CAN I RETURN UNUSED GIFTS EVEN IF I DON’T HAVE A RECEIPT?

QI bought some items as presents before Christmas and never used them. Can I bring them back even if I don’t have a receipt?

AUnder consumer law, you can’t just take something back to a shop and get a refund if you change your mind about buying it. However, you must get a refund, repair or replacement if goods are:

Not as described on the packaging Not of merchantable quality Faulty or do not last a reasonable time

Fortunately, many – if not most – stores will allow you to exchange an item or even give you a refund if you return it in a timely manner with a receipt.

If you don’t have the receipt, a record of the transaction on your credit card or bank statement – providing the amount matches the price of the item – might help your cause.

If you tend to mislay receipts why not take a picture of each one on your phone as you are shopping – or use an app such as SmartReceipts to keep track of them.

QI am anticipating a colossal credit card bill in early January. Which bank offers the best deal for balance transfers, so I can switch and limit the interestrate damage?

AThe lowest rates are 0% from Bank of Ireland, KBC and PTSB. But these are for 6/7 months only. If you can clear the bill in that short space of time go for one of these options. Of these, the ‘lowest’ rate once the offer period expires is with Bank of Ireland’s Platinum Advantage Card at 19.89%.

AIB and Ulster have introductory deals at 3.83% for 12 months, which would give you more time to clear the loan.

AIB’s 17% interest on its Platinum Visa card is also the most attractive rate once the low-rate period expires, so this would be your best bet overall.

The lowest credit card interest rate is AIB’s Click card at 13.8% but, probably for this very reason, there is no special ‘switching rate’.

QI’m not interested in doing the Lotto as I know the odds are stacked against me but I see the National Lottery gives 30% of its receipts to ‘good causes’. What are these good causes and how could I apply?

AYou’re absolutely right. It could be you – if you apply for Lotto funding. There is a much better chance of getting funding for your pet project than there is of winning a million euro.

The types of project funded range widely. One example is the restoration of the ship cabin that polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton passed away in, which will go on display in Athy Heritage Centre-Museum in early 2018.

National Lottery Good Causes funding has also helped the Blackwater Sub Aqua Club in Fermoy, Co. Cork, to get new equipment and boats.

Another recipient this year via the Arts Council was the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company in Sligo town.

Applications for funding should be made via the relevant Government Department. For sports applications contact the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (dttas.ie).

For applications relating to the arts, culture and heritage (including the Irish language), try the Arts Council or Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (ahrrga.gov.ie).

The Department of Health (health.gov.ie) or the Health Service Executive (hse.ie) will deal with those relating to health of the community.

For youth, welfare and amenities funding try the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (dcya.gov.ie).

And for applications relating to the natural environment, your best bets are the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government (housing.gov.ie), or the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (dccae.gov.ie).