Financial literacy isn’t just about understanding jargon. It’s about security and independence, says Leah McMahon - a financial planner with Castle Capital of Limerick. Women are among those being targeted in the government's National Financial Literacy Strategy 2025-2029. So ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday we are looking at the ways you can boost your financial literacy, tackle money obstacles like pay negotiations and come up with a strategy for investing. (Don't worry fellas, you might learn something too)

If you have any questions, suggestions or issues you'd like covered on the show, you can email [email protected]

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

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It's tough making ends meet in 2026, let alone setting aside money for our children's future. But Robert Whelan of Rockwell Financial says it's worth putting away any amount, even to just to get started. In his professional opinion though, an investment strategy is needed to inflation-proof your savings. In this episode of Better with Money we explain some of the most accessible ways you can start that investment journey, like directly purchasing EFTs (Exchange Traded Funds) yourself, or consulting a fund manager to do it for you. We also discuss the most tax efficient ways of passing money to your children, without incurring the whopping 33% Captial Acquisitions Tax. And Robert shares the financial advice he wish he could have given his 18 year-old self. Better with Money is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

If you have a topic you want Better with Money to consider, email [email protected].

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Not everyone was brought up in an entrepreneurial environment, and most of us didn't study business beyond the Junior Cert. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a go. Whether you're simply selling crafts on Etsy or giving school grinds on the side, the bureaucratic side of setting up a business can be a barrier for those who don't move in corporate circles. In this episode of Better with Money, we're joined by PwC partner Colm O'Callaghan to give us a crash course in setting up a small business. From testing out your idea to what tax reliefs are available for micro-businesses, Colm spells it out in plain English. Is today the day you decide to go for it?

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Brought to you in association with PwC

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The average Irish PAYE worker overpays €900 euro a year in tax. That's because many of us don't know we can claim money back on things like routine GP visits or pharmacy prescriptions. There are also tax reliefs that people mistakenly believe they're not entitled to, like the Home Carer Credit. The name might imply it's only available to carers of the elderly or a child with a disability. In fact, it's available to any married couple where one person works and the other is a stay-at-home parent. In this episode, we're looking at ways to put money back in your pocket particularly in light of a disappointing budget for middle-income workers on Tuesday this week. In this episode Alan Purcell of CloudAccounts.ie takes us through the most common tax refunds we fail to claim, and how you could log on to Revenue.ie today to find an overpayment waiting to be returned to you.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Brought to you in association with PwC.

Alan Purcell can be found on Instagram @cloudaccounts Ireland

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If you were moving in with someone and they earned more than you, would you ask them to pay more of the rent? Or in the case of a divorce, how would you divide assets like a pension? The thorny issue of money in relationships is not one that’s generally thrashed out early on in a romance but has huge consequences for couples. That’s before you even get to the stage of trying to understand married tax bands and credits or Pension Adjustment Orders. In this episode of Better With Money, financial planner Kelly Anne Quinn from LifePlanning.ie, outlines the importance of sharing expectations and goals early on in a relationship. She demystifies the tax system for couples and outlines some of the financial scenarios that may arise in a divorce.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to buying a new car, financing options can vary widely. You have to factor in the total running cost (tax, fuel, insurance etc) and then watch out for the hidden ones. Throw in jargon like ‘PCP finance’ and ‘guaranteed future value’ and now you’re completely bamboozled. Irish Times motoring journalist Neil Briscoe joins the podcast to simplify and demystify the whole process of buying a new or used car, with practical tips for potential buyers. He explains the various financing options and which one actually works out cheaper in the long run. The conversation also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of leasing, the importance of trade-ins, and the “shockingly enormous" savings you can make from going electric. Don’t buy a car until you’ve heard this episode!

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland.

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The sinking fund trend is a fancy way of saying you have separate of pots of savings for specific expenses. There's a legion of advocates who swear by the practice. One such enthusiast is Anita Collins, a maths teacher from Limerick who runs the Instagram page @efficientfamilylife. She joins the podcast to explain in detail how sinking funds can help people manage their finances more effectively, help create a buffer for those hefty winter bills and make spending on yourself a guilt-free experience. We also get an update from consumer affairs correspondent and Pricewatch editor Conor Pope who tells us what measures are likely to be - and probably more pertinently - out of Budget 2026.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland.

PwC Ireland’s tax experts are here to help you prepare for Budget 2026, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Visit pwc.ie/budget to learn more. 

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Calling all financial hot messes: Better With Money from The Irish Times can help you – even during a time of crazy prices.

We break down the money questions you care about, jargon free and with people who’ve been there and done that.

Subscribe to Better With Money from The Irish Times wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland.

PwC Ireland’s tax experts are here to help you prepare for Budget 2026, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Visit pwc.ie/budget to learn more. 

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It's nearly Budget Day, and what better time to think about managing your finances? Better With Money will be back soon with new episodes helping you take advantage of tax breaks, survive in a world of high prices and finance that new car.

Brought to you in association with PWC Ireland.

PwC Ireland’s tax experts are here to help you prepare for Budget 2026, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Visit pwc.ie/budget to learn more. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alright fine, we'll admit it. This episode is about pensions. But we're unpacking them in a way that won't melt your brain, we promise. Whether you've started late or haven't even taken one out yet, deputy business editor Dominic Coyle explains:

How to start from scratch, or level up a basic pension plan

Understanding jargon

How employer contributions can help double your pension pot

How to maximise the state's contribution

Ways you can offset the disadvantage of starting later

How the gender pay gap affects women's pensions

Sneaky charges you need to watch out for

Don't think of it as a pension. Think of it as a bucket list fund for your 'second act'.

Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Declan Conlon and Aideen Finnegan.

Dominic answers your personal finance questions every week in The Irish Times. You can send your queries to [email protected] 

For more jargon-free and impartial pension tips, go to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)

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