So what do YOU know about money?
Have a go at our fun Quiz of the Year and put your f inancial know-how to the test
What’s the cheapest energy deal? Where can you get the best interest rate for your money? What percentage of your income can you put into your pension tax-free? And what item costing less than a fiver beat the iPhone 15 Max Pro and other pricey purchases to become Product of the Year?
Readers may know the answers as we’ve covered these issues in 2023. But here’s a quiz to remind you of the best deals of the year and to test your overall knowledge of fun financial facts.
1. What figure is used as a watermark in most euro banknotes? a) Jean-Claude Juncker
b) Jean-Claude Van Damme
c) Ursula von der Leyen
d) Europa – a figure from Greek mythology
2. The man credited with uniting the European union died this week. He was:
a) Nigel Farage
b) Bertie Ahern
c) Jacques Delors
d) John DeLorean
3. The famous Sun newspaper headline about him was:
a) Bertie played a blinder
b) Nicely done Nigel
c) Up Yours DeLorean
d) Up Yours Delors
4. Who sets interest rate in the Eurozone? a) The European Commission
b) The Federal Reserve
c) The European Parliament
d) The European Central Bank
5. What’s the ECB base rate?
a) 15%
b) 4.5%
c) Minus 0.5%
d) 2.5%
6. How many times did it rise since summer 2022?
a) 10 times
b) Three times
c) 15 times
d) Just once
7. What is the best on-demand rate on Irish deposits?
a) 10%
b) 0.1%
c) 2.46%
d) 5%
8. What is the best deposit rate over one year? a) 9%
b) 5%
c) 4.1%
d) 22% 9. Energy prices came down rapidly at the end of 2023. Which new company cut prices twice and had the cheapest deal (at the start of December).
a) Flogas
b) Virgin
c) Electric Ireland
d) Yuno
10. Energy discounts for switchers also came back into fashion in 2023, making it more worthwhile to shop around. How much could you save per year by switching to the best rate? a) €498.50
b) €930.50
c) €45.10
d) €150
11. If over 60 you can contribute what percentage of your income to your pension tax-free (within limits)?
a) 100%
b) 40%
c) 29%
d) 4%
12. Which of the following measures will NOT apply from January 2024:
a) Universal Social Charge will be abolished
b) You can retire later in return for a higher pension. c) An energy credit of €150 will start to be applied
d) You will be entitled to a brown bin collection service.
13. Consumer champion Which? magazine’s product of the year was:
a) The iPhone 15 Pro Max
b) Aldi Almat Washing Powder
c) Apple Watch 9
d) Dyson V15 Detect vacuum
14. What is the name for a (very) old Irish coin worth 4 old pence?
a) Leopard
b) Farthing
c) Groat
d) Shilling