us over the odds compared to our neighbours in the UK. So it's heartening when a major retailer such as IKEA doesn't take advantage. The Ballymun shop opens tomorrow and management says it expects prices here to match those at the company's Belfast shop when prices are set in August. Reports following a 'family and friends day' last Sunday suggested that about a third of prices are cheaper than Belfast, a third the same and a third are higher. Seek out the bargains.

Tip of the Week

If you are renting, be aware that the ball is in your court when it comes to renegotiating your lease. An oversupply of housing is continuing to have a major impact on the rental market, with rents falling by more than 17% from their peak last year. Even if you are halfway through your lease, there is no harm in going to your landlord and asking for a reduction. With houses and apartments across the country lying empty, you have plenty of options and your landlord will be eager to keep you happy.

Bad Value of the Week

After a heavy night on the beer, the lure of the fast food joint is strong, but be aware that you could be paying extra for the privilege of buying that late-night burger. Patrons of Eddie Rockets have long been used to paying a late-night surcharge but it might surprise you to know that surcharges are also being applied at some late-night McDonald's. A reader was recently stunned to find that a visit to McDonald's very late at night was rewarded with an extra charge of 50 cent, even though she was not sitting in.

Recession Rates

Mortgage rates

Best standard variable rate: AIB at 2.25%

Best one-year fixed rate: KBC at 2.4%

Best three-year fixed rate (loan-to-value less than 50%): NIB at 3.17%

Best three-year fixed rate (no loan-to-value restriction): AIB at 3.19%

Worst standard variable rate: NIB at 4.15%

Worst one-year fixed rate: Halifax at 4.45%

Worst three-year fixed rate: Leeds Building Society at 6.1%

www.mortgagebrokers.ie

Deal of the Week

The EU’s decision to lift restrictions on aesthetically unpleasing fruit and vegetables should be a boost to consumers. A total of 36 fruits and vegetables can now be sold no matter what their shape, size or appearance. The rules, which were in place for 20 years, are thought to have increased the cost of fruit and vegetables by up to 40% because growers were forced to throw away perfectly good, if ugly, produce. Expect to recoil in horror in the fruit and veg aisles soon but rejoice in cheaper prices.

Tip of the Week

As the recession lurches on and people continue to worry about their job security, there has been a year-on-year 25% increase in retail sales for income protection insurance. Always read the small print on these policies as there are plenty of terms and conditions attached which may hamper your chances of a claim. And make sure to shop around. For instance, a 40-year-old male non-smoker earning €50,000 a year taking out 20 years’ cover will pay €91.35 with Irish Life but €102.64 with Friends First.

Bad Value of the Week

AEG’s decision to offer Michael Jackson fans a full refund or their tickets for the ‘This Is It’ tour smacks of opportunism. The company is obviously banking on the fact that fans who paid out a fortune for tickets to see Jackson perform at the O2 Arena in London will want some sort of keepsake of the non-occasion, thus saving AEG money. Essentially, they are asking fans to pay upwards of €88 for some coloured bits of paper. Of course, some fans might calculate that the tickets will be worth some money in a few years’ time, but given that one million of them were sold, there is unlikely to be a shortage of them in the near future.

Recession Rates

Life assurance for same-sex couples

Two men, aged 30, non-smokers, €250,000, 25 years: New Ireland €37.20*
Two women, aged 30, non-smokers, €250,000, 25 years: New Ireland €29.24*
*Level term cover (amount of cover stays at 250,000 for 25 years and then the policy is finished)

Note: New Ireland won the quotes comparison because of its underwriting view of same-sex couples; they are not subject to upfront additional underwriting as standard policy unless health questions warrant it.

People with HIV: New Ireland is the only insurer in the country offering life cover for people with HIV. There is a loading (increased price) and a maximum term of 10 years without conversion (the ability to continue the assurance automatically), or indexation (increasing cover every year). It is highly dependent on the applicant’s T-Cell count being within certain parameters over time. Having said that, until mid-2009 no insurer offered cover to people with HIV under any circumstance.