Discount card to help job seekers live for less

A DISCOUNT card has been launched to help people who are on the dole live for less.

Live4Less was set up by Martin Garvey and Naoimh Murray, both of whom were out of work, with the aim of providing a discount card for those relying on social welfare payments as their main source of income.

The Live4Less discount card costs €15 and helps people maintain the lifestyle they enjoyed before they lost their job by giving them access to exclusive discounts in more than 45 participating vendors nationwide.

According to Naoimh Murray, co-founder of Live4Less, the idea for the card came when she returned from travelling to find she could not get a job.

“I was in full-time employment and went travelling. When I came back we were in the throes of the recession and I couldn’t get a job. One day I was going to an exhibition and given the cost I asked could I get the student rate and the idea of a discount card came from there,” she said.

Ms Murray said she was hopeful of more retailers coming on board with discounts in the near future.

“We literally haven’t stopped. We are constantly contacting companies and retailers. Even today we secured two new companies that will be online by the end of the week.”

“Live4Less was established to make products and services affordable for people who have lost their jobs and are trying to live on a tight budget.”

“We want to encourage Live4Lessers to try and up-skill while they have some extra time on their hands. Ultimately, we want to make life a little easier for both Live4Lessers and retailers alike,” she said.

Some of the retailers offering a discount to those with the card include: Irish Rail, Chapters bookstore, Subway, Hickey’s Pharmacy, McCabe’s Pharmacy, The Body Shop, and The Carphone Warehouse.

The company hopes the discounts offered will also reap benefits for the retailers in question. Each of the participating vendors will be promoted free of charge on the Live4Less website.

The Live4Less website also hosts a live forum where Live4Lessers can connect with each other and give advice and tips on how to cope with their change in circumstances or to come together to discuss business opportunities.

* Further information on how to apply for the card can be obtained at www.live4less.ie or at 01-4737296.