Deal of the Week

UPC's victory in the High Court last week over record companies who were trying to force the internet provider to adopt a "three strikes" rule for users found to have been illegally file-sharing is a victory for consumers. No one is condoning illegal activity but internet service providers should not be in the business of monitoring their users' online activity.

Tip of the Week

Competition for fixed-rate savings is on the up again with Ulster Bank now in the hunt for depositors. The bank has launched a 12-month fixed rate of 3.5% which matches the best-in-market offers of both Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide. A minimum of €15,000 is needed to qualify (as opposed to €1 for Anglo and €20,000 for Irish Nationwide) for the rate.

Bad Value of the Week

The successful campaign to let Irish people vote for their favourites on The X-Factor hasn't just been a winner for our contestants – the phone company and ITV are raking in a pretty penny from it also. Voting costs 35p from a landline in the UK which is around 40c in euro. Yet we pay 60c per call from a landline.

Will I? Won't I?

If you have a valid will, you are said to die 'testate', meaning you have spelled out your intentions completely and legally.

A will status of 'intestate' means you don't have a valid will. When only some of your assets are covered by a valid will, you are partially intestate and law of the land will prevail as outlined in the Rules of Intestacy in the Succession Act 1965.

Best solution: Make a will.

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