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Tuesday 21 May 2013

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MY BUDGET: Young, single and relatively unscathed

06 December 2012 10:30 AM

BUDGET 2013 has been described as one of the toughest this country has ever seen.

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But I was surprised by how little the Government's latest attack on our finances has affected me in the long run.

As a young, free and single person, I have escaped relatively unscathed.

While those most vulnerable in society -- the elderly and our children -- continue to be hit, my biggest worry will be the extra charge on my weekly tipple.

Thankfully as a non-smoker, the extra charge on cigarette duty will not affect me.

  1. Man (24) dies in road crash
  2. Family of 12 are evicted over €300 shortfall in rent – now council put them in hotel costing €6,000pm
  3. 'I didn't pass the boy band test, but I did fool Louis'
  4. Keanes snap up 'bargain' €1.6m Malahide mansion
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  1. Man (24) dies in road crash
  2. Family of 12 are evicted over €300 shortfall in rent – now council put them in hotel costing €6,000pm
  3. 'I didn't pass the boy band test, but I did fool Louis'
  4. Keanes snap up 'bargain' €1.6m Malahide mansion
  5. Gym boss Enright set up for gun hit after row with pal

Opinion

Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton. Photo: Mark Condren

Ireland's too easy a target for the pensions industry fat-cats

J Good on Joan Burton. Speaking at an insurance conference last week she said that pension industry charges are too high. One third of the value of a pension can be wiped out with commission and costs. For years, successive governments have been brow-beating us into taking out pensions. The fact that many people don't has been blamed on inertia and bad planning. But maybe as customers, we've just realised that pensions are a total rip-off.

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