Better With Money
Better With Money is a podcast from The Irish Times that offers a crash-course in personal finance. It covers how to spend responsibly, save effectively, and make big financial decisions wisely. New episodes are available starting February 24th.
Episodes
Personal investment account: ‘What is the interest rate in the new scheme?’
The Government’s planned personal investment account for ordinary savers was finally revealed on budget day, but it wasn’t long until the questions began arriving by email to The Irish Times business desk. Questions like “Do you get to choose where your money's invested, or does the government supply guidance via a reliable broker?", “Will I still have to pay income tax on dividends?” and
'Am I being ripped off?': Understanding changes to childcare in the budget
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 €95
Revealed: Ireland's new personal investment account - so how will it work?
Aideen Finnegan is joined by Dan Malone of Honest.ie for a debrief on the new personal investment account scheme unveiled by Finance Minister Simon Harris in Budget 2027. Dan explains it's a tax-advantaged “home” for investing in assets like stocks, funds, bonds and ETFs, with a €12,000 annual contribution cap and a €50,000 tax-free threshold. Once you go above that, a flat 1% tax rate kicks i
"Most people are overpaying for their health insurance": here's how to save on yours
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.
Wills, windfalls and inheritance tax: Here’s how to understand them in Ireland
Irish Times deputy business editor, Dominic Coyle, and trust and estate practitioner,Trea McGuinness, discuss what’s set to be the biggest transfer of generational wealth ever in Ireland. That’s because the over 65s own the lion’s share of the country’s private wealth and they’re set to pass on billions of euro – much of it tied up in property – over the coming decades. But McGuinness, who’s a par
'I get asked this almost by every client I have': ETFs with Kevin Elliott
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 wheth
Thinking of buying a derelict property to create your dream home? Here’s what you need to know
As "Cheap Irish Homes" returns to TV screens, Better with Money explores whether vacant and derelict properties could actually offer a route to home ownership for first-time buyers, or would it be a rookie mistake to take on a "fixer-upper" that big? Rachael Uí Bhaoill – aka @the.renovation.strategist - believes it’s “absolutely doable” adding her own first home was “a dump” she bought in recessio
New investment scheme: Here's what we now know - and what we still don't
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 i
Back to School: Conor Pope's guide to surviving the September squeeze
Yes schoolbooks are now free and non-crested uniforms are more widely available, but there remains an unavoidable financial burden for parents every September. Digital devices, app fees, voluntary contributions, new shoes, extra-curricular activities… It all adds up to a very tight September.And it comes right after an expensive few months of summer camps, Gaeltacht stays and perhaps unpaid parent
Paul Merriman on pensions: ‘I’d rather see clients mortgage-free by 66 even if that means delaying contributions’
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 t
How the viral 'admin party' saved €1,169
The idea of an “admin party” has gone viral since the term was coined last year. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise given how we are all drowning in our own quicksand of “I must get around to that” jobs. Whether it’s disputing a charge with your bin company, wading through health insurance or getting your car ready for the NCT, these “small” tasks coalesce to become one big soup of digital p
Impulse shopping ruining your finances? Here's how to break the cycle
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 tr
Buying a car: should you go Hire Purchase, PCP or a loan from your bank?
This episode was first published in September 2025 so the prices quoted will reflect a time when Donald Trump hadn't started a war with Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was open and inflation wasn't as high as it is now. However the information is rock solid because Neil Briscoe is breaking down the different ways to buy a car; Hire Purchase, PCP or a personal loan from the bank. Which option is the che
Solar Panels: 'Our electricity bill now averages €208 a month'
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
‘The best performing stock market was Colombia last year’: Picking an index fund as an Irish investor
If you have found yourself at the point at which you're finally ready to invest, but you don't know how to do your research into index and exchange traded funds (ETFs), this is the episode for you.There’s an overwhelming amount of information online about investing, but most of it is aimed an American, and to a lesser extent, a UK audience. In this episode wealth advisor, YouTube content creator a
‘Some of my followers have saved €100k’: What influencers told Harris in investment scheme briefing
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 p
Ireland’s new EV scrappage scheme opens tomorrow. Can you still get the €5,000 grant?
In this week’s episode, the font of all motoring knowledge Neil Briscoe is taking us through the government’s new pilot ICE to EV scrappage scheme. For us non petrol heads, those acronyms essentially mean “give up yer aul polluting car for an electric vehicle instead.” It involves trading in your end-of-life petrol or diesel car (at least 13 years) for a new EV, and is weighted 65% towards rural d
‘The cheapest quote can end up being the most expensive’: How to keep renovation costs down
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 th
‘It just absolutely baffles me’: How Ireland’s ‘single tax’ hurts at weddings as well as mortgages
From supplements on hotel rooms to needing to save tens of thousands of euro on your own to buy a home, the costs of doing anything in Ireland - as a single adult - are hidden and varied. Irish Times columnist and author, Emer McLysaght, joins Aideen Finnegan and Conor Pope on this episode of Better with Money to discuss the many ways single people are penalised by the so-called "single tax". Whil
Is your fixed-term mortgage ending this year? Tips on getting lowest rates in Ireland
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
Should you try and overpay your mortgage or invest instead?
What are the fastest and least painful ways of paying off your mortgage? Should you overpay, if you can? Or should you use any extra money to invest instead? What about switching - how much can it save you, really? These are the types of questions we're putting to Cian Carolan, financial planner and managing director of DNG Financial Services. In this episode we discuss affordability and why it's
I’ve helped people clear debt for 30 years. Here’s how to tackle it.
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 c
'My pension fund has grown by 69% in three and a half years' - here's how to maximise yours
If you have pension anxiety - either because you don't have one yet or because the one you do have won't cut it - this is the episode for you. Sjoerd Bak, a qualified financial adviser and founder of Become a Millionaire explains why pensions should come before any other investing, especially for those worried their retirement fund won’t be enough. Bak shares how a stroke in 2020 prompted him to r
Flights, car hire and the airport 'golden hour': Conor Pope's guide to holiday spending traps
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
'Never open that app again' - Investing platforms, ETFs, and the deemed disposal headache
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 pens
“99.9% of people shouldn’t be picking stocks’ - A beginner’s guide to investment apps in Ireland
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
New savings and investment scheme: What's in Simon Harris' plan?
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
“My salary was in my wardrobe” - How a former shopaholic overcame her overspending
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" a
Sinking Funds: How the viral trend can transform your finances
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 jo
Sort your finances out over a few drinks with friends: The ‘admin party’ that saved €1,169
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 expens
'You can holiday in Vietnam for the price of a week in Greece' - budget travel strategies that work
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
Pot o' gold or Fool's Gold? What beginner investors need to know
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
'Start off with an amount that you're comfortable with losing': a beginner's guide to the stock market
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 C
'Tell them you want €40k' Pay negotiations, investing, and how to take financial control
Financial literacy isn’t just about understanding jargon. It’s about security and independence, says Leah McMahon - a financial planner with Castle Capital of Limerick. Women are among those being targeted in the government's National Financial Literacy Strategy 2025-2029. So ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday we are looking at the ways you can boost your financial literacy, tackle money
‘That is the secret sauce’: How to set your children up for financial success in Ireland
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
From side hustle to startup: how to set up a small business
Not everyone was brought up in an entrepreneurial environment, and most of us didn't study business beyond the Junior Cert. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a go. Whether you're simply selling crafts on Etsy or giving school grinds on the side, the bureaucratic side of setting up a business can be a barrier for those who don't move in corporate circles. In this episode of Better with Mo
‘One couple had €1,500 waiting for them’: The tax refunds Irish workers aren’t claiming
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,
'The biggest asset apart from the family home is the pension': How to talk about money in relationships
If you were moving in with someone and they earned more than you, would you ask them to pay more of the rent? Or in the case of a divorce, how would you divide assets like a pension? The thorny issue of money in relationships is not one that’s generally thrashed out early on in a romance but has huge consequences for couples. That’s before you even get to the stage of trying to understand married
‘That’s what makes EVs so shockingly affordable’: Navigating the complex world of car buying
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 buyin
'It completely freed me from stress': The transformative power of sinking funds
The sinking fund trend is 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,
Fix your finances: Better with Money is back
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 a
Coming soon: new episodes of Better With Money
It's nearly Budget Day, and what better time to think about managing your finances? Better With Money will be back soon with new episodes helping you take advantage of tax breaks, survive in a world of high prices and finance that new car.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
The ultimate tax break you need to take advantage of
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 t
How to make a 'side hustle' work for you
What’s traditionally been known as the ‘nixer’ in Ireland, is recognised more widely on social media as the side hustle.Most people’s understanding of the term is additional income that supplements a person’s PAYE earnings.As with many other trends, Instagram and Tiktok’s algorithms churn out an Americanised version of the phenomenon where grind culture is revered and stories of multi-million doll
I cleared six figures worth of debt in Ireland. These are the low-risk ways to invest that helped
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
Buying a home? Insider tips to help you with each step, from loan approval to closing a deal
Are you in the fortunate position of being able to save for a home or you're hoping to buy in the next few years? Purchasing a property in Ireland, especially when you are new to the process, can be daunting task at the best of times. But with the current housing crisis it’s tougher than ever and that’s before you even get to the stage of dealing with auctioneers, banks, quantity surveyors and sol
How to finally get on top of debt
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
'How I saved €100,000 in four years' - strategies and tips for putting money away
Stephanie Barry Woods and her husband Tim quit their jobs in 2016 to travel the world. They haven't lived back home since. The Cork native goes by @StephMyLife on social media where she shares all her best travel tips, as well as how she and Tim managed to save €100,000 in four years to fund their adventure. In this episode, Steph elaborates on what she did as a formerly financially illiterate twe
How changing your 'money mindset' can help fix your finances
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
Conor Pope on budgeting without the BS: ‘It’s not about a life of misery. It’s managing the money you have’
If you’re struggling to budget and wondering where you’re going wrong, Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope has you covered. From spending tracking to goal setting to switching providers, Conor breaks it down into accessible steps without bombarding you with jargon or berating you for your love of oat milk lattes. Yes, this stuff is hard but is possible to budget in a way that’s e
Bad with money? This new podcast gives practical advice on fixing your finances
If you’ve always been a bit a mess with money, and it’s really time you got your act together, Better With Money from The Irish Times is the podcast for you. Whether you’re brutal at budgeting, interested in investing or hoping for your own home - we speak to people who’ve been there and done that, to explain the “yeah but literally how”? So don’t feel bad if you don’t know your a
Coming Soon: Better With Money
If you find managing your money a struggle, this is the podcast for you. From The Irish Times, Better With Money is a podcast crash-course in how to spend responsibly, save effectively and make big financial decisions wisely. Coming soon on podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
