Getting chummy with the bank

I’m all for personal service, but since when did my bank become my friend? On my birthday last weekend, I received well wishing messages and calls from friends and family both here and abroad. It’s always fantastic to get a phone call or text and it’s something that makes me really miss the people I...

Yoga your way to happier finances

With the hot months approaching fast, getting into shape and being able to fit into the dreaded summer bikini are probably top of the list for many. A great way to whip stubborn fat into action is to start yoga. However, as any seasoned guru will preach, yoga is more than just toned abs and better posture,...

Spring into action with some last year fashion

THE sun is beginning to shine in Spain. And the layers of jumpers, jackets, tights and long-sleeved tops that saw us through winter are being striped off in place of light cardigans and T-shirts. There is definitely a sense of spring in the air – a sense of new beginnings to match the cheery weather...

Girls: We’re in the money but still work to be done

JUST a few weeks ago we celebrated International Women’s Day. March 8 is a date dedicated to supporting women’s advancement in society and in the workplace. International Women’s Day has been around since the early 1900’s, raising a voice against oppression and inequality. One of the reoccurring...

Don’t let complex pricing get the better of you

I’ve been on a smartphone rollercoaster the past week. I’ve gone from excited about the novelty of a new experience to being absolutely gob-smacked when I had to pay for the thrill. A lot of the shock is down to not quite understanding when and how to use the internet data – hence a whopping bill –...

Discount stores – madness for your purse

YOU think you’re being thrifty and economical, but little do you know that entering into a discount store can be financial suicide. And with chino stores on many corners in Spain; it’s a difficult habit to break. A bargain is a good thing, but be honest, how many things have you bought in a discount...

Haggle your way to great savings

WHEN I lived in the Middle East, haggling was part and parcel of everyday shopping. Walking into a store or market and paying the full whack for items was unheard of! For a European it did take some getting used too bargaining, but after a little practice and sly observation of how the professionals did it,...

Injecting some romance into domestic finance

A SURPRISE bunch of roses from your loved one is bound to make your heart skip a beat, but how often has chatting about your finances caused you to fall deeper in love with your other half? Rather, discussing money and money matters tends to leave couples feeling bored, angry and frustrated – or in...

Little by little, the savings jar will fill up, if you want it to

DO you have a saving strategy? No! Then the next question is… do you have any savings? Putting away money for a rainy day doesn’t happen automatically – despite your best intentions. Saving is something that needs to be planned and nurtured in order to grow. It’s an art form in itself and there’s a...

Girls invisible at world’s biggest economic get-together

SOME surprising facts and figures were revealed about women and their involvement within global business at the recently held 2012 annual World Economic Forum – Davos. What I found interesting was that women were almost invisible throughout the five-day talks and meetings in Switzerland. As the future of...