The Last Word with Matt Cooper How To Reduce The Impact The Middle East Conflict Has On Your Finances
Apr 1, 2026
Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor at the Irish Independent, shares practical money-saving tips. He talks about growing your own food, preparing for fuel issues and small habits to improve fuel efficiency. He covers smarter grocery shopping, switching energy suppliers for big savings, fixing your mortgage before rates rise, reviewing health insurance and claiming tax refunds.
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Home Vegetable Patch Cuts Food Costs And Delivers Joy
- Charlie Weston grows Maris Piper potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce in a small home patch to save money and for pleasure.
- He notes even apartment dwellers can use containers and seed potatoes, and fresh new potatoes are especially rewarding and tasty.
Drive Smarter To Reduce Fuel Bills
- Drive more efficiently to conserve fuel by accelerating slowly, reducing speed, removing unnecessary weight and using less air conditioning.
- Charlie warns fuel prices and potential shortages could force measures like remote working, fuel rationing or car-free Sundays.
Swap Premium Brands For Own Label Staples
- Shop smarter by choosing own-brand staples and looking lower or higher on shelves instead of sticking to premium brands.
- Charlie gives sugar and milk as examples where own-brand versions can be a euro cheaper per kilo with no real taste difference.