Money Talks

For many people, hearing about investment portfolios or wealth generators can seem all too hypothetical.  It’d be a nice thing to have if I had the funds to do it.  On this episode of Money Talks, Katie Byrne is joined again by Robert Whelan, managing director of Rockwell Financial, to share his expert advice on how to build your first €10k, including what the common mistakes are, the be...

You may not realise it, but this is the week when we officially pass the halfway point of the year. While your New Year's Eve resolutions might be a distant memory, it’s not too late to get things back on track with a mid-year financial reset. Katie Byrne is joined by Michael Houghton, host of The Irish Fire Podcast , to review the 11 steps you need to take to stay on track for the rest of the yea...

We’re entering that time of year where many people are likely to have a wedding (or two) on the horizon. Whether you’re one half of the happy couple, planning a speech for the reception or just dusting off your dancing shoes as a guest, it's good to understand the costs involved. ­ To discuss the financial aspects of hosting or attending a wedding in 2026, Katie Byrne is joined by Irish Independen...

Whatever your preferences, and whether you like it or not, what you drive tells the world about who you are. ­ Maybe you value speed over comfort or require an SUV the size of a small school bus… Well, regardless of your needs, chances are you’ve made a few mistakes when purchasing your car. ­ Katie Byrne is joined by Alpha Wealth’s Nick Charalambous to discuss why even smart people lose money on...

We make financial decisions day in, day out. The items we buy, the money we save, the goals we set... It can be easy to forget, however, that some of the biggest life-changing money decisions might be hiding in plain sight. But what are they? And how do you make clear-eyed choices while listening to your head and your heart? Kel Galavan joins host Katie Byrne to unpack all this and more. Host: Kat...

Over the last few years, awareness of financial abuse has grown, particularly when it concerns a romantic partner. But are you aware of the red flags that might indicate you or someone you know are being abused? And do you know who to speak to if things go awry? ­ Katie Byrne is joined by expert Melissa Boyle for a discussion about the various forms financial abuse can take – and the sometimes sub...

With every summer holiday, there’s an almost inevitable routine of boarding a plane to a sun-drenched destination and then wondering: could I just stay? This week’s Money Talks guest has done just that. As one-half of the Puglia Paddys, John Nolan and his partner have swapped life in Nurney, Co Kildare, for Osteria in Italy. ­ Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: John Nolan ( Puglia Paddys ) ­ The content o...

In today’s economy, it can sometimes feel like the gap between those earning enough to save and invest for the future and those who are just earning enough to get by is growing ever bigger. But the key to building wealth isn’t just earning more. Katie Byrne chats to investment adviser Sjoerd Bak to uncover the money habits that can help you build wealth on an average salary. Host: Katie Byrne | Gu...

 In a short time, more and more people have become very comfortable handing over the (various) reins of their lives to AI. Perhaps they use it for a work pitch, a fitness regime or even a wedding speech. But what about their money? Indo Money journalist Saoirse Hanley tells host Katie Byrne about using AI as a financial therapist.  Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Saoirse Hanley The content of this...

Recent figures from Revenue show that the average refund issued this year was €1,000, yet thousands of workers still aren’t claiming the money that they’re owed. Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Purcell of CloudAccounts to give you a sense of what you might be entitled to, just how easy it is to claim, and what you might have missed.   Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Alan Purcell (CloudAccounts)    See om...

Being in a relationship has many financial advantages, but only if a couple are on the same page. Some quietly build wealth together while others hide spending from one another. Leah McMahon, senior financial planner with Fairstone Limerick, joins Katie Byrne to explore the habits that set some couples apart while keeping them together.  ­ Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Leah McMahon (senior finan...

How many of us have said “we really need to look at the household budget” or are guilty of claiming they’ll get to it “some day”? It’s a scenario that has played out countless times for journalist and podcaster Rosemary MacCabe. But when she and her husband Brandon finally sat down to look through the household accounts in their home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, they were in for a rude awakening. So ho...

Ellie Kistnen's story is one many listeners would likely aspire to. Realising some years ago that her debt was no longer feasible, she set out to get on top of it. She has since turned her situation around – and offers great advice to others on paying off a mortgage early, switching providers, or even just managing the day-to-day budgeting that makes a big difference overall. Host: Katie Byrne | G...

If you’re hoping to improve your finances, but aren’t having any luck, might you be focusing on the wrong things? Are there certain expenses or habits that subtly cripple your efforts? Robert Whelan of Rockwell Financial argues that, sometimes, small incremental changes yield the biggest results. In this episode, he lays out the seven behaviours that might be holding you back, from drift and finan...

Last week, the High Court issued a landmark judgement in favour of Sky, allowing them to pursue end users of ‘dodgy boxes’ instead of just the providers. So what does this mean for the approximately 400,000 users of this illegal service, what are the legitimate offerings favoured by the rest of us and where can you find the best value for digital entertainment subscriptions? Host: Katie Byrne | Gu...

For most parents, securing their child’s future isn’t just emotional, it’s financial. From childcare and education to saving, investing and long-term planning, the decisions made when they’re small can shape the opportunities open to them decades down the line. But with rising living costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, how do you balance providing for today with preparing for tomorrow? Which f...

Have you been noticing price hikes at the petrol pump? Or perhaps you’re second guessing your travel plans? No matter what your lifestyle is, it seems likely that the ongoing conflict in Iran will impact your household budget. ­ In this episode of Money Talks , Katie Byrne chats with Saoirse Hanley about the many ways – some obvious, others surprising – that events in the Middle East will have a f...

A lot of people dream of packing in their corporate job and starting an off-the-grid business adventure, but Rosanna Irwin actually did it, trading in an ultra-demanding tech gig for Samsú, a cabin-based digital detox space in the heart of Irish nature. On this episode of Money Talks, Ms Irwin explains how burnout led to her carving out her own path, how she managed to bootstrap the project, and w...

When Andrew Lynch moved back to Ireland after a number of years living abroad, coming home and buying a home should have been relatively straightforward. Instead, he found himself among those whose personal circumstances mean they have little hope of buying a home in Ireland today. So began Homely, a company geared towards people who find themselves locked out of buying. Host: Katie Byrne | Guest:...

Have you ever needed to track down a long-lost relative for inheritance purposes? If you have, you’ll know that it’s not the easiest job in the world. Thankfully, for people like you, it’s one that Maeve Mullin, Director of Finders International Ireland, has mastered. In this episode of Money Talks, Katie Byrne chats with Mullin about her unusual line of work and asks: how does one become an heir...

With people embarking on major life events that little bit later, the idea of taking out a mortgage in your 40s is becoming increasingly common. In fact, Martina Hennessy of Doddl.ie has worked with clients who are a decade older than that. But what are the potential pitfalls, long-term implications and difficulties involved in securing a mortgage in your 40s and beyond? ­ Host: Katie Byrne | Gues...

Liz Dwyer is a familiar face to those interested in Ireland’s aesthetic economy, and hers is also a face that’s no stranger to a needle, a nip or tweakment.  It’s all in pursuit of knowledge for the Future Beauty Show, an annual event co-founded by Dwyer and her sister Nikki. Their goal? To educate Irish consumers on the cost and effectiveness of treatments offered by Ireland’s ever-growing cosmet...

Today, Kel Galavan is a popular money coach and author, but 10 years ago, her financial situation was far from perfect. Having climbed out of negative equity and saved over €27,000 during a no-spend year, Ms Galavan is living proof we can overcome even the most trying financial situations. She also knows a thing or two about investing and the rookie mistakes that beginner investors tend to make. B...

Interest rates in Irish legacy banks aren't particularly enticing for savers, so are there other avenues that will get you more bang for your buck? Dan Malone is a regular contributor to Indo Money, a qualified financial adviser and accountant and he has just launched Honest.ie. He’s here to tell us how and why we need to pay attention to financial literacy. His goal is to offer unbiased advice on...

We’re into the January crunch now, and chances are you’re counting the days, hours and minutes until payday. It’s a familiar problem, but does it always have to be like this? When it comes to hard times, Ann-Marie Gaynor walked the walk before she talked the talk. You may recognise her by her online “Irish Budgeting Mammy” handle, where she teaches others how to take control of their finances. On...