Apple Pay: Yep, you can now pay with your PHONE in Ireland

Lifestyle

Mar 7, 2017

It looks like Apple users will now be able to pay by cash, card… or phone.

Yep, Apple Pay launches in Ireland today after test trials were carried out in the US and the UK.

And the US and UK users seemed to be pretty happy with the new feature, as it saw a 79 per cent satisfaction rate.

It seems like a lot of businesses are also hoping on board with the new method, as Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, Lidl, Aldi, Centra, Marks and Spencers, Insomnia, Apple Green, Boots and Harvey Norman have all signed up to offer the service to customers.

Ulster Bank’s Director of Customer Experience and Products Maeve McMahon said “Customer-centric innovation is really important to Ulster Bank, and Apple Pay will make mobile payments even easier for our customers.

"They will be able to pay for goods and services anywhere contactless payments are accepted, using their iPhone 6 or later or Apple Watch.

"We know from talking to them that they’re really excited about this announcement and that it’s an important part of our drive to be the number one bank for customer service, trust and advocacy.”

It seems like this could be the way forward.

SCAM ALERT! Gardaí warn against over-the-phone Revenue scam

News

Dec 10, 2016

by Staff Writer

A new telephone scam is under way in Ireland.

Gardaí are warning people against the scam, which involves a male or female caller saying they are from the Revenue Office and seeking immediate payment of a tax bill over the phone.

The caller may also instruct people to call another number and give their credit card and personal details.

"Do not give out your credit/debit card, bank account, or PPS Number to anyone who makes contact with you over the phone."

"An Garda Síochána, Revenue, nor any Financial Institution will ever call you and ask for your PPS number or bank account details," warn Gardaí.

Anyone who receives a call requesting any personal or financial information is advised to end the call and report it to any Garda station or the Garda Confidential line on 1800-666-111.

Like sports, PIZZA and MONEY?! Pizza Hut wants to pay you €45,000

Oct 27, 2016

by Amber Saunders

If you love all kinds of sports, eating colossal amounts of pizza and money, then there's a role going that's just for you.

In a job that sounds as crazy as being a professional cuddler, take a look at what Pizza Hut is offering students willing to travel around the country.

For only working seven months, you'll be paid $50,000 (€45,000) to go to as many NCAA championships as possible. It includes 90 games which span from basketball to hockey to volleyball and basically everything in between.

And can going to basketball matches while getting paid a ball load of money actually be counted as 'work'? Nope, it sounds like a dream to us…

Unfortunately, you have to be a resident of the US for the job, but how amazingly-wonderful does it all sound?!

If you want to investigate more, the application is open on the Pizza Hut website now.

Uh oh! Kylie to be questioned under OATH over Tyga’s money problems

Sep 25, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Despite gifting his BAE a massive diamond ring and a couple of luxury cars, it’s no secret that Rack City rapper Tyga isn’t the best with money.

As well as recently losing a number of vehicles through repossession, the 26-year-old hit-maker has also been in trouble with his landlord for failing to make rent, and now it looks like his on/off girlfriend Kylie Jenner could be dragged into a legal battle as part of her beau’s next financial dispute.

According to Entertainment Tonight, the young reality star will face questions under oath about the father of one’s finances as part of a 2013 case in which Tyga was sued by celebrity jeweller Jason Arasheben for not paying off over $270,000 in jewellery expenses.

Arasheben’s legal rep is planning to question 19-year-old Kylie about the OTT gifts she’s received from T during their relationship.

Presents of interest include a snakeskin Gucci handbag, that diamond promise ring, her 18^th birthday present (aka a $320,000 white Ferrari) and a $200,000 black Mercedes Maybach (the one with the pink lit interiors).

The couple have reportedly been ordered to be available for questioning in the coming weeks, but for now will avoid going to court as the attorney involved has agreed to interview them in a private setting.

The purpose of this questioning is to determine how Tyga can afford such an extravagant lifestyle while being unable to clear what he owes the jeweller.

Bargain! This room is currently up on Daft for a cool €1,250 a month

Sep 6, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Struggling to find a gaf in Dublin? Oh, we hear ya.

Between the Internet, an improving minimum wage and decent public transport links you would think that finding a place to live in the country’s capital shouldn’t be overly taxing.

But if this latest gem on Daft.ie is anything to go by, that assumption is nothing short of being completely and utterly bonkers.

According to this Daft ad, a nicely furnished double ensuite room in the popular village of Ranelagh will cost you a cool €1,250 a month BEFORE you pay any of your bills.

Granted the room is located only four minutes from the closest Luas stop and is part of a recently restored Georgian house which “boasts all mod cons”, but is that really enough to justify paying €15,000 per year to share a decent house with two other people?

Sadly this situation is quickly becoming the new normal as late last month a Daft report revealed that rents nationwide have now surpassed what they were during the Celtic Tiger era.

The report suggested that renting in the capital will now cost you 5.2 percent more than it would have in early 2008 and since landlords are taking full advantage of this situation, is it any wonder you could end up paying well over a grand a month for a house share?

So if you find yourself going completely daft as you search through, well, Daft, just know that you are by no means alone.

You won’t believe how much Daniel Craig could get to play BOND again

Sep 5, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Late last year Daniel Craig confessed in the bluntest of terms that he was more than ready to hang up his Bond boots once Spectre hit screens.

But despite the actor’s obvious lack of interest in the role – and the fact that everyone from Tom Hiddleston to James Norton is mad only to become his successor – it seems Bond bosses still only have eyes for Dan.

According to The Express, the good people at Sony Studios are willing to offer the 48-year-old actor $150 million for his part in playing the famous spy just twice more.

A source said the British actor “has played a genius hand” by publicly dismissing the part, as in doing so he has made Bond producers desperate to have him reprise the leading role.

The source revealed: “The studio is desperate to secure the actor’s services while they phase in a younger long-term successor.”

“Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn’t an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned.”

By the sounds of things the studio will not be taking no for an answer if they can avoid it as the source explained “they’re prepared to pay a king’s ransom” to convince Daniel to get involved.

“Then they will shoot two more films, which will be made virtually back-to-back, preferably featuring Daniel as 007 before he passes the figurative baton to someone else for a third movie that will mark the start of the new era,” they continued.

While it is still unclear as to whether or not Daniel will change his mind, for $150 mil if he doesn’t want the part we’d be more than happy to take it.

Feat image: Shutterstock

GIFs: giphy.com

You’ll never guess how much $$$ Bear is set to make in six months

Sep 3, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Stephen Bear caused a lot of controversy in the CBB house and caused even more when he won the show.

But now reports are saying the the Big Brother winner is set to make £1 million in just six months.

And how, you ask? Well, it's not from TV anyway.

According to The Sun, Stephen is listed as a shareholder in his brother's carvery outlet called Carve.

A photo posted by Stephen Hollywood Bear (@stevie_bear) on Sep 2, 2016 at 1:58pm PDT

An insider told the website: "Stephen looks up to Danny and has always joked about going into business together.

"Danny let him invest in Carve to see what his work ethic was like and now he's proved himself he's ready to make some serious money.

"In the seven days since leaving the house he's already made £150,000 just in scheduled nightclub appearances and he has big plans to invest.

Pop in to my brothers new establishment. Taking London by storm @carvecity

A photo posted by Stephen Hollywood Bear (@stevie_bear) on Sep 2, 2016 at 7:02am PDT

"He reckons he can make a million in six months and sees himself as a bit of an Alan Sugar,£ the source added.

Hmm, we'll see about that.

TOTES AWKS! Tyga’s Ferrari gets repossessed right in front of Kylie

Sep 1, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Despite the glitz and glam with which he surrounds himself, it once again appears that poor old Tyga is a little bit short on cash as his red hot Ferrari has been repossessed.

On Tuesday the rapper and his reality star girlfriend Kylie Jenner took the luxury vehicle for a spin to a Bentley dealership in Calabasas, but while they were inside checking out cars Tyga’s ride disappeared.

According to TMZ, while T and Kylie were browsing the repo man arrived on the scene with a spare key to the Rack City rapper’s car and quickly took off with it down the freeway.

Ferrari summer

A photo posted by Tyga / T-Raww (@kinggoldchains) on Jul 23, 2016 at 5:49pm PDT

It is believed the 26-year-old star had failed to keep up with his lease payments and by Californian law that means the lender was fully entitled to take back the car at a time of their convenience.

Thankfully the celebrity couple weren’t left completely stranded as one of Tyga’s mates decided to be sound and gave them a lift home.

Earlier this year Us Weekly reported that the father of one had been hit with a $480,000 judgement for not paying his rent, but somehow he still managed to gift his 19-year-old partner a customised Mercedes-Maybach for her birthday less than a month ago.

Thank you baby @kinggoldchains

A video posted by King Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Aug 6, 2016 at 2:10pm PDT

Maybe Tyga should try keeping up with his payments instead of the Kardashians.

Jennifer Lawrence named world’s highest paid actress once AGAIN

Aug 23, 2016

by Amber Saunders

She’s outspoken, funny, stunning and – as the latest Forbes rich list has revealed – absolutely minted. Yes, it seems Jennifer Lawrence really does have it all.

The Joy star has been named Hollywood’s highest earning female actress for the second year running, despite being the youngest lady on the star studded list which includes the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron and Julia Roberts.

According to The Telegraph, the 26-year-old Oscar winner will rake in a cool $46 million this year as she receives payment for her work on the Hunger Games and X-Men Apocalypse movies, as well as for her role as a Dior brand ambassador.

Melissa McCarthy took second place on the list with her $33 million income – that’s $10 million more than what she made last year – and Scarlett Johansson occupies the third spot with $25 million.

Former Friends star Jennifer Aniston is expected to make $21 million, while Mila Kunis took ninth place with $11 million.

Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon and Kristen Stewart failed to make this year’s list, despite all having featured on the 2015 version.

While we wouldn’t say no to J Law’s salary, it is still worth noting that the actress’ $46 million income is still only half of what Hollywood’s leading man Robert Downey Jr made last year.

Feat image: Getty

OMG! Dermot O’Leary lands how many MILLION for X Factor return?

Jul 13, 2016

by Amber Saunders

Dermot O'Leary must be feeling pretty chuffed with himself today as the TV presenter has reportedly signed an £8million contract which will see him host the X Factor for the next four years.

And that's not all – according to The Sun, the new deal will not prevent the British-born broadcaster from working on other projects while signed with the hit show so Dermot will be able to top-up his lucrative pay package whenever he feels the need to do so.

The 43-year-old host lost his spot on the hit talent show last year when he was rather unsuccessfully replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack, but the break seems to have benefited Dermot in a big way as not only will he take back his position as the show’s host, he is also about to become the highest-paid solo presenter on British television.

An insider told The Sun: “This is the comeback of all comebacks for Dermot.”

“Just one year after Cowell axed him, he’s signing the contract of a lifetime.”

“Simon may have had questions about Dermot’s commitment before but he soon realised he’d made a mistake."

“Even a couple of weeks into the live shows last year, enquires were being made about bringing Dermot back.”

“He had to think long and hard about it because he was loving working on a wide range of projects, including TV series for the BBC, documentaries and his Radio 2 show.”

“But at the end of the day he loves X Factor and he was pretty much able to name his price – it was too good an opportunity to walk away from.”

The X Factor will be back on screens next month with Dermot as host and Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne as judges.

Why not wearing MAKE-UP to work could be costing you a lot of money

Jul 12, 2016

by Amber Saunders

If you're in the habit of sacrificing a made-up face for an extra ten minutes in bed in the morning, it might be worth noting that that very habit could be costing you a lot come pay day.

Yes as much as it sucks, a pair of American sociologists have found that physically attractive people generally tend to make more money than those of us who are only of "average" good looks.

According to Marie Claire, researchers Jaclyn Wong and Andrew Penner found that "attractive individuals earn roughly 20 percent more than people of average attractiveness”.

But before you get too upset and start blaming your financial woes on genetics, it might be worth noting that the study shows the relationship between good looks and income is reduced when grooming is controlled for – which basically means that by wearing makeup to work, you boost your chances of making more money.

While it was previously believed that women's looks have a greater effect on their pay check than men's, this study actually found that perceived attractiveness is of equal importance for men and women when it comes to their income.

The report states: “Further, while both conventional wisdom and previous research suggest the importance of attractiveness might vary by gender, we find no gender differences in the attractiveness gradient.” Wohoo for equality!

Interestingly – and again stressing the value a bit of slap can have in the workplace – the researchers did note that while grooming can fully make up the looks-income gap for women, it can only fill in half the difference for men.

So next time the man in your life tells you make-up is a waste of money, you now have the info to put him straight.