Better With Money

Parents around the country were left confused last week when the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said he was reducing the “maximum childcare fees paid by parents from €735 to €550 per month” for children up to senior infants from September of next year. It led to a slew of emails to The Irish Times with parents wondering why they are currently paying well above that figure - from €959 up to €1,400. Irish Times deputy business editor Dominic Coyle explains that "not for the first time, there appears to be a substantial “reality gap” between the Government’s understanding of the “maximum” cost of care and the real maximum under its own core funding rules." In this episode of Better with Money, Coyle and host Aideen Finnegan explain the fee system under the Core Funding scheme, what subsidies are available to parents and how lower-income households can avail of extra supports to help with the cost (such as the income assessed subsidy which will rise €73,000 next year). The episode also examines what's driving costs for the sector and why childcare providers feel they're being under-compensated.This episode is brought to you in association with Standard LifeUnderstanding the fee caps and subsidies for parents under the National Childcare SchemeDominic Coyle on the gender pension gap Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not everyone can afford or even wants health insurance. But for those who do - or those who worry affordability will force them to drop theirs - this episode of Better with Money is your ultimate guide to saving at a time of stringent price hikes. Dermot Goode has been working in the area of health insurance for over 35 years and what he doesn't know about the industry isn't worth knowing. He explains how many people are on outdated, overly expensive plans and could save by switching within the same insurer. Families can split cover for different members to reduce their bills. There are key phrases you can use when on the phone to insurers to get the best deals. Dermot explains community rating, waiting periods, age loadings from 35, how pre-existing conditions are assessed from medical evidence, and the two-year “upgrade rule” for extra benefits. He warns against low-value entry-level plans and high-excess products, outlines what mid-level and corporate plans cover, and highlights children’s deals, young adult rates, and add-ons like dental plans and HSF cash plans for outpatient costs.Presented by Aideen Finnegan.This episode is brought to you in association with Standard Life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investment expert Kevin Elliott returns to the podcast to answer the most commonly asked questions about Exchange Traded Funds, including the one he gets asked by almost every client: "Should I start investing in ETFs now, or wait for the personal investment account set to be announced by the government on budget day?" In this conversation with host Aideen Finnegan, he also gives his take on whether the scheme will help "middle Ireland" on the basis of what we know so far (annual contribution cap, tax-free gains up to a threshold, and providers handling Revenue reporting). Kevin uses the equivalent UK and Swedish schemes as a reference point to compare the likely structure, the tax applied, and why he expects fees to be high relative to what broker apps currently charge. Kevin spoke to Better with Money back in July and you can listen to that episode here. For absolute beginners, we have ETF explainer episodes with Dan Malone here and here.Better with Money 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.