Savvy couple know how to bag a bargain
Related Articles
SHELEEN Johnston and her husband Alan have an eye for a bargain.
They recently switched their mortgage and current account from Ulster Bank to Halifax; they regularly check the market for the best value when it is time to renew home and motor insurance; and they occasionally shop in the North.
The couple, along with son Adam (17) and daughter Beth (14), live in Donabate, Co Dublin.
Even though the family got a small discount on their mortgage interest rate with Ulster Bank's 'ufirst' account, they secured a better deal by switching to Halifax.
Ms Johnston explained that they had a tracker that cost 0.75pc over the European Central Bank rate, but secured an ECB plus 0.6pc rate from Halifax.
The legal costs of switching were covered by their Halifax branch in Swords.
By moving their current account, they reckon they have saved more than the €9 monthly cost of the 'ufirst' account.
Ms Johnston particularly likes the fact that Halifax pays 10pc interest on up to €2,000 if money is paid into the account each month.
A former financial adviser, she recently passed the first year of accountancy technician exams. Alan is a marketing executive in a major retail chain.
"When it comes to renewing the car and home insurance, I phone around to see if I can get a better rate and I will change to whoever gives the better rate."
She reckons she halved the premium for the family's motor insurance recently by getting a range of quotes.
From Lisburn, Ms Johnston usually takes the opportunity to shop in the North when visiting family. She estimates she can save up to €80 on a weekly shop.
