Money Talks

How the Puglia Paddys swapped a €3000 a month mortgage for an €86k home in Italy 27.05.2026 25min

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 of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to build wealth on an average salary 20.05.2026 23min

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 | Guest: Sjoerd Bak The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I made AI my financial therapist. Is it saving me any money? 13.05.2026 24min

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 podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax tips that could save you thousands, with Alan Purcell of CloudAccount 06.05.2026 26min

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The secret habits of financially successful couples 29.04.2026 29min

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 financial planner with Fairstone Limerick) The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Rosemary MacCabe and her husband are tackling $80k debt 22.04.2026 29min

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 how long will their debt journey take? Why are American attitudes to debt so different? And what goes first: the skincare or the nappies? Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Rosemary MacCabe (instagram.com/rosemarymaccabe)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule with personal finance blogger Ellie Kistnen 15.04.2026 22min

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 | Guest: Ellie Kistnen (instagram.com/planningandfinances)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Whelan on the seven silent wealth killers 08.04.2026 23min

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 financial nostalgia to the age-risk gap. Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Robert Whelan (Rockwell Financial)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Irish dodgy-box users about to get hit with fines? Plus, how to get better value from streaming services 01.04.2026 23min

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 | Guests: Adrian Weckler and Dave Hanratty The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Securing your child’s financial future: Money expert Cian Carolan shares his playbook 25.03.2026 25min

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 financial choices actually make a difference? And how can you help your children make good decisions in future? Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Cian Carolan, managing director of DNG Financial Services The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mortgage rate spikes, airfare increases and soaring fuel prices – how the Iran war could hit your pocket 18.03.2026 19min

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 financial ripple effect across the world. Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Saoirse Hanley, Money writer and columnist at the Irish Independent The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Escaping burnout: ‘I threw up on my way to work out of sheer stress and panic’ 11.03.2026 22min

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 what she misses from her previous day-to-day job. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Rosanna Irwin The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Lynch on Homely, the rent-to-buy startup designed to help ‘quirky’ mortgage cases 04.03.2026 27min

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: Andrew Lynch The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heir Hunting: Maeve Mullin of Finders International Ireland on her unique and rewarding career 25.02.2026 24min

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 hunter, what does an average week look like and how do people react when they learn that they might be entitled to a surprise windfall? Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Maeve Mullin, Director of Finders International Ireland The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The art of the possible’ – Martina Hennessy on getting a mortgage over 40 18.02.2026 25min

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 | Guest: Martina Hennessy (Doddl.ie) The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The forehead doesn’t age on its own”: Liz Dwyer on a holistic approach to Botox budgeting 11.02.2026 20min

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 cosmetic industry. Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Liz Dwyer of the Future Beauty Show The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The day we got back to zero was one of the best days of my life’ – Kel Galavan on climbing out of negative equity and learning to invest 04.02.2026 30min

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. But what is it about our own specific Irish nature that affects our relationship with investing? Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Kel Galavan, aka Mrs Smart Money The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ Nothing grows in the comfort zone”: Dan Malone on making your savings work for you 28.01.2026 28min

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 savings and investments in Ireland and to improve on the generally poor levels of financial literacy he sees here. Host: Katie Byrne | Guest: Dan Malone of Honest.ie The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment product See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I start saving in February for next Christmas’: Irish Budgeting Mammy on her savings journey 21.01.2026 25min

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 this episode, she takes us through her savings journey. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Ann-Marie Gaynor The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Forget loyalty”: How you could save thousands by switching your service providers 14.01.2026 35min

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 Sinéad Ryan The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation of any investment productSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.