Are Prize Bonds for Prize Idiots?
Prize bonds are more popular than ever in Ireland, with a total issued of more than €4 billion. But are prize bonds a good investment? Firstly, what are they and how do they work? Prize bonds are non-interest bearing lottery bonds. Your capital has a government...
Making a Will
A will is a formal witnessed document that sets out how you wish to dispose of your possessions (also called your estate) on death. It’s a fairly straightforward document to put together but as it’s so important I would strongly advise you to use a solicitor to help...
Planning for Life
How we manage our money naturally changes as we move from our 20s into our 30s, our 40s, our 50s and beyond. So, what should our top financial priorities be, decade by decade? There is no one-size-fits-all answer and of course each goal does not in reality fit nicely...
Pension Adjustment Orders
As I mentioned in a previous blog, Divorce - Who Gets What, the division of wealth after a separation adds an enormous stress factor to an already difficult process. After the family home, pensions are often the second most valuable asset under consideration. In the...
How to Invest
The question of how to invest is an important one, never more so than in a time of stock market turbulence. 2018 has seen one of the US stock market’s worst ever days, followed by a six day rally, but all adding up to a resurgence in volatility. So, how to invest (and...
Probate in Ireland
It’s not a subject we like to dwell on but it is important to know what happens to our money after we die. Knowing the processes involved (and how long they take) is a great motivation to structure our finances in a way that makes it as easy as possible for our...
Pensions Made Simple (ish)
Made simple, really? OK maybe I’m setting the bar too high but I want to tell you all you need to know about pensions. I’m bored already. Wait, this is important. Just give me 2 minutes of your time. OK, go on then, why do I need a pension? Because your income could...
Why You Should Own Your Own Home
While scarcity and affordability is a major problem for many young people considering buying their first home, there remain many reasons why you should strive to own your own home. 1. Inflationary Asset Although inflation is at cycle lows right now, it will return. It...
The Money Smart Investment Philosophy
Investing money demands care and consistency. Our investment philosophy consists of six golden rules based on global best practice which we apply to every client portfolio. 1. Have a Plan and a Process A stable decision-making process through boom and bust eliminates...