Everybody's looking for a holiday home these days, and if you want to go where the action is, how about Dunquin, in Kerry? For the most part you'll probably enjoy tranquillity, but there could be the odd bit of excitement too. Last week a big chunk of a local cliff slipped onto the foreshore on the popular scenic route. The last time it happened, apparently, was 40 years ago, so you might have more chance of seeing Halley's comet again. That'll be back in 2061. So, how much for a €250,000 mortgage over 20 years?

STANDARD VARIABLE

BEST Halifax €1,622.39 a month

AVOID PTSB €1,663.73 a month

Saving €496.08 per annum

TRACKER

BEST Halifax €1,508.37

AVOID First Active €1,636.11

Saving €1,532.88 per annum

THREE-YEAR FIXED

BEST NIB €1,618.29

AVOID AIB €1,654

Saving €428.52 per annum

HOME INSURANCE

Some insurance companies won't quote for an area with a history of subsidence, such as in parts of Cork city, but just in case you're a bit wary about living in Dunquin, how much for house insurance on a bungalow worth €380,000, with a rebuild cost of €130,000 and 10 per cent contents cover?

BEST Simply Mortgages €116

AVOID Benchmark €246.74

Saving €130 per annum.

MOTOR INSURANCE

Comprehensive insurance for a 23-year-old female living in Longford and driving a 2004 1.4-litre Volkswagen Beetle.

BEST Insureme.ie €374 (Hibernian)

AVOID ARB Private Motor €1,389

Saving €1,015 per annum.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

After hearing of the success of Thomas Maguire of Fermanagh, who has won the North Pole Marathon in Norway, you may be tempted to visit frostier climes before they turn into balmy tropics. Head south instead of north, and witness the melting spectacle of Antarctica. Insurance for two adults for one month.

BEST Insureme.ie €58

AVOID Bank of Ireland €130

Saving €72

WEDDING INSURANCE

It's getting to that time of year again. You won't be able to return your new husband or wife if you find some fault you weren't previously aware of, but the wedding insurance will cover all manner of things for the big day, such as in the event the cake doesn't arrive or the event has to be cancelled (not if you just change your mind). Marquee cover can also be arranged, which will cover damage to it, and also to the bride and groom in case it all comes crashing down - the marquee that is, not the relationship. Prices from: €99 to €299 (provides cancellation cover of between €10,000 and €40,000). Marquee cover costs an additional €59.

CREDIT CARDS

How not to melt the plastic.

BEST NIB Platinum Mastercard 8.8 per cent APR

AVOID Ulster Bank Standard Visa 18.3 per cent

SAVINGS

Is your SSIA burning a hole in your pocket? For amounts up to €10,000.

BEST Rabobank 5 per cent

AVOID An Post, 0.1 per cent up to €5,999. A paltry 0.25 per cent for greater amounts.

PERSONAL LOAN

Mary Harney, right, is looking into providing State funding for IVF treatment, which is currently available in about eight centres across the country. It's not cheap though, and out of the financial reach of many who'd like to have children, hence the push to get the Government to cough up for it. Typically, treatment can cost in the region of €4,000. So how much to borrow it over three years? Quotes from Simply Mortgages.

BEST Tesco €123.01 a month (6.9 per cent APR)

AVOID AIB €131.36 a month (APR 10.25 per cent)

Saving €300 over the term of the loan.

Figures from Insureme.ie, Simply Mortgages, IFSRA.