Money Talks

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...

We often hear that switching to a different service provider can save you hundreds, if not thousands. And yet, many people are reluctant to make the move. Is it the effort? The research required? The mere thought of it? Or are we just stubbornly set in our ways? On this episode of Money Talks , we look at how to go about making the big switch.  ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Guests: Charlie Weston and...

As the new year gets underway, how do we get our heads together and manage our money, particularly if we find ourselves in a state of difficult debt? Not to mention all the natural anxieties that accompany it. On this episode, we look at one person’s tricky experience with debt and examine how it speaks to universal issues, learning curves and the argument that if you can’t afford to buy it twice,...

It’s that time of year again, in that it’s time for a brand-new year and all the guaranteed positive life changes that will definitely come with it. Even if you don’t believe in the concept of calendar-bound resolutions, it’s human nature to try and get our house in order. So, what does that mean for your bank balance? When is the best time to start properly looking at your finances? And are fewer...

Merry Xmas Everybody, Fairytale of New York , and of course Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You - genuinely iconic Christmas songs, all, but how much cash do they rake in, who gets the money and why have we not had any newly profitable festive smashes in recent years? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: John Meagher The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute in...

Congratulations, you've won the Lotto. Now, what exactly do you do next? One of the most important things a new winner will do is sit down and speak with a financial planner to guide them through the process – after all, the life they knew is forever changed. One such planner is Eoin McGee, founder of Prosperous Financial Services, who visits the Money Talks studio this week to pull back the curta...

’Tis the season for giving, goodwill and some gruelling financial headaches that can lead to heated arguments. There is rarely a good time for a row, but surely we all want Christmas to be full of joy and free of stress. So what are the biggest money-related fights of the festive season? And how can you avoid them altogether? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Maxine Walsh The content of this podcast is for...

Fly In, Fly Out – or ‘FIFO’ for short – is all about taking up temporary employment in a remote location where the demands are extremely intense, but the rewards are hugely lucrative. It’s not for everyone and valid questions have been raised about safety. For Irishman occasionally abroad Cal McIlwaine, FIFO has become a way of life. On this episode of Money Talks , he breaks down his FIFO journey...

SundayWorld.com is getting a new look by rebranding to CrimeWorld.com - your inside track on Ireland’s criminal underworld. To mark the occasion, acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Nicola Tallant visits the Money Talks studio to talk through her relationship with money while also shining the spotlight on the high-wire finances of crime – from lavish spends to deep regrets to incredible danger. H...

Do you consider yourself wealthy or affluent? Do you know the differences between the two? Does it all come down to human nature? On this episode of Money Talks , host Katie Byrne is joined by Irish Independent personal finance columnist Sinéad Ryan to examine the financial divide between the people who look like they have it and those who actually do. ­ Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Sinéad Ryan ­ The...

Child benefit is one of Ireland’s few universal payments, but how you use that €140 a month could change your child’s future. Financial expert Sinead Ryan joins Katie Byrne to break down the smartest approaches to saving or investing it, from deposit accounts to managed funds and compound growth. Whether you’re starting on day one or your child’s already in secondary school, it’s not too late to b...

Warned at a young age that the art world was unlikely to yield much fortune, Helen Steele nonetheless committed to her dream and adopted a fearless approach that led to success and acclaim. On this episode of Money Talks , she paints a picture of a most vivid life; from dazzling career highs to personal and professional lows, including her struggles with ADHD and marriage separation. ­ Host: Katie...