Shows
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastTake 5%, not 4% from my ARF - with Bill Bengen (creator of the 4% rule!)Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, where we bring you expert insights for Irish investors and retirees. Today, we have a rip-roaring guest joining us - Bill Bengen, the financial planner who literally wrote the book on retirement withdrawals. Back in 1994, Bill's groundbreaking research established what became known worldwide as the "4% rule". This was the cornerstone of retirement planning, that suggests you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually without running out of money. But here's where it gets interesting for our Irish listeners: Bill has been revisiting his own work, and his latest...
2025-08-1138 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastSection 73 Investment Plans - Bear With Me. Podcast#303For those looking to pass on wealth while trying to simultaneously reduce tax on the proceeds, Section 73 investment plans offer a potential solution. These plans are specifically designed and sold to try manage Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) liabilities on gifts, and to provide a potentially tax-efficient way to transfer assets to loved-ones. But do they work? Lets explore! What are they How do they work What do they 'cost' What the commissions are like Specific scenario testing I hope it helps. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA
2024-08-1227 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastThe A to Z Of Financial Service Acronyms (TATZOFSA!) - Podcast 197Hey! Financial Service firms love their acronyms, as in they love them! Maybe it's an insecurity thing, or maybe it's an attempt to hold onto some semblance of power. To help you develop the knowledge and to prepare you for a conversation with even the worst acronym offenders (AO!), I'm covering each of the main investment and financial acronyms related to financial services in Ireland. Plus, I'll offer a one-liner on each as to what it really is and why it matters! Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA Informed Decisions
2020-10-1926 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastOpportunity Cost & a conversation with my wife - Podcast 193In this episode we share: - Why I get stick about our cars - What Opportunity Cost is & why it matters - How to go after what is really important to you & stop wasting money on the unimportant I hope it is helpful. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA Paddy Delaney Informed Decisions
2020-09-1419 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastManaged Funds don't beat Index Funds, most of the time! Podcast 191Actively Managed Funds under-perform Passive Index Funds in the majority of cases. Managed funds usually exist in order to beat the market. They generally don't succeed. This is not an opinion or a prediction, it is a fact which you will see full evidence of in a moment. I will start however by reminding you of another fact. Your behaviour as an investor will have potentially far more of an impact on your investment success than whether you are invested in actively managed funds or passive. By 'behaviour' I mean whether you stick to the strategy or...
2020-08-3114 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastStandard Fund Threshold in Ireland - Podcast 189What is the Standard Fund Threshold in Ireland? This week, in what is a short 4 day work week, we share a short 4 minute read that will give you most of what you might need to know about the Standard Fund Threshold, for now! You'll learn the history, the current threshold, the REAL threshold, and a little-known nugget that can help you squeeze the max value and tax efficiency out of your pension pot. I hope it helps. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2020-08-0316 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastCertainty or Returns - Pick One. Podcast 188This week we share an investing concept that applies to investments and pensions equally. If I successfully and coherently share here what is in my head, it will hopefully help remove stress for investors as they begin, continue or end their investment journey. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2020-07-2717 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastWill 2020 Be The Best Year Ever For Irish Investors?! Podcast 186Will 2020 Be The Best Year Ever For Irish Investors? We take a look at some of the headline facts of recent performance, to shed some light. We also share a few concise truths that Irish investors (as distinct from speculators) might benefit from being reminded of. Hope it helps. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2020-07-1314 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastRetirement Remix with CEO & Author, Chip Munn - Podcast 185When Chip offered to appear on the Informed Decisions podcast we jumped at the chance to speak with him. Chip Munn is a senior financial advisor and CEO of Signature Wealth Strategies in South Carolina in the US. He is the author of The Retirement Remix: A Modern Solution to an Old School Problem, and host of The Retirement Remix and Maximum Advisor podcasts. Chip shares his ideas on: - building successful businesses - retiring with purpose, and on your terms - the role of financial planning in our live...
2020-07-0652 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast5 Occasions To Ignore Your Financial Advisor - Podcast 182This week I share with you 5 instances where you should seriously question the advice you get from your financial advisor, and some questions to ask to help explore the suggestions! Now, if you've got a good one whom you trust, your Financial Advisor can be the difference between you having a successful financial life, and not. But if your advisor gives you a bum steer that you act on, the impact of that could be significant on your long term financial success. Paddy Delaney Informed Decisions
2020-06-1521 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastHow Will You Spend Your Money - Podcast 181Dr. Thomas Gilovic has conducted several studies, some spanning decades, which measured the level of satisfaction and joy that people get from experiences versus material purchases. Here is a link to one particular study he was involved in, the insight of which is really quite fascinating. There appears to be three core reasons that experiential purchases give us more long term satisfaction. Hopefully you get some value from this week's episode. Enjoy! Paddy Delaney.
2020-06-0824 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastWhat Happens My Pension When I, You Know?! Podcast 180 What happens my pension when I, you know!? I'm never one to shirk the hard questions, but it seems crass to talk of 'you know' while all of 'this' is going on! If you are any of the following, you really ought to know about this: A director of your own company with pension benefits An employee and an active member of the 'Company Pension Scheme' A former employee of a company, with benefits still in your old employer's 'Company Pension scheme' "Life is like playing the v...
2020-05-2515 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastThe Dr. Moira Somers Interview - Psychology & Money - Podcast 179In this weeks' Podcast you will hear from someone with some unique insights on the topics we discuss week in and week out. Dr. Moira Somers from Canada is someone I have admired and benefited from learning from in recent years. In our conversation, Moira shares some ideas around: - Why money decisions can be very difficult for many of us - What we can do to make it a little easier - When to seek financial guidance, and how to find one that will help you most - M...
2020-05-1840 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPension Property, with Tommy Nielsen - Podcast 177This week, as promised in our recent Pros & Cons of Pension Property, we share with you further details of owning a Property within a Pension. We were delighted to have Tommy Neilsen, qualified Solicitor and 'Head of Legal' with Independent Trustee Company (ITC) Dublin. Tommy has been with ITC since 2005, and deals with all legal aspects relating to the Pension Trustee services they provide. In this episode you will hear: - Legal considerations around Pension Property - How the structure actually works - How safe it is or isn't
2020-05-0550 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastThe Paul Kenny Conversation - Podcast 175Paddy chats with Ireland's former Pensions Ombudsman, Paul Kenny. Paul remains an active member of the pension profession in Ireland. Among other roles he is remains a Programme Leader in the Retirement Planning Council. In this episode he shares his insights about the following relevant topics: - Keeping track of your pensions when you move employments - Ensuring your ARF gets treated as per your wishes - Impact of ARF values on your eligibility to allowances We hope it is of value, and please do spread the word with anyone you...
2020-04-2053 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastThe Dawn or Dusk of The Independent Financial Advisor in Ireland? Podcast 173 1st April 2020 will bring with it the dawn, or the dusk of 'Independent Financial Advice' in Ireland. I really have no clue which way it will go! At least initially, finding an actual living, breathing and practicing 'Independent Financial Advisor' in Ireland may be like the proverbial hen's tooth. (Wouldn't that be a novel name for a Financial Advice firm - 'Hen's Tooth Independent Financial Advisors'!). I hope it helps in some small way. Paddy Delaney Informed Decisions
2020-03-3024 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastAre Equities For The Scrap Heap!? Podcast 172'Are Equities For The Scrap Heap'? I feel compelled to nail our colours to the mast at the outset. I am always open, and deliberately expose myself to contrary thinking, the fact remains that Equity investing has delivered the greatest outcomes for patient and long term investors. That fact will have come into question in people's minds in recent weeks, so I'm going to share with you in this short piece exactly where Equities are right now - and encourage you to decide for yourself. Paddy Delaney
2020-03-2321 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastWhat To Do With My Investments and Pensions In A Declining Market? Podcast 171What to do with my investments and Pensions in a declining Market? Absolutely Nothing. That is all. Listen-on for a 'slight' elaboration! I hope you are keeping well - that must remain a priority. Paddy Delaney
2020-03-1620 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastDavy GPS Funds - An Independent Review - Podcast 170This week, following a recent conversation (there I go with 'conversations' again!), we share a detailed analysis of the Davy GPS Funds. You may be thinking of investing, or are already invested, via pensions or investments. Either way, we share insights on what are they, what's in them, how they compare to their competitors, and how they have served investors that have entrusted their funds in them. I hope it helps. Paddy Delaney Warning....The value of your investments will rise and fall. You could get back less than yo...
2020-03-0935 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastRetire Successfully, with Derek Bell - Podcast 169Welcome back to Ireland's award-winning Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. This week we were excited to chat with return-guest, Derek Bell of the Retirement Planning Council (RPC). In this episode Derek and Paddy explore and share insights on: - State Pension changes - Income Tax in retirement - RPC courses & supports - Common retirement planning mistakes - Retirement spending Do's & Don'ts - Retaining control of your Time in retirement And more! We hope it helps. Paddy Delaney
2020-03-0256 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastAre Irish Commercial Property Funds In Trouble? Podcast 166This week there have been two 'big news' revelations about Irish Commercial Property Funds, neither of which will be deemed positive. This media coverage has many thousands of investors very concerned and dare I say, anxious. In a break from tradition, I am engaging in current market events, in the interest of helping ease some anxiety for investors. This week we share some ideas and experience which might be useful for anyone who has concerns about their investments in Irish Commercial Property Funds, whether through your pension or investments. I hope it helps. Oh, so...
2020-02-0225 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastFinancial Independence with Mrs. Smart Money - Podcast 165Many of us hear about Financial Independence, and it being a distant objective. But does it have to be a distant objective?? This week we chat with Kelvina Galavan (Mrs. Smart Money) about her journey, and how she, her husband and kids have begun living on their own terms. They took control of their finances, and are reaping the rewards! I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did! Mrs. Smart Money website Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2020-01-2542 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastDemise of Absolute Return Funds in Ireland - Podcast 163A lot of folk, mostly at the encouragement of some advisors, decided to invest in Absolute Return Funds in Ireland. While they promised a lot, many of those same people are now questioning the decision to do so. This week, on Ireland's #1 Finance Blog & Podcast I hope to help you understand what they are, why their performance have been pretty rubbish, and whether they are worth staying in or not! This is an un-biased(ish) review of absolute return funds in Ireland. I hope it helps. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2020-01-1319 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 162: Markets at My BirthWelcome to Ireland's award-winning investment and financial planning Blog & Podcast. As our final Blog of 2019 I have given a lot of thought about what message I would love to share. I have imagined that this was the last ever thing we write, and reflected on what we'd want to share. By the way, unless I unexpectedly die over the holidays it won't be the last ever piece - which you may or may not see as a positive! Paddy Delaney
2019-12-1620 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastInvest In Equities or Wait For 'The Crash'? Podcast 161Welcome to Ireland's award-winning investment and financial planning Blog & Podcast. If you are wondering if now is the right time to invest or not, this piece might be of some value. Indeed if you are unsure if you should invest in equities now, or wait for the crash, this Blog-post hopefully will help educate and inform, a little! Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2019-12-0922 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 160: Emerging Market Index Funds IrelandEmerging Markets might sound a little technical, but please do bare with me, even I can understand it, so you'll be totally fine! It might even be worth your while reading on, if you ever intend investing in Emerging Market Index Funds in Ireland! We explore the past investment returns, what the 'experts' are suggesting they might deliver in the future, and what to watch out for when picking the index funds you desire. Paddy Delaney QFA RPA APA
2019-11-2521 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 158: Building an Investment Portfolio in IrelandThis week I aim to share some brief insights that might be worth knowing when you are building an investment portfolio in Ireland. When it comes to investing it's probably fair to say that there is so much choice, probably too much! Reminds me of that weird situation referred to as the 'paradox of choice' where, when confronted with too much choice we can stall, suffer from inaction and often make choices that are far from the ones that really wanted! Barry Schwartz's TED Talk is here, worth a watch! That same paradox seemingly happens t...
2019-11-1126 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 156: The Best Multi-Asset Investment Funds in Ireland Ever wondered which is the best multi-asset investment Fund in Ireland?? Well if you have, you came to the right place! Welcome back to Ireland's dedicated Investment and Financial Planning Blog & Podcast! In my work with clients I frequently get asked about Multi-Asset Investments, whether they are any good, and which ones might be best. So this week I aim to answer a question that I think has yet to be answered in these parts; which is the best Multi-Asset Investment Fund in Ireland! Owning any investment is kinda...
2019-10-1525 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast152: What is Financial Planning, Really??When it comes to Financial Planning in Ireland it is fair to say that it is a pretty new service to many. It seems many of us are aware of the role of traditional Brokers and Insurance Agents, but perhaps not the same level of awareness or understanding of Financial Planning. In this short piece I hope to convey what Financial Planning is and how it can potentially be of significant value to people. Paddy Delaney
2019-09-1627 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast150: Using Annuity and ARF for Pension IncomeWelcome back to Ireland's award-winning Financial Planning Blog & Podcast, with me Paddy Delaney. Delighted you have decided to join me! This week we are going to explore an approach to retirement income planning that I mentioned months ago. It is customary for retirees in Ireland to decide to generate pension income by using either an annuity, or an ARF. In Blog113 we explored the pros and cons of both of these in isolation. However, as we like to look at things a little differently here we're going to dissect the merit or otherwise of using a combination of the...
2019-09-0222 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast148: Effective Retirement Income StrategiesWelcome to Ireland's #1 Personal Finance Blog and Podcast, with me Paddy Delaney! This week we explore an important topic for many, and that is managing our income when we leave full-time employment. When we enter 'Life 2' we are switching from accumulation to spending, which is a big shift for many people to take. I hope this piece offers some insights that will help you. In this article I aim to answer the following questions that I frequently hear in working with clients who are in this stage, and for many are a cause of concern, until...
2019-08-1926 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast147: How Early Can I Retire?Welcome back to the #1 Investment and Retirement Planning Blog & Podcast in Ireland. Of late our focus has been very much around preparing our finances in advance of, and indeed after we leave full-time employment. Some people call it retirement, other people don't like that term (hear Fin's interview here!). This week, as promised we will explore that big question for many, When can I retire? A few readers got in touch after Blog 118, where we looked at maximising the income you achieve from an ARF. They were asking why not just retire earlier? So here we go!
2019-08-1224 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast146: Financial Independence with Fin GouldingThe concept of Financial Independence Retire Early means different things to different people. Friend of the show, Fin Goulding has no shortage of experience when it comes to the investment and insurance industry, and joins us on the show to share his own take on FIRE, and how people can achieve Financial Independence. Be sure to stay till the end where Fin shares his take on how to manage and achieve long term investment success. Paddy Delaney Fin's Twitter
2019-07-2949 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast144: The Abraham Okusanya InterviewWelcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, Ireland's #1 Finance Blog & Podcast. As we continue out focus on managing and optimising pension and retirement income in Ireland we are delighted to bring you one of the leading lights in the academic research of this topic, Abraham Okusanya. As the creator of Finalytiq in the UK, author of 'Beyond the 4% Rule', and host of the 'Science Of Retirement' Conference there is not much that he does not know about delivering results for customers in their investing and retirement planning. Sit back and enjoy! Paddy Delaney P...
2019-07-1352 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast143: How Long Will My ARF Last?How long will my ARF Income last? This week we continue our analysis of how we can actually go about drawing and maximising our pension and ARF incomes when we reach the age where we start to 'spend' instead of 'accumulate' our money. For me at least this is the fun bit for us. We don't have pensions because we want a pension, we have pensions because we want what it can potentially give us. Ultimately what it will hopefully give each and every one of us is financial independence and choice when we get to that...
2019-07-0818 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast142: Investing in Bonds in Retirement?Investing in Bonds, particularly in retirement (or once we stop working full time!) is the norm. If you are a member of an Occupational Pension scheme or you have a mass-market pension fund you are more than likely signed-up to LifeStyling on your scheme. We covered it in Blog 53. What LifeStyling will do is move a large chunk of your pension or investment portfolio from Equities and into Bonds as you approach your 'normal retirement age'. Can be a good thing, can be a not-so-good-thing. This week I aim to share a short piece outlining the key...
2019-06-2418 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast141: What You Should Know About ARFsWelcome, and thanks for checking out Informed Decisions Blog. Over the past couple of weeks we have focused on managing finances in later life. Last week we explored the 2 options many of us have when we get to draw our retirement funds, Annuity or ARF. Seeing as it currently accounts for the majority of retirement income strategies it will form a large part of coming weeks. We will be exploring how one can attempt to maximise the income one gets from an ARF. Make sure you stay till the end because we will also be exploring how...
2019-06-1623 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast140: Generating Income In Retirement, Annuity or ARF?Should I buy an Annuity or Approved Retirement Fund (ARF)? Unless we are retiring from a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme we will have this decision to make in regards how to access our pension benefits. Once we take out tax free lump sum we will have this decision to make with the balance. It is a big decision with multiple complexities involved, both financial and emotional. Do I want the predictable route or do I want the less predictable but potentially more lucrative route? Do I want the peace of mind knowing that I'll get €x ev...
2019-06-1024 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast139: A Life Changing Sum Of MoneyWelcome back to Informed Decisions with me, Paddy Delaney! A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the coming 'season' would be focused on how to prepare for and importantly, navigate our incomes in retirement. It's not that I am breaking a promise but this week I want to take a very slight diversion from that, for two very valid reasons a) an article I wrote was published int he Sunday Times this week, and b) I didn't allow myself sufficient time this week to complete the next piece as fully as I had hoped.....so you'll...
2019-06-0314 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast128: Retirement Relief in Ireland (The Outhouse Version)Welcome back! 'Relief' is an interesting word. If we were to tell someone that we are going to 'relieve myself' it can strike up all sorts of suggestions! Apparently it comes from the Latin 'relevare' which meant 'to alleviate'. In this instance Retirement Relief is all about 'relevare', and to 'relevare' oneself from a burdensome Capital Gains Tax bill! Retirement Relief is a nugget that is quite often missed as a really lucrative opportunity to reduce one's tax bill, particularly if one is a director, or owns a business or company. Can I claim retirement...
2019-03-1117 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastEpisode127: What If My Pension Fund Doesn't Perform?Hope all is well?! Last week we shared some ideas on the best way to accumulate €1m, and whether a deposit regular savings account or a pension route might be the most effective way of doing it. We analysed these two routes and factored in deposit rates, pension fund returns, fees and charges and various tax rates that apply to both and how they will impact on the end result. As always, it pays to begin with the end in mind! This week I hope to share ideas on how to select a suitable investment fund, how to avoid co...
2019-03-0423 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 124: What Should I Do With An Inheritance?'What should I do with an inheritance' and 'How should I invest an inheritance' are questions we might never hope to need to consider but many are forced to consider these every year here in Ireland. This week in Ireland's award-winning and unbiased personal finance blog I hope share some insights which might be of value to anyone that does every find themselves faced with this question. The reason I guess that this is a relevant topic here is because I have seen several cases where people inherit money, then act irrationally or in ways that is...
2019-02-1127 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast121: The Transparency Task Force with Andy AgathangelouHi and welcome to Ireland's dedicated Financial Planning and Personal Finance Podcast. We are on a mission to share ideas and unbiased insights that might help you make beneficial decisions. Speaking of mission we are joined this week by non-other than Andy Agathangelou who founded the Transparency Task Force and which is on a mission to have a positive and lasting difference on financial services and on those that it exists to serve. I was so taken by Andy and the band of volunteers that have joined him that I have accepted the invitation to...
2019-01-2147 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast120: Should I Invest Now Or Wait For A Crash?Hey there and welcome back to Ireland's #1 personal finance blog. This week we are exploring what is quite a common challenge for people, the decisions about investing a lump sum now or waiting for markets to fall or crash. Funnily this is not usually a challenge for would-be investors when markets are calm and rising. It more often becomes a challenge when market volatility hits, or when media is claiming that the market it 'over-priced' or at an 'all-time high'. The Impact Of Time In considering this it obviously makes sense to consider what the...
2019-01-1417 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast118: A UK Perspective.....with Rory PercivalWelcome back to Ireland's award-winning & independent Financial Planning blog and podcast. We are on a mission to share ideas and educate people to avoid mistakes and make decisions that will benefit them in the future. Drop me an email here with any of your ideas or feedback on making the site/podcast better, would love to hear from you. For a while now I have been really keen to get a 'non-advisor' to tell us what has changed in recent years in the UK in the financial advice arena, and how that has impacted consumers like you...
2018-12-1643 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast117: A Wolf In Sheep-Clothing.....You've Been Warned!Welcome back to Ireland's independent & award winning Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. We don't claim to be perfect but we have been creating and sharing ideas here on the podcast for the past 2 years and are on a mission to help people of Ireland (& beyond!) to make decisions which benefit them in the long-run. All we ask is that if you like what we are doing that you'd tell a friend or loved-one about us and see if it can be of any use to them! Speaking of long-run we are hugely grateful for your ongoing support, readership...
2018-12-1015 minInformed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast117: A Wolf In Sheep-Clothing.....You've Been Warned!Welcome back to Ireland's independent & award winning Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. We don't claim to be perfect but we have been creating and sharing ideas here on the podcast for the past 2 years and are on a mission to help people of Ireland (& beyond!) to make decisions which benefit them in the long-run. All we ask is that if you like what we are doing that you'd tell a friend or loved-one about us and see if it can be of any use to them! Speaking of long-run we are hugely grateful for your ongoing support, readership...
2018-12-1015 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast116: Is Entrepreneur Relief Any Use?Welcome back to Ireland's award winning & independent financial planning blog & podcast, where we are on a mission to share ideas and information that hopefully helps you make decisions that delivers long term results for you. Thanks for the lovely reaction to last weeks' episode, I certainly enjoyed sharing the story! This weeks' topic is kinda closely related to the oul' lizard-brain and relates to entrepreneurship! We are not tax experts but it has been asked of us a few times recently so this week we will share a wee bit of info about how 'entrepreneurs' can stand...
2018-12-0319 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast115: Congregation 2018 - Beware The Lizard BrainWelcome back to Ireland's award-winning Finance Blog where we are on a mission to share ideas that will have a lasting and positive impact for you. This week were are sharing something a little different, and hope that it hits the mark, that it perhaps gets you thinking and perhaps even encourages you to do something you want to do! It is bigger than personal finance or financial planning, this is about you and your life! In November each year, for the past 6 years anyway, there has been an 'unconference' called Congregation happening in the small and...
2018-11-2614 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast114: Should I Join My Employers Company Pension Scheme?It was in conversation with a friend recently, who has just started working for a new company, that I was asked if I believed it makes any sense to join a pension scheme offered by an employer. He was told that if he put 4% of gross salary into his pension that the employer would put 6% in, totaling 10% of his gross salary. This seems like a reasonable offer from the employer in this Defined Contribution scheme however he had concerns which he shared with me! Having done a little of his own research he had concerns about the...
2018-11-1928 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast113: Managing Sequence Risk...(Trying To!)BlackRock Investment Managers conduct an annual piece of research (in the US) of around 30,000 individuals and get their sentiment and preparation for retirement. Obviously it is heavily slanted to the financial. One of the surprising things, for me at least, was that the #1 concern for the majority of respondents was not health or social interactions or purpose, it was 'running out of money'. I guess running out of money in retirement does bring up all sorts of miserable and unfortunate images in our minds, and that is probably enough of a motivation for us to want to...
2018-11-1222 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast112: Sequence Risk....The Silent Retirement-Income KillerWe are not talking about death here today, but we will be looking at a thing called Sequence Risk which in my book is one of the most unknown and under-rated influences on your income in retirement. I would go so far as to say that it can have much more of an influence on your retirement lifestyle than the amount that you actually have at the beginning of your graduation out of full-time employment. Plain and simple this is one of the biggest factors affecting people's incomes in retirement. Essentially this is the very real risk...
2018-11-0322 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast111: The Derek Bell Interview - How To Retire Well!Welcome to Ireland's only dedicated and straight-talking Personal Finance & Financial Planning Podcast. Delighted you have decided to have a look at this weeks' episode. Firstly, want to say a heart-felt thank you to all listeners of the Podcast and readers of the Blog for their encouragement and feedback over the past 2 years, we picked up the title of 'Ireland's Best Finance Blog' at the Irish Blog Awards last week in Dublin, totally surprised to win it for the 2nd year in a row, particularly against such top-drawer blogs as the Zurich, Bank Of Ireland, Taxback.com to name just...
2018-10-2941 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast110: How To Procrastinate Later.........'I'm not a procrastinator, I just prefer doing everything in a dead-line induced panic!'......Honest words shared with me by an acquaintance recently. And to be fair it totally struck a chord with me, as a former repeat procrastinator it sounded so accurate a description of the logic a procrastinator uses to rationalise their behaviour (or lack thereof). It is only when the pressure is on, the procrastinator will them him or herself, that I am at my best....so there really is no point in that particular item until such time as it is time-sensitive or urgent...
2018-10-2219 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast109: The Real Impact Of Budget 2019 (Budgety McBudget-Face)In 2016 The Natural Environment Research Council in the UK invited the public to name their latest scientific research vessel, which was costing £200m. This vessel was going to be doing (and currently is doing) really insightful and exploratory work, making new discoveries and so on. Really important, noble and global research for the good of the natural world. In the initial stages the likely suggested winner was names such as 'Endeavour' and 'Poseidon' etc. Which made sense. However you can imagine the consternation internally when the public unanimously got behind a viral idea of calling it something rather ridiculous, ye...
2018-10-1520 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 108: When Investing 'Risk Questionnaires' Are DangerousIf you have ever invested money in a fund or collective fund with a 3rd party, either through a pension or through an investment structure (product or platform) you will most likely have already completed a 'Risk Questionnaire' or 'Risk Survey'. It may have formed part of the bigger conversation about your investment goals, or it may have been the sole basis on which you made your investment decision. If it was the latter than there may be cause for some concern. Welcome to Ireland's only dedicated and straight-talking Personal Finance Blog & Podcast, and thanks for reading...
2018-10-0821 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast107: The State Pension....Are You Swimming In The Nip!?Are you swimming in the nip dear reader? This week we share some ideas with you about a what the State Pension looks like currently, how much we might get, how we go about qualifying for it, and how the level of income we have from 'guaranteed sources' when we do retire determines how we can access other retirement funds we have set for ourselves.......so a nice simple one!! Welcome to Ireland's only dedicated and straight-talking Financial Planning and Personal Finance Blog & Podcast. We are on a mission to share insights and to help...
2018-10-0121 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast105: A Huge Tax Saving On Investments - A Tale Of 2 CitiesCharles Dickens' novel about Dr. Manette, his 18 year incarceration in Paris and subsequent relocation to London to spend time with his daughter Lucie, and all the messing that apparently ensued is meant to be quite a read. I haven't managed it myself but am reliably informed that I should. Some day I will, as soon as I have read every investment and retirement planning book in existence! A Tale of 2 Cities was set against the back-drop of the run-up to the French Revolution and one could potentially say that there may be a revolution ahead in terms of investing...
2018-09-1618 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast104: An American Perspective....With Eric BrotmanWelcome to Ireland's only dedicated and straight-talking Personal Finance & Financial Planning Blog. We are on a mission to make a positive difference and to help people take control of their finances in a meaningful way. If you have a suggestion, question or feedback for us please do drop me a mail here, love to hear from readers. This week we are joined in conversation with Eric Brotman from US-advisory form Brotman Financial. Eric shares with us many ideas and helps answer many questions including: How best to prepare for 'graduating into retirement'? What i...
2018-09-1047 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 102: The 4% Rule Of Pension Pot Draw-Down In IrelandThis week we are taking a closer look at the fabled '4% Rule' relating to drawing-down on investment or retirement pots. This particular 'rule' gets plenty of airtime in the US, UK and many other countries but from my own experience very few investors, pension holders here in Ireland seem to have heard of (and indeed even many advisors!). Let's try fix that! We are not going to challenge this 4% Rule today, merely we'll determine what it is, how it is relevant and how to go about figuring out what it might suggest for you. Welcome back...
2018-08-2724 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast 101: Using Trusts In Estate Planning & Financial PlanningWe have recently been asked to share ideas on how an individual (or couple) can ensure their investments/estate/assets are properly distributed and managed once they die. It is an area that is of real value and interest to both the people who may be 'receiving' and indeed obviously to the people that are 'giving' it! While Trusts are an area that we have touched-on in previous episodes we would not claim to be legal experts on the matter. For that reason we have invited Pauric Druhan, a qualified solicitor and trust expert from Pearse Trust...
2018-08-1618 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast98: Retiring In Ireland With €1mAs a young boy growing up many years ago a million euros (or pounds as it was!) always sounded like an inexorably large amount of money. If you had €1m you were officially a millionaire and were in our eyes elevated to a stratospheric status.......The same can't be said anymore though! While it no doubt is still a significant amount of money by anyone's standards the sheen of being a millionaire has dampened thanks to inflation mostly! Nevertheless we are are today going to explore how and if €1m in an Irish Pension is enough, and specifically explore if it...
2018-07-3027 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast97: The Mexican Fisherman........Welcome to Ireland's only dedicated Financial Planning & Personal Finance Blog & Podcast. Last year we won the award of 'Ireland's Best Finance Blog'......we have re-entered that same competition again this year, and will hear how we get on over the coming couple of months.....this might just be akin to the 'difficult second album'!! As we approach our 100th Podcast we have really tried to focus on the areas that our readers and listeners get in touch with us about and who come to us for help on an individual basis.....we are on a mission to help people...
2018-07-2310 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast96: Planning for company directors in Ireland....Party-Time!Welcome back to Ireland's award winning Finance Blog & Podcast. Delighted you have joined us! Our mission is to help people avoid mistakes and help themselves to live successful financial lives. Our big aim is to ultimately change how financial advice is done here in Ireland, to put the focus back on what you want to achieve, not the products that only really serve as the tools to enable you to do it! This week we are exploring a much-covered topic. It has not been much-covered by us but if you google 'Director's Pensions Ireland' you will see 3.9...
2018-07-1621 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast94: Growth & Value Investing In IrelandGrowth and Value Investing are both around a long time as an 'investment strategy', and there are compelling rationale for investing in either, there are many fans of both, yet there is also quite a lot of regular investors that have no real familiarity with either. We aim to fix that even if ever-so-slightly in this episode. We will endeavor to explain a few key things about this 'earth-moving' topic......! 1) What is Value Investing? 2) What is Growth Investing? 3) Who does either or both? 4) Which has given greatest level of return? (that's all anyone really...
2018-07-0219 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast93: The Bid That Could Change Your Life....!Nobody likes to be suffering from something that they aren't aware of, particularly if it is a nasty and invasive something that has a long term impact on their well-being, & that could do so in a pretty significant way.......so this week we are going to explore and try to diagnose if anyone here is suffering from a nasty dose of Bid-Offer Spread on their investment or pension planning. Welcome back to Ireland's dedicated Financial Planning & Money Podcast/Blog. We are on a mission to help you to achieve the things that are important to you, to...
2018-06-2515 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast92: Developing A Career In Financial Services.....With Hugh MurrayThanks for joining us here on Ireland's only dedicated Financial Planning Podcast & Blog. We are on a mission to help you get what you want, and to help you make decisions which will help you lead a successful financial life, and to avoid costly mistakes. This week we are joined by Hugh Murray, founder of Dolmen Recruitment in Dublin. Hugh has many years experience working with individuals and firms in Financial Services here in Ireland. He is well placed to share the latest trends and opportunities for people, be that Funds, Compliance, Sales, Accounts or Fintech!
2018-06-1631 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast91: The Emmet Savage InterviewWelcome to Ireland's dedicated investing and Financial Planning Podcast & Blog. We are on a mission to enable our listeners to help themselves to a better financial life. Thanks for checking us out! It is not every week we get to chat to one of the most successful investors of recent times, who has also founded a fintech firm (Rubicoin) that is changing how investors go about their investing! In this 45-minute interview we explore Emmet's own back-story, the origins and successes of Rubicoin, and he also shares his own top-tips on how to achieve successful...
2018-06-1152 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast88: My Worst Investment Ever....And What We Can Learn!This week in Ireland's dedicated Financial Planning & Personal Finance Blog & Podcast we take a look at what has been my worst investment ever, but also my greatest lesson as an investor. I am an open book, and happy to share this with you, in the hope it may help others avoid the same mistake! It revolves around a company share scheme that I was involved in 10 years ago, and a cheque which I received only last week for a grand sum of €0.26 (yes 26 cents!) which was what I got back, in total, having previously invested almost €10,000! Here's how it happ...
2018-05-2018 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast87: Just Start!This week we are trying to share a simple message, an appeal to you, one which we hope will help move things forward for you in a positive direction. When we procrastinate about or delay committing to positive action we will always manage to rationalise it in our own heads, always! We are masters at it! Some of us are more prone to this than others, personally it's one I regularly struggle with. No matter how blatant our delaying tactics are we will quickly come up with an excuse, a rationale as to why delaying it is...
2018-05-1307 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast86: Investing in Small Caps.....When Small is BIG!Welcome back to Informed Decisions, Ireland's only dedicated Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. Hope you are winning! When it comes to investing in Ireland there are many folks that have no interest in what they are investing in, provided it makes them a decent return and it doesn't disappear over-night! Others like to take a closer look at their options, to think about portfolios and what they should be doing. They might like to identify what will work for them as a suitable portfolio, to figure out if there is anything they could invest in that they had...
2018-05-0720 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastThe Pitfalls When Buying A HomeWe don't ever go out of our way to be pessimistic on this blog, in fact we tend to be quite the opposite, having a firm belief that optimism is the only valid way when it comes to investing. However, when it comes to borrowing, which as we all know is essentially the reverse of investing, it pays, quite literally, to be even a little pessimistic! If you are new to our website then you are truly welcome, thank you so much for giving us a chance to help create a positive financial future for you. We...
2018-04-3025 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast84: Should I Invest In Gold?"Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around and guard it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head" Those remarks about the logic of owning gold as an investment were made by someone far more experienced and accomplished in the world of investing than I, and who has been recognised over the past 4 or 5 decades as one of the single most successful investors of all time, Warren Buffett. We...
2018-04-2219 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast83: Peer to Peer Lending with Oli Cavanagh of FlenderWelcome back to Ireland's dedicated Financial Planning Podcast & Blog. We have had a lot of enquiries about Peer 2 Peer Lending over the past few months, so we thought what better way to find out the detail than to interview a man that has been involved in it for many years. Oli Cavanagh is co-founder of an Irish Fintech 'Fender' which is focused on growing the Peer2Peer marker in Ireland. We met with Oli to learn about P2P lending, how it works, what to watch-out for and to hear about the growth of their...
2018-04-1337 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast82: The Last Resort....Section 72In Blog 61 we mentioned Section 72 plans and said the following....These are creations of the Financial Services industry endorsed by the Revenue and are sold to people as a means to reduce or indeed eliminate a potential Inheritance or Gift Tax Bill down the road. They cost money and I am told are not as much fun nor rewarding as giving the money to loved-ones while you are alive! Having said that they can work very well for some people in building an effective Financial Plan and planning their inheritance in a tax effective manner, particularly if the estate...
2018-04-0820 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast80: Humans Under Management with Andy HartAndy Hart is one of the UK's highest profile Financial Planners. He hosts his own Podcast, runs a successful Financial Planning firm, and is the organiser of the what is rapidly becoming UK's premier Financial Advisor & Planner Conference (Humans Under Management). And to top it all off he has invited me to share some ideas at his upcoming Dublin Conference.....so I'm super excited about that......We chat with Andy Hart of UK Financial Planning firm Maven Advisers to discover what exactly Financial Planning is, how it benefits clients, and how he saves them from themselves! As...
2018-03-2248 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast75: Business Success Story #1.......Paddy O'Connell of Paddy O'sWelcome to Informed Decisions' very first 'Business Success Series'. Our main focus over the past 18 months has been Financial Planning and all aspects of Personal Finance. By all means have a look at our back-catalogue here. We have a huge interest here too in the success of others, and in business successes. For that reason we will bring you 5 or 6 Business Success stories over the course of 2018, to hear how they succeeded and the financials behind their success. This week we are joined by Paddy O'Connell of Paddy O's Granola, who have been growing from s...
2018-02-1741 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #66: Financial Well-Being with former Top Advisor Jason Butler...Welcome to another episode of Ireland's #1 Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. This week we have a cracking interview with UK's Jason Butler, where we discover some tips and guidance on achieving financial well-being, getting our lives the way we want them to be. Jason has super insight on this aspect of life, and is now living his message.......most of us will hopefully take a few nuggets from this interview (I'm not taking any credit there!). Be sure to check out our wee website, our why, and if you like the show then an...
2017-12-0851 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #63: Mortgage Free By 32!! The '2 Cup House' Interview with Claudia PenningtonThis week we are chuffed to share with you the story of the guys at '2 Cup House' in USA. They were living the life of modern trappings, and one day decided that they wanted a different route. It may not be for everyone but it is a great story that proves if you want to achieve something, and are willing to apply yourself if is often very achievable! As promised in the episode there are a few snaps below of what their home looks like, and here's a link to their Blog. H...
2017-11-0338 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #61: The Emma Kennedy Interview (Mortgages. Kids & Money. Pension Reforms!!)Welcome to our 61st edition of the informed Decisions Financial Planning Blog & Podcast. Did we mention we were recently voted Ireland's best?? Yes, we are Ireland's #1 Finance Blog & Podcast...! To celebrate our 61st Podcast we are joined by the one and only Emma Kennedy, journalist & up to recently Editor of Money section in Sunday Business Post. We get to explore Emma's thoughts and experience in regards lots of topics, Kids & Money, Mortgages, Pension Reforms and the make up of Financial Planning services in Ireland as of today. We do hope you enjoy this...
2017-10-3048 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastImpact of Fees On Investments, Pensions, Savings.It's Showtime! If you swim too close to a shark it'll bite ya! If you have decent savings, investments and pensions you could be in danger of getting bitten too! We're here to help you understand if you are in danger of getting bitten, it's up to you as to whether to stay in that water or not! We are realists here at Informed Decisions and so no matter what you get done; a tap fixed, a wall painted, a tooth pulled, a will administered, a house bought or indeed an investment invested you will...
2017-09-1020 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #52: The Investment Management Interview...with Will Sparks!Thanks for tuning in to this weeks' Episode, our 52nd, and Informed Decisions' 1 year anniversary!! We bring you something pretty special, interviewing one of Ireland's brightest talents in regards Investment Management, Will Sparks. Will tells it like it is, so it was a pleasure to have him on the show, and in addition to that he knows how to manage investments....who better to help identify some insights for our listeners! By all means please do visit our small website, and check out all our podcasts and blogs, and if you like what...
2017-08-3156 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastInformed Decisions Financial Planning PodcastHey all, in this 50th episode of the Informed Decisions Financial Planning Podcast we will aim to share insights on the very best mortgage that you can get here in Ireland; whether you are aiming for your first mortgage or have a collection of them we hope to share ideas which will save you a small fortune over your life-time. We also have a short guest appearance from Seamus & Conn (future Informed Decisioners!!).... All we ask in return is to help us spread the word, share the article with the little icons at the bottom, check out...
2017-08-2115 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastInformed Decisions Financial Planning Podcast #49We are joined by Professional Coach Niall English, to uncover exactly what coaching is, how it can be of benefit to us in achieving the things we want to achieve. We also take a look at how it might be useful if you find yourself in need of making some changes to your finances. Here at the home of unbiased financial planning in Ireland we like to bring some fresh ideas.....this is our latest! Plus, Niall shares some practical tools we can all use in order to make some real improvements in regards to...
2017-08-1448 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #47: The Dangers Of Trivial Pensions......And How To Avoid Them!When It Comes To Pension Planning We Will Get Our Just Deserts: Deserts is apparently the plural of 'desert' which is 'that which one deserves'....honestly I always assumed it was to do with the jelly & ice-cream type of desserts.....but had never given it much thought in fairness! The same is most certainly true of Pensions. It would be hard to put it any more simply than I am about to now; You will only get a lot out if you put a lot in. If you are haphazard about your approach to funding for retirement...
2017-07-3019 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #46: Why Most Financial Plans Are Absolute Faff!The noun Faff has been defined by the Oxford Dictionary as 'A great deal of ineffectual activity'.......most financial plans are absolute faff! So there, I said it! I said it, and the fact of the matter is that it is pretty true. Any plan worth it's salt with regards to pretty much anything will be mostly faff, in hindsight. Bear with me and we'll explain! (You can read the full blog here) We really want to thank Carl Richards for writing the book 'Behavior Gap' which I have re-read (again!) recently. This...
2017-07-2322 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #45: Investing in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)...The FactsHey, and welcome to another episode of Informed Decisions Financial Planning podcast here in Ireland. If you have ever asked yourself: What are ETFs?...... How Do I invest in ETFs?....... How Do ETFs actually work?..... Are ETFs Risky?..................Then this episode will hopefully give you some useful information. This time around we are taking a look under the bonnet of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in Ireland and determining how they may or may not be something you want to get behind the wheel of as part of...
2017-07-1623 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #43: Breaking The Banks...The Brett King InterviewNeedless to say it is a bit of a coup to have a Fintech Legend that has 9 million monthly listeners to his hit radio show 'Breaking Banks' in New York come on our show! An Australian based in New York, he has taken a circuitous route to being a Global thought-leader in the FinTech World. Paddy invited Brett to share his thoughts on the near future of how we will interact, invest and behave with our money. Ever thought about how our experiences will change when we venture even to our local shop? ...
2017-06-3047 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #41: Interview with Stephen Browne - CashFlow Forecasting ToolsWelcome to Episode #41 of the Informed Decisions Financial Planning Podcast, still the only dedicated resource here in Ireland. In this episode Paddy speaks with Stephen Browne, who is owner and distributor of Voyant here in Ireland. There are several providers of this type of software for Financial Advisors and Planners, such as Truth, however Voyant is a leading player in the Financial Planning/ Financial Forecasting Software industry. Stephen shares insights with listeners on what is it, what it does and importantly how financial panning software might benefit you in the long run. While...
2017-06-1943 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #39: The Crash is Coming........What Will You Do!?Regular readers & listeners will by now know that Informed Decisions isn't in the space of trying to predict the markets, we leave that to the fortune-tellers of this world! We don't see any benefit in dissecting the daily news-feed and trying to interpret what that means for our investments, pensions, property prices etc. Nobody can do that with any degree of accuracy. Also, what difference does it make if the price of something which you intend holding for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years fluctuates by 0.1 or 1% this week?? And that is what this week's shortish blog is out...
2017-06-0621 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #37: The Emerging Science of Positive Psychology with Dr. Jolanta BurkeMany of us have heard of psychology, many of us have heard of positivity, yet not many of us have heard of Positive Psychology, which is an emerging science in and of itself. That's why we are bringing it to you, and looking at how we can utilise it in managing our finances. In this episode we are delighted to host Dr. Jolanta Burke, a Doctor of Positive Psychology, a visiting Professor in Trinity College's School of Psychology, and a Senior Lecturer in School of Psychology, University of East London. Whether you are considering your budgets, planning...
2017-05-1945 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #35: Teaching Our 'Kids' About MoneyWe all know that money is not the be all and end all.....most of us appreciate that there is more to life and more to being a decent human. We might also recognise that living a fulfilled life is not about having full bank accounts, but it sure does help to have sufficient money to make your own decisions and live the life you want! As parents we are naturally wired to try and create positive futures for our children, that probably why we care so much, right!? As part of that for some parents it...
2017-05-0822 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #34: Help, My Defined Benefit Pension Scheme is Closing!Hi All, Why Is My Defined Benefit Scheme Closing? What Should I Do About My Defined Benefit Scheme Closing? What Income Will I Now Have in Retirement? In this episode we empathise whole-heartedly, then delve and explore the options available to the many many thousands of employees who have 'lost' their Defined Benefit Pension Schemes in recent times. We go about answering the above questions. All is not lost! Most 'normal people' out there (with the exception of financial nerds & indeed yours truly until I started working in this...
2017-05-0124 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #33: The 6 Big Risks & What To Do About Them....USA Style!Risk. The Oxford Dictionary defines risk as 'the possibility of something unpleasant or unwelcoming happening'! It is therefore not a word which most of us are that much inclined towards. There are many forms of risk which many of us don't really think of until it happens! In this episode we will unearth these risks, and indeed share ideas on what one can do to manage them (if possible!). On a related but separate note we are delighted to tell you that we have written & launched our first ever quick-guide resource for you guys!
2017-04-2323 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #31: All About Income Tax & What We Can Do About ItWelcome to Episode 31 of The Informed Decisions Financial Planning Podcast. This Podcast Episode took all of my efforts, Tax is not a subject I especially enjoy but you are worth it! In this episode we explore how Income Tax works, what other tax is generally taken at source, and how to manage the levels of tax we pay. when we approach out Financial Planning in Ireland it can be so important to ensure we are paying the right amounts, and no more! You can check out the full written version of this show...
2017-04-1027 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #29: Behavioural Finance (Part 2) with Dr. Daniel Crosby (& Our Annual Survey Results!)Welcome to the latest Podcast in Ireland's only dedicated resource on Financial Planning for millennials. In this episode we bring you Part 2 of the Dr. Daniel Crosby Interview (New York Times Best-Seller might I add!) as well as the results of our Annual Listener Survey. I promise to be as concise as is feasible! If you are a new visitor to Informed Decisions, have a quick look over here to find out what we are all about and why this blog & podcast exists in Ireland. If not, welcome back! As always, you can check out our Podcast...
2017-03-2734 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #28: New York Times Best Seller- Dr. Daniel Crosby on 'The Laws of Wealth' (Part1)It is not too often that we get to speak to a New Your Times Best Seller, so we are so chuffed to speak to Dr. Daniel Crosby, a specialist in Behavioural Finance. If this term is new to you then you are in for a treat. If you are familiar with it you are also in for a treat! Join Paddy on Part 1 of this special interview to learn his fully researched strategies for managing your financial decisions for maximum results. If you have not then you really need to join our exclusive mailing...
2017-03-1531 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #15: When Can I Retire?..............Great Question!Hey! If you have ever wondered about any of the following: What age can I get the State Pension? When can I access my other Pension Funds? How much will the State Pension Provide me with? If your answer to any of these is 'yes' then this episode is right up your alley! Next week we will look into how one goes about getting one's money from a pension, but that's for another day! Hopeful that this is an informative episode for you. ...
2016-12-1919 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #14: First Time Buyers & Existing Mortgage Holders....Take Control!Hi, Whether you are a first time buyer or are an existing mortgage holder Paddy Delaney (QFA, RPA, BBS) shares some useful information on how to take control of your mortgage, and the benefits of doing so. A recent survey suggests that a large portion of us millennials don't care about the future, merely about the 'now'! Indeed we can often be in a rush to secure our mortgage that we take an eye off the terms we agree to, and we then forget all about it and get on with our lives.
2016-12-1220 min
Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money PodcastPodcast #13: The 7 Powerful Tax Reliefs & Allowances You Should Be Claiming!Hi All, Thanks for tuning in again, this time to Episode 14. Paddy Delaney (QFA, RPA, APA, BBS) outlines the top 7 reliefs, allowances and benefits to claim your full tax benefit, and get the money you are due into your bank account! Below are some links to further useful information.......enjoy! Paddy Delaney. Your Personal Finance Informer! www.informeddecisions.ie contains all the links to all personal finance blogs and podcasts to date, so please do check it out. Here's a link below to the revenue website with...
2016-12-0523 min