Saving on groceries

Price compare:

The obvious way to save is to find out where the best prices or deals are. This could entail heading from shop to shop and wearing out your show leather, or you could head online.
There are two Irish websites that gather price data from all the supermarkets for you to compare: www.fitthebill.ie (free to subscribe) and www.smartshopper.ie (€11.99 a year to subscribe).

Using these sites you can find the cheapest prices, create a personal shopping list and more.

However, the most recent grocery price survey from the National Consumer Agency (July 2011), found that there was only a difference of 3.4% between the cheapest and most expensive retailer when they compared a basket of 92 commonly purchased branded products in Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Superquinn and SuperValu.

So firstly don’t forget Lidl and Aldi, but also that leads us to the next point; finding special offers.

Tip: Don’t assume that because one store is cheapest this week it will be cheapest next week. That’s because prices go up and down a lot, and what tends to happen is when one shop hikes or reduces a price the others follow. So keep checking.

Special Offers:
The availability of special offers has increased in the last couple of years, as supermarkets fight for your custom, and as big brands fight to retain your loyalty.

This is good news for consumer looking for a ’2 for 1′ offer or a discount offer. And also bear in mind end of day offers on fresh produce that the shop won’t be able to sell tomorrow.
Special offers are usually advertised in newspapers, in newspaper and magazine inserts and you can also find them on sites such as www.cheapeats.ie.

Tip: Don’t buy a ’2 for 1′ offer is you won’t use the two items, as that is wasteful. Also be careful in buying in large quantities if on offer unless you are sure to use. However if something that you buy regularly is on offer, buy a few if you can now, but only if your can store in a cupboard or freezer for future use.

Buy own brand:

We used to buy only a small amount of ‘own brand’ products but that has changed drastically in the last few years. Now between 30% and 35% of groceries we buy are own brand. And why not, as these are usually cheaper and are often made by the brand manufacturers.

Dunnes, SuperValu, Superquinn and Tesco all have three tiers of own brand, and Lidl and Aldi have two, so there is plenty of choice. The quality can be just as good as big brand: just check the ingredients and do the taste test and then make your choice.

Tip: Don’t assume own brand is bad quality. Consider this: Bachelors make own brand fro Tesco and Dunnes; Glanbia make Tesco’s milk and butter; Odlums make Aldi’s flour; Bewleys make Superquinn tea (core) and Aldi’s tea; Johnston, Mooney and O Brien make Superquinn Essentials bread and Lidl’s hot dog buns and burger buns, and for Dunnes.

Check the unit price:

- Always check the unit price of what you are buying to work out the best value for you.

- Bear in mind that some items are typically cheaper when bought in bulk, but this only makes sense, value-wise, if you’re going to use it up before it goes off. And it is not always the case that buying bigger is cheaper.

- Buying another size (sometimes even the smaller size) may represent better value overall.

- Smaller items such as vegetables can work out more expensive when bought pre-packed under cellophane than if you buy them by the kilo from the “loose” vegetable section.

Use loyalty cards and coupons:

No matter how many supermarkets you buy groceries in, it is no harm to sign up for loyalty points in all of them. Typically you get 1point for every €1 purchased, and will be sent coupons and vouchers at various points in the year.

But never let a loyalty card scheme membership inform your decision on where to buy – they should never become the only reason to shop somewhere, as you may get better value elsewhere.

Remember also that coupons can save you money, but don’t buy products you don’t need just because you have a coupon.
Also be aware that the store collects your personal data and shopping details and may use it for marketing and research purposes.

TOP TIPS:

If you buy from Superquinn or Tesco online, do it via a ‘cash back’ site to get money paid directly to your bank or PayPal account.
With www.fatcheese.ie you get €20 for a first shop with Tesco online (€10 cash back and a €10 voucher when you spend over €60) and repeat customers get 50c cashback for each shop.
New Superquinn online customers get €6 cash back from fatcheese and 75c for existing customers.

On www.cashbackireland.com existing Tesco online customers get €1 cash back.

General know how:

A third of food we buy ends up in the bin! So to shop wisely there are three golden rules:

1. Better buying

2. Savvy storage

3. Canny cooking

STATS ON DEPRESSION:

From AWARE:

More than 450,000 people in Ireland experience depression at any one time (represents one in ten of the population).
We each have a one in four chance of experiencing a depressive episode at some point in our life.

For each person who experiences depression, up to five others (e.g. partner, parent, sibling, friend) will be significantly impacted as they try to support their loved one.
There are a bewildering number of therapies available and an endless supply of gurus; but how do we choose which is the one for ‘us’?

When it comes to treating depression and anxiety, there is no ‘easy fix’.

Causes of emotional distress and life difficulties are complex and diverse, and so too are the solutions. There is much ill-informed debate about drugs versus psychotherapy, alternative versus conventional therapies, and psychiatry versus psychology. No wonder those in distress are unsure about whether presenting for help is worth the risk. We often forget what matters the most, the person in distress.

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Taking a holistic approach…ie. ‘to treat the whole person’..

It means listening to the person in difficulty, empathising with their pain and distress, validating their emotions, and teasing out individual issues.
It means presenting the various therapy options which are available and allowing the person to choose the path they want to travel…

Holistic Approach to Treatment of Depression

1. Empathy

2. Lifestyle changes

3. Drug therapy

4. Talk therapies – particularly counselling and CBT

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Lifestyle changes are key.

- Exercise – at least 30 minutes every day is the ideal

- Diet – Fresh fish, meat, greens, fruit, nuts are all to be recommended

- Supplements – B complex; Omega 3 fish oils

- Avoid alcohol; high stimulant foods like coke/chocolate/coffee; and illegal drugs

- We must examine our lives to see if there are any key stress issues to be dealt with

GOOD: fresh fish, meat, greens, fruit, nuts, B complex, omega 3 fish oils

BAD: glass of wine, glass of cola, coffee, chocolate

DRUG THERAPY

There is a lot of controversy and confusion surrounding the use of drugs to treat depression.

- It is vital that we view drug therapy as part of a holistic package and not as the sole answer to mental-health problems.

- The main role of drug therapy is to help the person become ‘functional’ by lifting mood; reducing anxiety; helping with food, sleep, drive, memory, concentration; and in particular reducing fatigue.

In what situation would you skip drug therapy and just take a talk therapy approach?

I would skip drug therapy if the person has mild depression and is functioning normally; if they have had bad experiences with them before; if the person was completely against drug therapy and wanted to try other approaches. In such a case lifestyle and talk therapy would be the best approach.

There are many different types of drug therapy.

- Types of drug therapy (antidepressants, minor tranquillisers, major tranquillisers, mood stabilisers and Lyrica.)

- They take at least two weeks to kick in; are ‘not addictive’; are normally taken for 6-8 months; have side effects but are very useful in helping us reach a point where we can become engaged in talk therapies.

When taking anti-depressants, do symptoms get worse before they get better?

Most people when they start may get some nausea and some may get an increase in anxiety symptoms for the first ten days to fourteen days after which these usually settle and mood starts to improve.

TALK THERAPIES

The lower brain circuit responds best to drug therapy; the upper to talk therapies. The stimulation of both is ideal…

What are talk therapies?

Often called ‘psychotherapy’, talk therapy is the treatment of psychological distress through talking with a specially trained therapist and learning new ways to cope. It is done with the immediate goal of aiding the person in increasing their self-knowledge and their awareness of their relationships with others.

There are many different talk therapy options out there….

- Counselling can be of great help in relationship/family/bereavement/addiction and bullying difficulties.
(The aim of counselling is to help identify problem areas and identify possible solutions. It can be non-directive where the person is encouraged to articulate their problems and work through them with minimal involvement from the counsellor)

- Psycho analysis is of help especially in abuse/difficult family upbringings.

(Often focusing on underlying, often unconscious, sources of an individual’s emotional or mental problems. Based on the concept that much of our behaviour, thoughts and attitudes is regulated by the unconscious part of our mind and is thus not within conscious control)

- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is Dr. Harry Barry’s treatment of choice. In his opinion, no other form of therapy has such potential to ‘revolutionise’ mental health in Ireland.

- Mindfulness based CBT (learning how to be in the present moment) – is very helpful in preventing mental disorders.

WHAT IS CBT (COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY)?

- CBT is based on 2 simple concepts: 1) our thoughts influence our emotions which in turn influence our behaviour.

- So what I ‘think’ influences how I ‘feel’ which influences what I ‘do’!

- So in depression if I believe that I am worthless -my emotion will be depression; and my behaviour may be to stop going out to meet people – which isolates me further and makes my depression worse.

- It is also based on the concept that it’s not what happens to us in life that is important, but how we choose to interpret it.

- The therapist will challenge the person’s thoughts and behaviour

Dr. Harry Barry’s book is available nationwide, priced at €16.99

On yesterday’s Newstalk Breakfast Show,Agnes Rowley,a sufferer of depression,and Dr.Declan Lyons,Consultant Psychiatrist at St.Patrick’s University,discussed the many forms of depression and how it can be de-stigmatized.Newstalk received a huge reaction to the discussion,which you can listen to via the link below.

Listen here: http://www.newstalk.ie/programmes/all/breakfast/listen-back/

The study also shows that there were considerable increases in ALD rates across all age groups, but most significantly among the younger age groups:

- 15 to 34 years 275%

- 35 to 49 years 227%

- 50 to 64 years 159%

- Over 65s years 145%

SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DISEASE:

- Discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish

- Abdominal pain and swelling

- Itchy skin

- Dark urine, Pale, bloody or tar-colored stool

- Chronic fatigue, Nausea or Loss of appetite

You carried out research on liver disease with some pretty shocking findings?

(These were released last November)

I carried out research (with Dr Deirdre Mongan, Research Officer at the Health Research Board) on trends in the occurrence of liver disease.

We found that the rate of alcoholic liver disease discharges (per 100,000 adults) increased by 201% between1995 and 2009.

The mortality rate per 100,000 population aged 15 and over of those who died in hospital from the condition was 2.6 in 1995 and 7.5 in 2009, which is an increase of 188%

This is a direct reflection of our drinking habits?

We’ve seen a massive increase in ALD which reflects what is happening in society and the changing patterns of drinking. We can expect that mortality rates will increase in the older age groups as the cohort who were drinking heavily when younger get older.

We have a situation where there is a massive industry based around alcohol yet none of the money is put into harm reduction. There should be some sort of levy on alcohol advertisements or off licence sales to fund research for better treatment.

If someone is diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease, what is the prognosis/ treatment?

The most important part of treatment is to stop using alcohol completely. If liver cirrhosis has not yet occurred, the liver can heal if you stop drinking alcohol.

The liver is a unique organ. It is the only organ in the body that is able to regenerate… that is completely repair the damage. With most organs, such as the heart, the damaged tissue is replaced with scar, like on the skin. The liver, however, is able to replace damaged tissue with new cells.

However, the long-term complications of liver disease occur when regeneration is either incomplete or prevented by progressive development of scar tissue within the liver. This occurs when the damaging agent such as a virus, a drug, alcohol, etc., continues to attack the liver and prevents complete regeneration. Once scar tissue has developed it is very difficult to reverse that process. The development of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) indicates late stage liver disease and is usually followed by the onset of complications. You may end up needing a liver transplant.

What quantity of alcohol usage should be seen as being a risk to the liver?

First, it should be understood that alcohol is a poison. Any amount of alcohol can produce damage to the liver. In an otherwise healthy person with no underlying liver problems, the general rule of thumb is different for men and women.

The Department of Health and Children advises that up to 14 standard drinks a week for women and up to 21 standard drinks a week for men is considered low risk. It is important that they are spread out over the week and not saved for one session or big night out.

This equates to a daily low risk limit of 2 or 3 standards drinks for women, or 3 or 4 standard drinks for men, with some alcohol free days over the course of the week.

It is also important to recognise the body and the liver in particular does not distinguish between different forms of alcohol. Beer and wine are not “safer” than whiskey or spirits.

If an individual has an underlying liver condition such as hepatitis B or C, or prior damage from alcohol or other diseases, the liver is very sensitive to any amount of alcohol. In those conditions, the only safe dose of alcohol is zero.

Of course not all liver disease is caused by drinking alcohol?

There is a huge stigma attached to liver disease, people immediately think you are a drinker. About 50% of cases are caused by alcohol. I have treated many patients who have never or rarely touch a drop.

The second biggest cause is excess weight/ obesity. We are seeing a dramatic rise in cases attributed to excess weight.

Alcoholic liver disease is not the only type of liver disease?

There are many different types: acute liver failure (this can be caused by a reaction to paracetemol when the liver immediately fails), hepatitis, liver cancer, fatty liver disease, hemochromatosis.

Hemochromatosis: Important to talk about as Ireland has the highest incidence of hemochromatosis in the world, approx 1 in 100 people. It’s a genetic disease whereby patients have too much iron in their blood. We normally absorb 1% of iron but those with hemochromatosis have 2 to 3%. Many people are living with this condition without even knowing.

Over time, liver scarring and damage can occur. Extra iron may also build up in other body tissues such as the thyroid, testicles, pancreas, pituitary gland, heart, or joints. If treatment begins before any of these organs have been affected, diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes can usually be prevented.

The amazing thing is you can prevent this condition simply by giving blood. There is very little awareness about it.

Liver disease is known as a silent killer, but are there symptoms to look out for?

Generally by the time symptoms are apparent, it’s in the late stages. If you feel that you are leading an unhealthy lifestyle or are worried about your liver, it is really simple to go to your GP and get a referral for a blood test.

The most common symptoms are very non-specific and they include fatigue or excessive tiredness, lack of drive, occasionally itching. Signs of liver disease that are more prominent are jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, very pale or light coloured stool or bowel movements, bleeding from the GI tract, mental confusion, and retention of fluids in the abdomen or belly. (AGAIN THESE SYMPTOMS WOULD BE IN THE LATE STAGES).

Income supports:

The main income support for older people is the state pension. Statistics inform us that half the population are dependent on state pensions.

a) transition pension for those who have to retire at 65

b) state pension payable at 66 (contributory)

c) state pension payable at 66 (non-contributory)

It is important that people maximum their income by ensuring that they have all the benefits and payments available to them.
They can check their entitlements at any Citizens Information Centre.

Extra payments:

Living alone increase

Paid to people 66 and over who are living alone even if it is in a Granny flat,

Or if you have a relative or friend staying with you at night for security reasons or if you are too infirm to be alone at night. The person must have an address of their own. Worth 400 euros each year.

Over 80′s increase
Paid automatically when a pension reaches 80 – make sure you have it. 520 euros per year.

National fuel scheme
Means tested payment to help with heating costs 520 Euros yearly

Offshore Island increase
If you are getting a social welfare pension and living on certain islands off the coast of Ireland you can get an increase in your social welfare payment, this had been referred to as an Island Allowance.660.40 a year.

Extra benefits

Free travel & smartpass
Free travel on Bus/Rail/ Dart
Your spouse / partner can travel with you
You can get a companion pass if you are unable to travel alone
A smart pass will allow you to travel in Northern Ireland.

Free driving licence
You can get this at 70: you must have a Certificate of Fitness to drive.

DIRT free accounts

You can get your deposit interest paid without the deduction of DIRT or get a DIRT refund, if you are over 65 and your income (including your spouse’s income) is below the low exemption limit.

or

Your tax liability (including your spouse’s) for the year is below your tax credits (including your spouse’s) for that year.

Tax exemption limit at 65

- 18,000 if single/widowed

- 36,000 if married

Medical card

At age 70 if total income is under;

- 700 if single /widowed

- 1400 if married / civil partners

USC

For those over 70 the maximum you will pay is 4% on income over 10,036

Household benefits

Electricity /Gas = Standing charge and 1,800 Units of electricity or Gas Allowance of €393 per annum

Lifetime Free television licence (160 a year)
Telephone Allowance = 267 per year

Everyone over 66 receiving a state pension and living alone or with another pensioner will receive the Household Benefits package.

Nursing home support scheme
State Support = The total coast of your care Minus your means
80% of your income plus 5% of your assets

Bridget Fenlon – had a hysterectomy because of abnormal cells.

Cervical Cancer Facts:

- One of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer is not having had a smear test.

- Regular cervical screening stops cervical cancer before it starts

- Every year around 300 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 90 lives are lost.

- Cervical cancer ranks as the 8th most frequent cancer among women in Ireland and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.

- The average age of diagnosis is 45.

- All women aged between 25 and 60 can avail of a free smear test through CervicalCheck.

- From September 2009 to August 2010, 308, 130 women received free smear tests under CervicalCheck.

- Over 85% of smear test results in that period were negative or normal.

- 12.5% showed low grade abnormalities and 2% showed high-grade abnormalities.

- Abnormalities are pre-cancerous and are easily treatable.

- Senator Colm Burke said the condition is the second most common cancer among women aged between 15 and 44.

- Events planned by the Irish Family Planning Association and its partners for this week will particularly target under-privileged and hard-to reach socialgroups, who may not have such good access to health information.

- Female politicians will also be called upon to help the awareness effort, with every representative sent a ‘Pearl of Wisdom’ brooch and information on the condition.
About Cervical Cancer:

- Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix, which is the opening of the uterus at the top of the vagina.

- It occurs when cells in the cervix become abnormal and grow at an uncontrolled rate.

- 99% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection of certain high risk types of teh Human Papillomauvirus (HPV)

- HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world.

- Appromimately 50% to 80% of sexually active women contract some form of HPV at least once in their life, however, only a small proportion will develop cervical cancer.

- HPV infection usually has no symptoms and in most cases a woman’s body will clear the infection by itself within two years.

- The very small number of women whose bodies do not clear the infection are those who are at risk of developing cervical cancer.

- From the time that mild abnormalities are detected on the cervix, it usually takes 10 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop.

About Screening and Vaccination:

- Cervical cancer takes a long time to develop and can be prevented by a combination of vaccination, education and screening.

- Regular screening is essential because it allows for early detection of abnormal cells and early treatment thereby preventing the development of cervical cancer.

- Every woman between the ages of 25 and 60 should attend for free regular smear tests through CervicalCheck.

- Well organised screening programmes have been proven to reduce incidence by 80%

- The HPV vaccine has been proven to be almost 100% effective.

- If you have had a hysterectomy check with your doctor to see if you need to continue having regular smear tests.

How to reduce your risk of getting Cervical cancer:

- Have a regular smear test to pick up any early problems

- Stop smoking

- Visit your doctor is you have any concerns or symptoms such as irregular vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge.

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Derry O’Donnell is Ireland’s first Wedding Proposal Planner and will organise a decent proposal for you if you’re planning on popping the question. He also caters for women who want to get engaged in this Leap Year! His website is www.willyoumarryme.ie

 ≈  ≈

Dr Caitriona Henchion the Medical Director of the Irish Family Planning Association spoke about European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week – January 22^nd – 28^th. The aim of the week is to promote awareness about cervical cancer prevention and encourage women between the ages of 25 and 60 to avail of a free smear test from a GP Practice or Family Planning Clinic. You can find out more at – http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/

The study aims to find out more about the lives of children and teenagers living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression or anxiety in Ireland. Participants should be young adults (18-30) who were diagnosed with ADHD, depression or anxiety during childhood or adolescence. Taking part would involve being interviewed about your views and experiences.

Note that we are not carrying out, or paying for, the research: this is an academic project that we are publicising. This involves posting information to our website and making fliers available at our face-to-face support groups. Aware’s Clinical Director has reviewed this proposal and identified it as an ethical and appropriate project to support in this way.

For more information, download the information sheet.

Tonight, Monday 23rd Jan: Depression Support Group at 7:00pm,
Tonight, Monday 23rd Jan: Depression Support Group at 7:30pm,
Tonight, Monday 23rd Jan: Depression Support Group at 8.00pm,
Tonight, Monday 23rd Jan: Bi-Polar Group at 8.30pm,

Tuesday 24th Jan: Depression Support Group at 7.00pm
Tuesday 24th Jan: Depression Support Group at 7.30pm
Tuesday 24th Jan: Depression Support Group at 8.00pm
Tuesday 24th Jan: Depression Support Group at 9.00pm

Wednesday 25th Jan: Depression Support Group at 7.30pm
Wednesday 25th Jan: Depression Support Group at 8.00pm

Thursday 26th Jan: Depression Support Group at 7.30pm
Thursday 26th Jan: Depression Support Group at 8.00pm
Thursday 26th Jan: Depression Support Group at 9.00pm

Friday 27th Jan: Depression Support Group at 7:30pm

Saturday 28st Jan: Depression Support Group at 12noon.

Thanks and take care.

Kind Regards,

Aware

Aware Online Support Groups: http://support.aware.ie
Aware website: http://www.aware.ie/
Email: info@aware.ie

Kind Regards,

Aware

Now Christmas is over & at the start of a new year.January is always a hard month but people will & do get though this – Keep Positive,t

Keep positive & try not to get down about things,people are doing a let of talking about the reduction,cuts & so on – putting a lot of negative thoughts out there & giving people no hope – we well get out of this reduction,it may take a long time but the world along with ireland will get back on it feet again & people can start rebuilding their lifers again.

Please Keep your Faith!