Better With Money

This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It's the second part of our chat with Dan Malone from honest.ie who is demystifying the various online trading platforms available to Irish people. Dan walks through how a beginner (like “Sarah,” a 30-something on an average salary) can start long-term investing, stressing that the first step is maximising pension contributions and having an emergency fund. He recommends choosing a user-friendly, low-fee broker app such as Trading 212, Trade Republic, Degiro or Lightyear etc, and trying them out with small deposits, before committing to a long-term mindset. He explains ETF selection, how some are structured and why buying euro-denominated listings will avoid foreign exchange costs. The conversation also covers realistic amounts of money, euro cost averaging vs lump sums, and Ireland’s deemed disposal rules which are essential to being tax compliant.Presented by Aideen Finnegan.Listen back to part one here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are unpacking Simon Harris’s proposed savings and investment scheme, due to be unveiled in October, and what questions remain about how it will work. Qualified Financial Advisor and long-time investor Kel Galavan says it won't mirror the Celtic Tiger era SSIA scheme. It's more likely to be styled on the Swedish or UK system; where savers put their money in accounts specially designed for novice investors. The known unknowns include access rules, fees and term length - we will have to wait until the Budget to get the full picture. Kel outlines what we know, what we don't, and how you can start investing now, without waiting for the announcement in October. She explains the basics of investment taxation, including capital gains tax versus exit tax and deemed disposal. While waiting for the Minister For Finance to reveal the details, she recommends getting your money foundations right, (rainy day and emergency funds, pension etc), seeking better savings rates via regulated European banks, and using “no spend days” to create extra money to save or invest.This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Better with Money is on a break for Easter so we are revisiting our favourite episode from last year, all about the "sinking fund." It's a fancy way of saying you have separate of pots of savings for specific expenses. There's a legion of advocates who swear by the practice. One such enthusiast is Anita Collins, a maths teacher from Limerick who runs the Instagram page @efficientfamilylife. She joins the podcast to explain in detail how sinking funds can help people manage their finances more effectively, help create a buffer for those hefty energy bills and make spending on yourself a guilt-free experience.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No one knows more about organising an unforgettable holiday on a tight budget than Cork woman Stephanie Barry Woods. She and her husband Tim have been travelling the world for the past decade, having every type of experience imaginable. From road tripping around Spain to luxury stays in the Maldives to Bankok hostels and full moon parties in Thailand. (You can hear how they made that happen in an earlier episode of Better with Money) In today’s episode Steph shares the best tips and tricks she’s learned over the years; from getting the best price on flights and accommodation to alternative family breaks to organising a holiday in south east Asia for the same price as a week on a Greek island. You'll be submitting your annual leave request by the time you get to the end of this episode.Better with Money is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've spoken about investing before on Better with Money but today we're honing in specifically on how to invest in the stock market. If you've been wondering how you can generate a passive income from your smartphone but wouldn't know an investment fund if it jumped up and bit you in the face, don't worry because neither does our host Aideen.Today she speaks to The Irish Times' Fiona Reddan and CEO of the Trinity Student Managed Fund Senan Delargy about how to get started today with as little as €1 (you can do it via apps like Revolut or Davy Select) or take on less of the work by choosing life-wrapped funds where providers handle the taxes but charge higher fees.Fiona breaks down the jargon and tax implications in plain English (33% capital gains tax on shares with a €1,270 annual allowance, 38% exit tax on funds, deemed disposal every eight years, and possible dividend withholding tax, alongside advisor allocation rates.) There are practical tips from Trinity undergrad Senan - who's investing journey began during Fresher's Week - like starting with products you know and basic stock analysis ideas.This podcast is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sure, tis a minefield, how could it!?Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.The first of Fiona Reddan's eight week series on how to invest begins today in The Irish Times. Go to irishtimes.com/subscribe so you don't miss any.You can listen back to our introduction to investing with @MrsSmartMoneyHQ Kel Galavan and our pensions deep dive with Irish Times deputy business editor Dominic Coyle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's tough making ends meet in 2026, let alone setting aside money for our children's future. But Robert Whelan of Rockwell Financial says it's worth putting away any amount, even to just to get started. In his professional opinion though, an investment strategy is needed to inflation-proof your savings. In this episode of Better with Money we explain some of the most accessible ways you can start that investment journey, like directly purchasing EFTs (Exchange Traded Funds) yourself, or consulting a fund manager to do it for you. We also discuss the most tax efficient ways of passing money to your children, without incurring the whopping 33% Captial Acquisitions Tax. And Robert shares the financial advice he wish he could have given his 18 year-old self. Better with Money is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.If you have a topic you want Better with Money to consider, email aideen.finnegan@irishtimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The average Irish PAYE worker overpays €900 euro a year in tax. That's because many of us don't know we can claim money back on things like routine GP visits or pharmacy prescriptions. There are also tax reliefs that people mistakenly believe they're not entitled to, like the Home Carer Credit. The name might imply it's only available to carers of the elderly or a child with a disability. In fact, it's available to any married couple where one person works and the other is a stay-at-home parent. In this episode, we're looking at ways to put money back in your pocket particularly in light of a disappointing budget for middle-income workers on Tuesday this week. In this episode Alan Purcell of CloudAccounts.ie takes us through the most common tax refunds we fail to claim, and how you could log on to Revenue.ie today to find an overpayment waiting to be returned to you.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.Brought to you in association with PwC.Alan Purcell can be found on Instagram @cloudaccounts Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to buying a new car, financing options can vary widely. You have to factor in the total running cost (tax, fuel, insurance etc) and then watch out for the hidden ones. Throw in jargon like ‘PCP finance’ and ‘guaranteed future value’ and now you’re completely bamboozled. Irish Times motoring journalist Neil Briscoe joins the podcast to simplify and demystify the whole process of buying a new or used car, with practical tips for potential buyers. He explains the various financing options and which one actually works out cheaper in the long run. The conversation also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of leasing, the importance of trade-ins, and the “shockingly enormous" savings you can make from going electric. Don’t buy a car until you’ve heard this episode!Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calling all financial hot messes: Better With Money from The Irish Times can help you – even during a time of crazy prices. We break down the money questions you care about, jargon free and with people who’ve been there and done that. Subscribe to Better With Money from The Irish Times wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland. PwC Ireland’s tax experts are here to help you prepare for Budget 2026, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Visit pwc.ie/budget to learn more.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alright fine, we'll admit it. This episode is about pensions. But we're unpacking them in a way that won't melt your brain, we promise. Whether you've started late or haven't even taken one out yet, deputy business editor Dominic Coyle explains:How to start from scratch, or level up a basic pension planUnderstanding jargonHow employer contributions can help double your pension potHow to maximise the state's contributionWays you can offset the disadvantage of starting laterHow the gender pay gap affects women's pensionsSneaky charges you need to watch out forDon't think of it as a pension. Think of it as a bucket list fund for your 'second act'.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.Dominic answers your personal finance questions every week in The Irish Times. You can send your queries to dominic.coyle@irishtimes.com For more jargon-free and impartial pension tips, go to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've always thought investing is only for high-earning, suit-wearing, happy-hour cocktail swigging finance bros, Kel Galavan - aka MrsSmartMoneyHQ - is here to tell you why you're wrong. The Qualified Financial Advisor was in six figure debt after the 2008 financial crash, but has since turned her financial life around and now coaches others who are new to the investing game. In this episode she explains why saving is not enough and how the way to secure your financial future is with a long-term, lower-risk strategy. If you don't know your stocks from your shares or your IPO from your EFTs, this episode is for you.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the aftermath of the financial crash, Ann-Marie Gaynor was getting over a marital breakdown, lone parenting three children under 7 and in five-figure debt. A self-described Celtic Tiger baby, Gaynor says she only ever saw her credit card limit as a target and would apply for a new card once she'd maxed out another. In this episode she shares how she turned her life around; kicking the debt, clearing her mortgage and now encouraging her social media followers to regain control of their finances too. The Longford woman who goes by the name @IrishBudgetingMammy is sure others can tackle their debt even now during this cost of living crisis.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.Resources mentioned in this episode:Money Advice and Budgeting Service Other links you may find helpful:The Insolvency Service of Ireland’s Back On Track web siteCompetition and Consumer Protection CommissionIf debt is causing serious mental distress, reach out and speak to an organisation like Samaritans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your earliest money memories might be sabotaging your present day finances. That top you bought after a bad day at work? That savings account you keep meaning to open? Or that skimping you do on the bill at the end of a meal, that makes your friends’ eyes roll... Most of these behaviours can be traced back to attitudes and beliefs around money that we formed in childhood, according to Emma Edwards of The Broke Generation. In this episode we speak to the finance writer, podcaster and author about the narratives we carry into adulthood that get in the way of our fiscal well-being. Edwards explains how to figure out our subconscious beliefs around money, why you shouldn't skip this step and how self-discovery can break the cycle of self-defeating behaviour. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Broke GenerationGood With Money by Emma Edwards is available in all good bookshopsThe concept of money mindset categories were popularised by the financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.