Better With Money

For months there's been a maddening drip feeding of information about the Minister for Finance's proposed state-backed investment scheme for ordinary Irish savers. Yesterday the government finally nailed some colours to the mast revealing it will be tax free up to a certain threshold, financial institutions will report your tax liability to Revenue, and there'll be no fixed term where your money is "locked away." But key details are being held back for budget day on October 6th. The biggest unknowns are what that maximum threshold will be and what is the flat rate tax that will be applied by the government. The Irish Times' Cliff Taylor, who writes about economics and finance, breaks down the details. If you'\re brand new to the idea of investing, you can check out earlier episodes aimed at demystifying the process here, here and here. Oh and also here.Presented by Aideen Finnegan.These episodes are for information purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you think €40,000 a year would give you a comfortable life in retirement, the maths might give you a land. A 30 year old on just over €60k per annum would need to start saving 22% of their monthly income (€1,135) to secure that figure by the time they’re 66. And that’s assuming they have the PRSI contributions to qualify for the full State pension; currently a maximum of €15k a year. Who has that amount of money to squirrel away every month, we hear you cry! Precisely Paul Merriman’s reaction. The financial adviser and founder of AskPaul.ie is here reassure you there’s no need to panic. ”The spreadsheet doesn't know your life, your goals, your ambitions. I'd rather one of my kids set up a business and even fail in the next six or seven years in their 20s than have money set aside in a pension.”In this episode of Better with Money, Merriman emphasises the need for a realistic financial plan that looks at income, family costs and housing “because a good financial plan will tackle the pension eventually.”The 44 year old Fairstone Ireland CEO recommends prioritising being mortgage free by 66 even if that delays pension saving. He explains the tax relief in a nutshell, how pension plan tweaks (like upping your risk level) might be more prudent than increasing your contributions and urges listeners to set clear financial goals.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode first aired in April.It's exactly the one you need to hear if you buy so many items online, you feel you need to sneak them past your partner / family / housemates before they see another package arrive at the door. Even at a time of spiralling fuel prices and huge increases in the cost of living, it is possible for someone to overspend on holidays, clothes or even just the “little treats” when they can least afford it. Why? Because an abundance of credit, modern consumer culture, frictionless shopping experiences and a desire to feel control are all working in consort to part you with your money. And let’s face it, they don’t call it “retail therapy” for nothing. Had a colossally crap day at work? An online purchase might keep the dopamine going until the package arrives. Can’t afford to buy a house so why bother even trying? Let’s go to Ibiza. In this episode of Better with Money, Paige Pritchard, founder of overcomingoverspending.com explains why this thinking is a form of financial self-sabotage. But it's rarely about numbers and more about the “iceberg” beneath: mindset and emotions, shaped by beliefs about scarcity, responsibility and identity (“I’m just a spender”). Paige shares her story of racking up $40,000 worth of debt, the shame of revealing it to her loved ones, and how she's now dedicated to helping others break the cycle too. 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.

If you’ve been wondering whether solar panels are worth the costly initial outlay, this is the episode for you.“At no stage have I ever heard anyone say ‘I wish I didn’t put so many solar panels up.’ It’s usually ‘I wish I put a bigger battery in,’” says Garrett Fox, a landscaper and retrofitting enthusiast from Co. Galway. In 2018 during “The Beast from the East”, his 80s bungalow was so cold his bedroom curtains froze shut. Since then he’s added solar panels, insulation, new windows, air-to-water heating, two EVs and watched his energy bills plummet as a result.Garrett breaks down appliance costs by tariff, explains the key system parts (panels, inverter, battery and software), and outlines his (pun-tastic) “three whats” approach: what's your usage, what are your future plans for your home and what are your goals.For a typical three-bed semi, he estimates it would cost around €7,000 for 8 to 10 panels plus €4,000 to €5,000 for a 10kW battery. He believes you could potentially break even around five years later without a battery and six to seven with one installed, plus benefits from microgeneration credits and potentially lowering your mortgage interest rate if your improved BER qualifies you for a “green mortgage.”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.

Aideen Finnegan speaks to financial influencer Annmarie Gaynor (Irish Budgeting Mammy) and Cian Carolan of DNG Financial Services after they attended a Department of Finance meeting with Simon Harris and junior minister Robert Troy about a proposed state “personal investment account”. It’s not an SSIA savings account that would be topped up by the Government, neither will it be a product “with a portal you log into with a password.” Rather it looks set to be a tax-incentivised “wrapper” applying new rules to existing investment options offered by banks, life insurers and trading platforms. The key aim is to encourage “middle Ireland” to move some savings from deposits into long-term investing, but major details remain unconfirmed, including annual limits, fees, tax treatment and timelines. They describe Ireland’s complex investment taxes (deemed disposal, exit tax and a life-insurance levy) as barriers to getting involved in investing, while stressing the need for a financial literacy campaign to communicate risk, understand inflation and set clear personal goals for the individual.This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unless you’re Dermot Bannon, doing up your house must be one of the most expensive and nerve-wracking jobs you can ever take on. In this episode of Better with Money, Quantity Surveyor Shay Lally (aka @houses_to_restore on Instagram) speaks to Aideen Finnegan about how to plan and cost the renovation of an average 3-bed semi-d in Ireland.He explains why the cheapest quote can often end up being the most expensive because of omissions or “front-loading”, where the builder gets the bulk of the payment at the beginning and then ghosts you for the smaller jobs later on.Shay also explains how getting a QS involved from early on can help your budget with estimates, making payment assessments and negotiations during the project and tracking a final tally.And he also outlines common budget risks, the need for a clear brief, and prioritising essentials like insulation, heating and rewiring over finishes. This episode also covers SEAI and Vacant/Derelict Homes grants, staged bank drawdowns, contracts, red flags with tradespeople, and renovation choices that can add or reduce a home’s resale value.This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can changing your mortgage to a fortnightly payment plan save you money and reduce the overall term? Will striving to get your loan-to-value ratio down unlock the best interest rates? And how can you even go about that anyway? These questions and more are answered by Cian Carolan, MD of DNG Financial Services in this second episode of mortgage strategising. It’s all about finding a way to pay down that mortgage as quickly and painlessly as possible. Cian also explains what to consider if you’re rolling off a fixed-term rate cycle this year, and answers a question about how easy (or not!) it is for separating couples to buy each other out. This episode is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you missed last week's episode you can listen to it here, or scroll back one episode in the Better with Money feed. Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it's a few hundred euro on a credit card that you just can't manage to clear, or if you have fallen behind on your mortgage repayments due to an unforeseen life event - if debt is keeping you awake at night, this is the podcast you need to hear. This conversation with Gwen Harris, regional manager with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service explores practical, step-by-step ways to regain control of your finances - from creating a realistic budget to understanding options like loan consolidation and personal insolvency. Gwen also breaks down popular repayment strategies such as the “snowball” and “avalanche” methods, and highlights how people can maximise their income by claiming entitlements they may not realise they’re eligible for. She also shares advice for families, including why it’s important for parents to have honest conversations about contributions from adult children still living at home, especially during times of financial strain. Plus, Gwen offers simple, practical saving tips that can make a real difference over time. Presented by Aideen FinneganYou can contact MABS in confidence via their web site, call in person to one of their 60 regional offices or phone their helpline on 0818 07 2000.Previous episodes of Better with Money which deal with debt can be found here:‘How we saved €100k in four years’‘I went from €17,000 in debt and jobless to paying off my mortgage early’'I cleared six figures’ worth of debt in Ireland. These are the low-risk ways to invest'Better with Money is for information purposes only and does constitute financial advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wondering how you'll stretch your holiday budget amid uncertainty over rising energy costs and jet fuel supplies? Pricewatch editor Conor Pope has the latest on what the conflict in the Middle East might mean for airline cost-cutting, and why you should take out travel insurance as soon as you book. He also shares the airport spending traps you need to avoid to keep more money in your pocket. (Did you know they try and keep you in the shopping hall for longer by waiting ages to reveal your departure gate?!) There's also advice on navigating the world of car hire (fuel policies, collection windows and filming the car). And Conor recommends looking into the free local activities available in your destination location ahead of time, why you should always pay in local currency and make sure you decline ATM conversions. Staycations may offer better value due to sluggish demand, though Irish weather and costs can result in a Father Ted caravan situation.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've never opened an online trading app in your life (or you have but felt immediately overwhelmed) this is the episode for you. Dan Malone from honest.ie is a chartered accountant, chartered tax advisor and qualified financial advisor. He's analysed the most popular trading platforms in Ireland like Trading 212, Trade Republic, Lightyear, Interactive Brokers, Revolut and N26. Malone explains which ones might suit the novice investor, what hidden fees and sneaky charges you should look out for, and the tax implications come the pay-and-file deadline. This episode also explores how safe your money is, why most people shouldn’t be picking individual stocks at all, and Dan makes the case for long‑term, passive investing using low‑cost ETFs (exchange‑traded funds) instead. While there's plenty of jargon to get your head around, Dan explains it in plain English. Crucially, he explains why time in the market matters more than timing the market, why women are better investors, and makes the case for starting in your twenties.If you want to go back and listen to our earlier episodes about investing, including this one for absolute beginners, you can find them on irishtimes.com/podcasts/better-with-money/Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even at a time of spiralling fuel prices and huge increases in the cost of living, it's possible for people to overspend on clothes, holidays or even just the “little treats” when they can least afford it. Why? Because an abundance of credit, influencer culture, ease of online shopping and a desire to feel control are all working in consort to part you with your money. The terms "retail therapy" and "shopaholic" do a disservice to the seriousness of it. In psychology it's called oniomania. Paige Pritchard is a reformed compulsive spender who cleared $40,000 of debt and now helps others to break the cycle of harmful impulsive shopping. The founder of OvercomingOverspending.com believes that when it comes to spending - as opposed to "money" - it's hardly ever about the maths and the numbers. It's always about the mindset and the emotions. In this episode she shares her story of overspending, the ways companies get us to splurge and how she helps people resist the temptation.You can listen to the Emma Edwards interview referenced in this episode here, where she shares her thoughts and research on the psychology of our money habits.Presented by Aideen Finnegan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 'admin party' is the latest social media trend promising to save you money. The idea is it's a social, accountability-based way to tackle money-draining life admin. But does it work? Host Aideen Finnegan is joined by Irish Times journalists Niamh Browne, Conor Pope and Órla Ryan to see if they can fix their finances in real time. From gas bill hikes to health insurance, to claiming your expenses from work; the procrastination ends here.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this St. Patrick's Day, we are discussing gold as an investment choice; why it has soared in value, whether novice investors should get involved, and the approaches they could take. We're joined by MD of DNG Financial Services Cian Carolan and jewellery entrepreneur Chupi Sweetman who share their insights in dealing with fluctuating gold prices. Cian advises beginners to build an emergency fund first and clear high-interest debt, then consider gold only as a small diversifier within a broader portfolio, warning against market timing and knee-jerk selling. He compares buying physical gold (storage/insurance costs and risks) versus indirect exposure via funds or ETFs that track gold’s price, which can be bought in small amounts via investing apps. Chupi speaks about gold through the lens of the jewellery industry, which accounts for up to half of global gold demand. She joins the podcast as her company gets ready to announce its B Corp certification - which recognises high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.