There has finally been some good news for the Irish economy after it was revealed that it grew 1.6 per cent over the second quarter of the year, according to the Quarterly National Accounts.
The figures indicate a period of stabilisation for domestic demand as well as growth in exports for the months from April to June. On a seasonally adjusted basis, consumer spending increased by 0.3 per cent compared with the first three months of the year, while investments increased by 6.4 per cent and Government spending dropped by 0.8 per cent. It was the strongest quarterly growth since the last quarter of 2007 when GDP increased by 1.1 per cent. So with encouraging signs that the Irish economy is on the road to recovery how can you help the cause?
Spend, spend, spend
The catch 22 situation over the last few years is that in order for the Irish economy to recover, consumers must start spending. However, with the recession in full swing and wages suffering, few of us have enough money to splash the cash.
However, one potential solution is to be savvy in the ways in which we spend money – and to hunt out bargains rather than giving up our spending altogether.
For example, there are plenty of essentials that we can’t do without – such as food and clothes. By buying these items from Irish retailers online, we can often find reduced prices compared to buying in store because the companies can save money on overheads. By using Moneysaver.ie to research voucher codes before spending money, there is even more to be saved. The Irish discount code website has sections devoted to “food and drink” and “fashion” where you can find the latest offers.
Disposable income
By saving money on essential purchases, you’ll have an increased disposable income. While it’s sensible to put money aside for the future, you may also want to enjoy the occasional treat – and again, discount codes and online shopping are ideal.
Among the voucher codes at Moneysaver.ie are savings on everything from the latest CD and DVD releases to reduced prices on entertainment, such as an existing deal which is offering 40 per cent off cinema tickets. You can also take advantage of the website’s price comparison service so you can rest assured you’re getting the cheapest deal available on the products you love.
Also take a look at the daily deals section. There’s no better way to support the Irish economy than to spend money with an up and coming local business. The daily deals wall offers group buying purchases in your area, allowing you to enjoy unique experiences at significantly reduced prices.
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash