Category Archives: Writings

Save at your local library

The world is waiting, and much of it is free, writes John Cradden By John Cradden Thursday June 16 2011 The internet age means most people who need to do some research or find some information quickly go online. It’s become second nature. Almost all of us have internet access at home so the notion […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Save money at music festivals

Thursday June 09 2011 For many music fans, the two biggest Irish open-air summer festivals, Oxegen and Electric Picnic, are not to be missed — at any cost. But what a cost. When you factor in the cost of the ticket, drink, food, tent, transport, sleeping bag and various other essential items, most people camping […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Avoid having to say: “til debt do us part. .”

It may be the biggest day of your life, but you don’t have to splurge for that dream wedding, says John Cradden By John Cradden Thursday May 19 2011 The Windsors may have spent millions on Kate and Will’s royal wedding but there is no sign that the days of big, extravagant nuptials are about […]
Posted in Writings | 1 Comment

Golf on the cheap

And she’s buying a fairway to Heaven: a golf club — even a posh one. John Cradden reports on how to tee up a bargain golf deal Thursday May 05 2011 WHEN the Celtic Tiger roared, so did the fees to join golf clubs. Just three or four years ago, if you wanted to play […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

How to beat the budget airlines

Hefty charges from the likes of Michael O’Leary’s Ryanair can be avoided with these steps Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP By John Cradden Thursday April 28 2011 So you fancy a family holiday in Spain and think the budget airline is the quickest option? Well, it can be, but if you dither […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Make your own Easter Eggs

Smart Consumer: An egg-cellent idea! make your own fun this easter A kitchen eggs-travaganza: John Cradden and his daughter Ana, hard at work making their own Easter eggs. Photo by Ronan Lang By John Cradden Thursday April 21 2011 Easter means eggs and nothing is guaranteed to cause as much excitement among children (and many […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Lost for words at speech therapy delays

Parents are worried that the time lost in getting help with their children’s speech and language difficulties could risk making them worse, writes JOHN CRADDEN ACCESS TO speech therapy clearly wasn’t an issue for King George VI, whose story about how he overcame a serious stammer through a close working relationship with a speech therapist […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Decline of the landline

Smart Consumer: Why going mobile is the best way to save on your phone bill Connected: Emma Louise Ryan left Eircom for a line-free broadband cable provider. Photo by Dave Meehan By John Cradden Thursday February 17 2011 If you really want to save money on your telecom bills, it’s time to cut the cord.In […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

Volume advice falls on deaf ears

High volume levels in MP3 players are causing hearing problems for people in their 30s, writes JOHN CRADDEN IF YOU have an Apple iPod, you may be among those owners who find the highest volume level for listening through your earbuds is not quite high enough. If so, just type in the words “Apple iPod […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment

A grand car for a €1,000

How you can bag a bargain when buying a banger. . . Drives a hard bargain: John Cradden puts the finishing touches to his ‘new’ family car. Picture Ronan Lang By John Cradden Thursday January 06 2011 It might sound like the type of challenge those three idiots on BBC’s Top Gear would relish, but […]
Posted in Writings | Leave a comment
  • LinkedIn

    If you want to see my LinkedIn profile, click on this button:

    Milan Petrovic