Latest:

Question of Finance: Invest in pension, regardless of booms or busts

Q: Everybody tells me I should be planning for when I retire, yet the same people are telling me that the markets are in turmoil. So should I bother?

Question of Finance: It's vital to prepare for a business exit strategy

By CIARAN PHELAN

Q The current economic downturn has reaffirmed my belief that planning for the future is essential.

Question of Finance: Should I cover myself in case of serious illness?

Q I am 40 and have a family and all the usual debts that people accrue, such as personal loans and a big mortgage.

Question of Finance: What do I consider when reviewing life cover?

Q The recent economic turbulence has highlighted the need for planning for the future and to ensure my family and I are financially secure. What should I be looking at when reviewing my life insurance cover?

Question of Finance: Should I pass on land now to avoid tax hikes?

Q I own agricultural land, which I've always had the intention of passing on to my only son. I understand that there would be tax consequences, including gift tax for my son, and this has put me off making the transfer.

Question of Finance: There's no getting away from this property tax

Q: As an owner of a holiday home I'm not at all sure as to how the new property tax affects me, how much it will cost me and what will happen if I just choose to ignore it?

Question of Finance: Corporate bonds a safer option than equities

QI have decided to return, albeit tentatively, to the investment market and it has been suggested that I consider corporate bonds rather than equities for my inaugural investment.

Question of finance: Building a new home

Q We are about to undertake the exciting but gruelling task of building our own home.

Question of Finance: Careful choices can slash home premium price

Q My household insurance is up for renewal and I'm not sure that I am getting the best deal. My policy is with my mortgage provider but I have heard that discounts are available with other providers. Can you advise?

Question of Finance: Ignoring the laborious small print may cost you

Q I read somewhere recently that thousands of people in Ireland get into difficulty every year because they either do not have the right level of cover of travel insurance or they have none at all.

Columnist Comments

• Fight back against high insurance premiums

THE insurance industry is trying to avoid the impact of the recession by ripping off its customers.

• Five years ago, we had economic balance but all is not as it appears

THERE comes a point in life when one becomes convinced that they did things better in the old days. The arguments in favour of this proposition seem quite overwhelming but, since one heard one's parents and grandparents say the same thing, the best policy seems not to mention it -- or at least mention it as little as possible.