Call us today! 041-9888043
help@informeddecisions.ie

Category Archives: Planning

Blog119: How Early Can I Retire?

Blog119: 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...
Read more
Podcast147: How Early Can I Retire?

Podcast147: 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...
Read more
Podcast145: Making My ARF Last Longer

Podcast145: Making My ARF Last Longer

If you have, or are soon to have, an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) you might benefit from the following research. Wondering how to make your ARF last longer? How to generate as much income as feasible from your ARF? This week we continue where we left off 2 weeks ago, and as promised share some strategies...
Read more
Blog118: Duracell-ARF…Making Your ARF Last Longer!

Blog118: Duracell-ARF…Making Your ARF Last Longer!

If you have, or are soon to have, an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) you might benefit from the following research. Wondering how to make your ARF last longer? How to generate as much income as feasible from your ARF? This week we continue where we left off 2 weeks ago, and as promised share some strategies...
Read more
Podcast144: The Abraham Okusanya Interview

Podcast144: The Abraham Okusanya Interview

Welcome to Informed Decisions Podcast, Ireland's #1 Finance Blog & Podcast. As we continue our 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. We explore questions such as the following:
  • How to invest as...
Read more
Podcast143: How Long Will My ARF Last?

Podcast143: 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...
Read more
Blog117: How Long Will My ARF Last?

Blog117: How Long Will My ARF Last?

Welcome to Ireland's #1 Finance Blog! 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...
Read more
Podcast139: A Life Changing Sum Of Money

Podcast139: A Life Changing Sum Of Money

Welcome 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,...
Read more
Blog113: A Life-Changing Sum Of Money

Blog113: A Life-Changing Sum Of Money

Welcome 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,...
Read more
Blog112: The Spice Girls – 20 Years Of Inflation

Blog112: The Spice Girls – 20 Years Of Inflation

Financial Planning in Ireland is on the up. Based on my experience at least, Planning is what people really really want. They may NEED a product to help them achieve their plan, maybe. But they want a plan first and foremost. They want to know that they will be OK financially, that they can afford...
Read more
Podcast137: Reducing Inheritance Tax

Podcast137: Reducing Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax planning is most certainly a balancing act, is fraught with concerns and challenges, and is one that I see individuals struggling with quite often. When you die you may want your estate to pass to your children or other loved-ones but them having to potentially pay a significant % of the estate in...
Read more
Blog111: How To Reduce Inheritance Tax

Blog111: How To Reduce Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax planning is most certainly a balancing act, is fraught with concerns and challenges, and is one that I see individuals struggling with quite often. When you die you may want your estate to pass to your children or other loved-ones but them having to potentially pay a significant % of the estate in...
Read more
Podcast136: The 5 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes

Podcast136: The 5 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes

ARFs, AMRFs, AVCs, Annuities all form part of retirement planning, but as usual there's far more to it than products! Welcome back to Informed Decisions Finance Blog. As part of my own motive to share information and to help others with their financial education I am a volunteer representative of the CCPC (State body that aims...
Read more
Blog110: 5 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes To Avoid

Blog110: 5 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes To Avoid

ARFs, AMRFs, AVCs, Annuities all form part of retirement planning, but as usual there's far more to it than products! Welcome back to Informed Decisions Finance Blog. As part of my own motive to share information and to help others with their financial education I am a volunteer representative of the CCPC (State body that aims...
Read more
Podcast135: How To Build A €1m Pension Pot

Podcast135: How To Build A €1m Pension Pot

It's been mentioned to me a handful of times that the topics of the Blog tend to be focused on the 'upper end' of things, and that for most 'ordinary people' the figures I talk about here are out of reach. To be fair the figures I sometimes talk about are aspirational, I get that....
Read more
Blog109: How To Build A Pension Pot Of €1m?

Blog109: How To Build A Pension Pot Of €1m?

This week I am sharing some thinking and insights about building a substantial pension pot. We'll explore the impact of time, fees and your 'asset allocation' on the potential pot you can enjoy in years to come......so buckle in! Intro: It's been mentioned by a handful of people that the topics of the Blog tend to be...
Read more
Podcast132: The Impact Of Recency Bias In Investing

Podcast132: The Impact Of Recency Bias In Investing

This week I share a short (but hopefully valuable) piece to raise awareness of something that impacts us all and how we make decisions, and often without us even being aware of it! What Are Biases? If you were shown a photo of 2 different people, based on their appearance, dress, facial expression, ethnicity, and any number...
Read more
Blog108: Beware This Killer Bias

Blog108: Beware This Killer Bias

This week I share a short (but hopefully valuable) piece to raise awareness of something that impacts us all and how we make decisions, and often without us even being aware of it! What Are Biases? If you were shown a photo of 2 different people, based on their appearance,...
Read more
Podcast131: Diversify Vs Asset Allocation…The Numbers

Podcast131: Diversify Vs Asset Allocation…The Numbers

This week we are going to explore two concepts, 'Diversification' and 'Asset Allocation' which can have significant impact on investment success over the long term, and which are shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood. We are going to tell it like it is, share some insights which may surprise you, and give you some food...
Read more
Blog 106: The Best Way To Invest €500,000??

Blog 106: The Best Way To Invest €500,000??

If I come across another 'Best Investments For 2019' or 'Best place to invest €100,000' article I will lose the plot. Reason being that, just like the title of this blog, these articles really are just another form of click-bait. As we all will know, even if we didn't, click-bait is merely a hook with...
Read more
Podcast128: Retirement Relief in Ireland (The Outhouse Version)

Podcast128: 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...
Read more
Blog104: Retirement Relief In Ireland?

Blog104: Retirement Relief In Ireland?

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...
Read more
Episode127: What If My Pension Fund Doesn’t Perform?

Episode127: 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...
Read more
Blog103: What If My Funds Don’t Perform….?

Blog103: What If My Funds Don’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...
Read more
Blog100: What To Do With An Inheritance?

Blog100: What To Do With An Inheritance?

'What should I do with an inheritance' or 'How to invest an inheritance' are questions we might never hope to need to consider but many are forced to answer every year here in Ireland. This week in Ireland's award-winning and unbiased finance Blog & Podcast I hope share some insights which might be of value...
Read more
Podcast124: What Should I Do With An Inheritance

Podcast124: 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...
Read more
Podcast121: The Transparency Task Force with Andy Agathangelou

Podcast121: The Transparency Task Force with Andy Agathangelou

Hi 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...
Read more
Podcast120: Should I Invest Now Or Wait For A Crash?

Podcast120: 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...
Read more
Podcast119: Where To Get Financial Advice In Ireland?

Podcast119: Where To Get Financial Advice In Ireland?

Hey there, it's great to be back after a few weeks of rest over the Christmas, it was probably good for all of us to have a break from listening to me! Anyway, very excited about developing what we are doing here, growing the community, and helping more people get the information they need to...
Read more
Blog95: A Wolf In Sheep-Clothing

Blog95: A Wolf In Sheep-Clothing

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...
Read more
Blog94: Is ‘Entrepreneur Relief’ Any Use To Me??

Blog94: Is ‘Entrepreneur Relief’ Any Use To Me??

Welcome back to Ireland's award winning & straight-talking finance 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...
Read more
Podcast116: What Is Entrepreneur Relief & Is It Any Use To Me??

Podcast116: What Is Entrepreneur Relief & Is It Any Use To Me??

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...
Read more
Podcast115: Congregation 2018 – Beware The Lizard Brain

Podcast115: Congregation 2018 – Beware The Lizard Brain

Welcome 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...
Read more
Blog92: Should I Join My Company’s Pension Scheme?

Blog92: Should I Join My Company’s 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...
Read more
Blog91: Ways To Beat Sequence-Risk….Possibly!

Blog91: Ways To Beat Sequence-Risk….Possibly!

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...
Read more
Podcast111: The Derek Bell Interview – How To Retire Well!

Podcast111: 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...
Read more
Blog89: Procrastinate Later…..

Blog89: 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...
Read more
Blog88: ‘Budgety McBudget-Face’ 2019

Blog88: ‘Budgety McBudget-Face’ 2019

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...
Read more
Podcast109: The Real Impact Of Budget 2019 (Budgety McBudget-Face)

Podcast109: 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...
Read more
Podcast101: Using Trusts In Your Estate/Financial Planning

Podcast101: Using Trusts In Your Estate/Financial Planning

We 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...
Read more
Blog87: Why ‘Risk Questionnaires’ Are Dangerous….

Blog87: Why ‘Risk Questionnaires’ Are Dangerous….

If 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...
Read more
Blog86: The State Pension & Swimming In The Nip!

Blog86: The State Pension & 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...
Read more
Blog85: Is Investing in EII A Viable Option?

Blog85: Is Investing in EII A Viable Option?

This week we are finally getting round to a topic that has been on 'the list' for quite a while. One of the main benefits of pensions that 'the industry' of financial services harks on about a lot is the tax relief that is available on contributions, and that is certainly true. Having said that...
Read more
Podcast102: The 4% Rule In Ireland….

Podcast102: The 4% Rule In Ireland….

This 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...
Read more
Blog 83: The 4% Rule

Blog 83: The 4% Rule

This 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 people here in Ireland seem to have heard of (even many advisors!)....
Read more
Podcast99: When Simplicity Rewards Investors

Podcast99: When Simplicity Rewards Investors

In a meeting last week I was asked why my philosophy toward successful long term investing was so simplistic and boring. I was delighted! For context the people I was working with had understood me to have been in the financial planning profession for 13 years (correct) and that I was a 'finance expert' (marginally...
Read more
Podcast93: The Bid That Could Change Your Life….!

Podcast93: 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...
Read more
Blog76: A Bid That Could Change Your Life…..!

Blog76: A 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...
Read more
Blog74: Beginning With The End In Mind……

Blog74: Beginning With The End In Mind……

If we were to take a close and honest look at it very many of us, I'm guessing, would admit that we have not given much if any consideration to where our journey in life might take us, or indeed where we WANT it to take us. For some reason we don't accept the fact...
Read more
Blog71: Just Start…..Please!

Blog71: Just Start…..Please!

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...
Read more
Podcast87: Just Start……

Podcast87: 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...
Read more
Podcast86: Small Cap Investing…When Small Is Big

Podcast86: Small Cap Investing…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...
Read more
Buying Your First Home……The Pitfalls

Buying Your First Home……The Pitfalls

We 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...
Read more
Blog68- A Last Resort……Section 72 Plans

Blog68- A Last Resort……Section 72 Plans

In 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...
Read more
Podcast 82: A Last Resort……Section 72

Podcast 82: A Last Resort……Section 72

In 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...
Read more
Podcast80: Humans Under Management…..with Andy Hart

Podcast80: Humans Under Management…..with Andy Hart

Andy 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...
Read more
Podcast76: Evidence Based Investing…..with Robin Powell

Podcast76: Evidence Based Investing…..with Robin Powell

This week we get to chat with a guy who is making quite a name for himself. He is advocating for greater investor education, in particular with regards to the long-running debate on the value of Active Fund Management versus Passive or Index investing. This is the latest episode in Ireland's only dedicated Financial Planning &...
Read more
Blog62- What Should I Do With A Salary Raise?!

Blog62- What Should I Do With A Salary Raise?!

According to Central Statistics Office the average salary in Ireland (2016) of a full-time employee was a 'grocery-shop' more than €45,000. Knowing that figure might make you feel that you're doing well or it might make you feel like making progress on the income you are bringing in. In reality this is the main thing...
Read more
Podcast73: What Should I Do With A Raise?

Podcast73: What Should I Do With A Raise?

According to Central Statistics Office the average salary in Ireland (2016) of a full-time employee was a 'grocery-shop' more than €45,000. Knowing that figure might make you feel that you're doing well or it might make you feel like making progress on the income you are bringing in. In reality this is the main thing...
Read more
Blog61- They Died With Too Much Money………..So They Did

Blog61- They Died With Too Much Money………..So They Did

Welcome back to another edition of the Informed Decisions Blog, Ireland's #1 Financial Planning Blog & Podcast! This week we will take on an obscure topic, a topic which is often left till the bitter end before we give it consideration! When it comes to focusing on your Financial Planning, Financial Independence or 'building wealth'...
Read more
Podcast70: Should I Invest in Commodities…..Moooooo!

Podcast70: Should I Invest in Commodities…..Moooooo!

Oxford dictionary define a commodity as 'A useful or valuable thing'. Another definition they put out there is 'A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee'. Whichever way you look at it, be that a useful and valuable thing, or indeed a basic product, Commodities...
Read more
Podcast #66: Financial Well-Being with Jason Butler…

Podcast #66: Financial Well-Being with 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...
Read more
Blog #54- The 5 Simple Things…..(I Promise!)

Blog #54- The 5 Simple Things…..(I Promise!)

Welcome to Ireland's #1 Finance Blog & Podcast. Our purpose is to help you make informed decisions with your money, and importantly to avoid some costly mistakes that they rest of us have made! We are aiming to make this THE home of Financial Planning information and insight for normal people here in Ireland! This...
Read more