Deal of the week


Mobile phone operator O2's 1.7 million customers should make sure to sign up to the company's O2 Treats service. Tailored to your particular area, O2 Treats delivers discounts across a range of goods and services completely unrelated to mobile phones. It's a clever marketing tool no doubt, but there's no point in looking a gift horse in the mouth. There are deals – which change regularly – on hotels, restaurants and even petrol.


Tip of the week


Check out the new Economiser budgeting tool launched by the National Consumer Agency last week. The online tool, available at www.consumerconnect.ie, analyses consumer spending on groceries, energy, television, telecoms and mobile phones and gives suggestions about how you can go about reducing your bills. Those four areas account for about a third of the average household's weekly spending and following the tips should lead to fast savings without having too detrimental an effect on your lifestyle.


Bad value of the week


Anyone who has a variable rate mortgage and is in a position to do something about it really should give serious consideration to fixing. The news last week that AIB is adding half a percent to its variable rates, with other lenders soon to follow, was a warning that the low interest rates that have kept many people above water over the past year are going to disappear. There are still some excellent fixed rates available even for people who haven't made a major dent in their capital.


Recession rates


Income tax rates


Single people: First €36,400 @ 20%; balance @ 41%.


Married (one spouse with income): First €45,400 @ 20%; balance @ 41%.


Married (both spouses with income): First €45,400 (with an increase of €27,400 max) @ 20%; balance @ 41%.


Income Levies


Income up to €75,036: 2%


Between €75,037 and €146,280: 4%


In excess of €146,280: 6%


PRSI & Health Levies


Class A (typically private sector workers on PAYE):


Income up to €75,036: PRSI of 4% plus health levy of 4%


Earnings over €75,036: Health levy of 5%.


(No PRSI on the first €127 per week of earnings)