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#Dear Caitriona

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

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<span lang="EN-GB">'The best scams seem plausible and play on something you really want</span>,<span lang="EN-GB"> such as tickets, selling something, or emotions.'</span>
</p>

people

Caitríona Redmond: My friend was targeted by a Facebook Marketplace scammer... and I turned sleuth to save him

When her friend tried to sell a campervan online, he was soon targeted by fraudsters. Luckily, Caitríona Redmond was on hand to spot the red flags...

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Caitríona Redmond: My six steps to help keep your grocery costs down

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Caitríona Redmond: Are Irish consumers ready for the costs of climate change?

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Caitríona Redmond: What you need to know about the new €3 per item customs duty

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Caitríona Redmond: When you have less money, you have to spend more — here’s why

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Caitríona Redmond: Consumers set to benefit from changes at EU level

Caitríona Redmond: How much can you earn from social media? Here's what I got for a viral video

Caitríona Redmond: How much can you earn from social media? Here's what I got for a viral video

Irked by social media advertising? Maybe the problem lies with the platforms not valuing the work creators do?

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Man holding shopping basket with bread and milk groceries in supermarket

I compared grocery receipts from 2022 to today — here's how much more a basket costs now

This week, I used my historic records to check in on progress over the past four years and goodness, the price of a sample shopping basket has certainly changed dramatically

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Football ticket scam

Caitríona Redmond: Protecting yourself from ticket scams this summer

I got caught out in a football ticket scam, and I was mortified. Here's some advice on how to watch out for scams

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Man holding shopping basket with bread and milk groceries in supermarket

Caitríona Redmond: Could supermarket shopping be about to change radically?

AI has come along in leaps and bounds, and now one of Ireland's biggest retailers has started to adopt AI technology in the UK to identify customers who may benefit from a form of personalised pricing. Will Ireland follow suit?

Mon, 18 May, 2026

wheelie bin

Caitríona Redmond: I asked Panda about its new fuel surcharge for waste customers

The slow trickle of increased prices across the Irish economy is making us all feel hard-pressed.

Mon, 11 May, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: Returning to education doesn't need to be a financial burden

Caitríona Redmond: Returning to education doesn't need to be a financial burden

Free or reduced-cost college courses are an attractive option to people looking to return to college in later life

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: What to consider when booking a summer holiday this year

Caitríona Redmond: What to consider when booking a summer holiday this year

Should you book a summer holiday now if you haven’t already? My advice is yes, but to be prepared to be flexible with your travel arrangements

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: Why are you paying full price for your clothes?

By buying and selling on Vinted, you can save a pretty penny on your clothes shopping, and even make a little cash yourself

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Person putting jeans into the drum of a washing machine, front view. Washing dirty jeans in the washer

Caitríona Redmond: Who knew replacing a washing machine was so complicated?

When a washing machine breaks, there are now two replacement options: an inverter or a brush

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: E-scooters affect how safe public spaces are — rules need tightening

Caitríona Redmond: E-scooters affect how safe public spaces are — rules need tightening

There are some things consumers should be aware of if considering buying an e-scooter

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: Fancy eating well for less? There’s an app for that

Caitríona Redmond: Fancy eating well for less? There’s an app for that

The rising cost of fuel will impact grocery prices, but consumers can still bag restaurant-quality food on a tight budget

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

expensive to heat

Caitríona Redmond: Taking steps to reduce energy costs in an uncertain time

With rising energy prices and record energy bill arrears, how can we protect ourselves from further big bills?

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Weekly supermarket shopping

Caitríona Redmond: We’ve had enough jargon — why do we feel like we have less money?

The terms negative consumer sentiment, Vibecession, Boomcession, and K-Shaped Economy don’t quite describe that bad feeling when we struggle with the cost of grocery shopping. It’s time to debunk the jargon and start calling the high cost of living a saga.

Mon, 02 Mar, 2026

A man is holding a remote control of a smart TV in his hand. In the background you can see the television screen with streaming

Caitríona Redmond: Streaming services could cost you €129 per month — will prices ever drop?

Has the Irish fascination with streaming gone too far, and is it costing us needless euros every year that would be better spent elsewhere?

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: What's the deal with tipping these days?

Caitríona Redmond: What's the deal with tipping these days?

Tips are a vital way to give thanks for excellent customer service, but aren’t obligatory

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Middle aged couple reading paper bills calculating pension using laptop at home.

Caitríona Redmond: How to renew health insurance to get the best-value plan for your needs

Renewing your health insurance can be complicated, but there is good news for those who want to switch and save

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Why are Easter eggs smaller and Mini Eggs more expensive? We compare our receipts

Why are Easter eggs smaller and Mini Eggs more expensive? We compare our receipts

As we head into peak chocolate season ahead of St Valentine’s Day and Easter, family favourites have dropped in quality — and value for money

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Father, boy and loading laundry in washing machine in home for cleaning, hygiene and helping hand for clothes. People, kid and s

Caitríona Redmond: On the hunt for a tumble dryer to save me money

I never realised how much money I’d save with a heat pump tumble dryer until I did the sums, Caitríona Redmond

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Caitríona Redmond: How to fill the ‘hungry gap’ with local food

Caitríona Redmond: How to fill the ‘hungry gap’ with local food

Climate positive dining means eating with the seasons and Irish produce has a lot to offer

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Emergency, service and people on computer with headset for security, dispatcher and operator. Telecommunication, surveillance an

Caitríona Redmond: What about the people on the receiving end of our complaints and queries?

Helpline and call centre staff are a bunch of hardworking people who often get abused by customers, writes Caitríona Redmond

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Close up owner man interacts with a woman senior shopkeeper while receiving her purchase in a small paper shopping bag reusable

Caitríona Redmond: Unwanted Christmas gift? Here are your options

If you do get any unwanted Christmas presents, you may not be able to take them all back, writes Caitríona Redmond

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Caitríona Redmond: Why are we introducing children to gambling at Christmas — or ever?

Caitríona Redmond: Why are we introducing children to gambling at Christmas — or ever?

Online loot and mystery boxes are a slippery slope for many children

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Winter alcoholic hot drinks

Caitríona Redmond: Alcohol-free drink offerings need to improve

Is there a non-drinker tax?

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Man Shopping Electronics Online During Black Friday Sale.

Black Friday: Is the seasonal sale really worth it?

Is this seasonal sale really worth it? Really, it is only a bargain when you truly need the item

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!

Caitríona Redmond: Free flights for my shopping points? I don’t believe it!

Does every little really help? Not always

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Woman managing the debt

Caitríona Redmond: How to save over €48 per month on essential bills

Make sure you benefit from all you are entitled to.

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Broken mobile phone

Caitríona Redmond: What to do if you lose your mobile phone

Your mobile phone may hold all your personal information, would it be a disaster if it was lost to the ether?

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Woman Scanning Groceries at Self Checkout in Supermarket

Caitríona Redmond: Are self-service checkouts risky?

Increased use of CCTV at the checkout gives rise to data protection concerns

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Butter

Caitríona Redmond: Why have butter prices soared and is it cheaper in other countries?

Head melted from increased prices? Word is spreading that butter is cheaper abroad but is that a rumour or a fact?

Mon, 26 May, 2025

Oasis reunion

Caitríona Redmond: Ticketmaster said 'No' — but this reader didn’t back down

How bagging an accessible concert ticket can be a saga, even before getting to the venue

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025