Informed Decisions Independent Financial Planning & Money Podcast

In this week's podcast, I take another look at Lifestyle and Default Investment strategies for pension funds in Ireland. Something I've discussed before. For the past 7 years, I have been making the case for avoiding Lifestyling for most investors (those that can handle volatility). And it's been a lonely place! While I had nothing but positive feedback from investors regarding these pieces - there was been little if any coverage of it from anyone else. Was I mad, or missing something? It appears not. I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast, I talk about Larry Fink, Warren Buffet, and my granny's kitchen. Larry Fink is renowned for his role as the CEO of BlackRock, one of the world's largest investment management firms. Much like Warren Buffett, Fink has earned a reputation as a visionary in the world of finance, leveraging his expertise to advocate for long-term investment strategies and the power of capital markets to drive economic growth.  While it might be considered by some as a 'poor cousin' of the Berskshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting, Fink publishes an annual letter that gets little coverage but does contain some interesting ideas and reflections on markets, investing and life. Hope you find it interesting.

In this week's podcast, I talk about the Wealth of Health.  Something slightly off-topic this week, and something far more concise that usual. I hope it helps you. A definition of wealth is 'a plentiful supply of a particular desirable thing'. Money is a desirable thing - and we put a lot of focus here on accumulating and protecting that in an efficient, stress-free and proven way. What else is desirable to most of us? I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast I take a look at Fisher Investments Ireland. Fisher Investments have been around the USA a long time apparently, and recently set-up shop in Ireland, but are Fisher Investments Ireland any good, I hear some ask? Are they a fish out of water, or are they a saviour landed on our shores! Lets find out! I hope it helps.

One of my favourite podcasts is The Compound & Friends featuring hosts Josh Brown and Michael Batnick of 'Ritholtz Wealth' in the US. They are irreverent, funny, informative and between them and their varied guests (they call them 'friends'!) share some great insights and information. In recent weeks they have touched on a wide variety of topics, but two in particular caught my attention most, and I felt might be worth sharing with you in this weeks' podcast. I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast I talk about the scandal of UK investment firm Saint James' Place. It is a monstrous financial advice and investment firm regulated by the FCA in the UK. It has been marred by scandals over the past few years. They've been accused of it all; from 'rogue' investment managers (whose clients are still trying to get their money back), to recent over-charging claims. Is there a lesson for us to learn here about it? Lets take a quick look.   I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast we talk about Retirement Investment: The Case for Equity Over Bonds. Research published in October 2023 suggests a significant shift in retirement investment strategies is merited. The research indicates that retirees often benefit more from an equity-focused portfolio rather than the traditional equity/bond split.  In Ireland, embracing an all-equity portfolio comes with its distinct advantages and challenges for retirees. I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast I talk about S&P500 and if it's a good idea or not to go All-In. Should you bet all your investment or pension assets on the good 'ol S&P500? Or would you be considered 'bananas' to do so?!? As with a lot of my podcasts, this is inspired by a recent conversation. Conversations that I love to have and to explore with clients. Could one say that a financial advisor is not doing right by their clients if they are NOT advising all their clients to go all-in on S&P500 or the Nasdaq??! It's important to make an informed decision. I hope this helps!

Pension Lifestyling in Ireland is rampant. By my reckoning, the vast majority of people with pensions are invested in insurance company pension schemes using 'Pension Lifestyling'. This week I explore if that is a prudent approach for you as a pension holder on the cusp of retirement, or a useless sales tool that you should avoid like the plague.   I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast Paddy has a fantastic chat with Anne Lester.   Anne Lester is a retirement expert, author, media commentator, top-rated speaker and former Head of Retirement Solutions for JPMorgan Asset Management, where she worked almost 30 years. In 2020, Anne was recognized for her extraordinary lifetime contributions to Americans’ economic security with the prestigious Ray Lillywhite Award.     Anne, like Paddy is on a mission, her mission is to help rising leaders to retire on their time and target.     Key topics Financial planning Anne's journey How and why she wrote a book How and why she didn't lead by example all her life Key things she recommends people can do to rewire and rethink how they go about their own money management     Anne's book: Your Best Financial Life is set to be released on 12 March, 2024.   Money Doesn't Grow On Trees: A Parent's Guide to Raising Financially Responsible Children     https://annelester.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/savesmartwanne/ @savesmartwanne on Instagram  https://www.youtube.com/@savesmartwanne     Hope it helps.

Something a little different, and a lot shorter this week. Far too often, when a prospective client asks me to run the rule over their financial affairs, I see complexity and sophistication, and resultant negative outcomes. It is not their fault, it is the fault of 'experts' plying their 'sophisticated' trade. I hope it helps.

On this week’s podcast, Paddy talks about which investments of the past few years in Ireland were the best. He will analyse two very different investment approaches; one a middle of the road insurance company approach, the other an aggressive multi-national fund manager approach. And before delving in, consider what you believe the meaning of 'best investment' is!?   Depending on your perspective it could be any of the following; Least volatile Lowest cost Most transparent Highest returns Most diversified Most volatile Hope you find this helpful  

In this week's podcast, we talk about retirement planning strategies for business owners in Ireland. Retirement marks a significant milestone in life. And I believe it fair to say that it is especially so for many business owners, who have often spent years nurturing their beloved businesses! In Ireland, effective retirement planning is crucial, not just for ensuring a comfortable retirement but also for optimising tax liabilities. The main reason I am choosing this short topic this week is because when one hears the words 'retirement planning' one may automatically think of 'pensions'. However, in any effective strategy, a pension is only one of several tools at your disposal to maximise your financial life.  I hope it helps.  

In this week's podcast, we talk about Auto-Enrolment Pensions. In the second half of 2024, Ireland is hoping to introduce Auto-Enrolment Pensions. Many people will have heard whispers, and some may be fully aware of it. However, for many employers, there is a bit of concern as to exactly what they may or may not need to do about it all! Let’s take a quick look. To register for this free webinar CLICK HERE to book your spot.

In this week's podcast, we chat with Christine Kearney CTA from VengaPeople. Christine offers tax and business advice to people living in Ireland and Irish people living abroad. Key topics Business exit and expansion planning Estate planning Residency planning I hope it helps.   Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike Christine Kearney

Gifting €2m to your family tax free. At first glance, this seems impossible and/or undesirable but with smart planning it is possible to avoid all tax burdens on such a gift, legally and legitimately. In Ireland, the tax landscape, especially concerning wealth transfer, can be a bit like navigating a maze. The culprit? Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), with a hefty 33% rate for gifts and inheritances. This is what we are now conditioned to, but it is frustrating when you see that in the USA for example there is no federal inheritance tax! And while there is a federal estate tax, it only applies to assets over $13m, and the bands start at 18% above that level! But here's the good news for Irish residents. There are legal loopholes, and we're about to spill the beans on the ones that can work wonders for many of us.

I recently came across a wonderful infographic showing 20 mistakes that investors make, and which they should try to avoid. It reminded me that sometimes we in the investing world talk down to retail investors, many of whom are way smarter than those actually in the investment world! It also reminded me of a parenting tip I got once. That was to always encourage a child to do something in a certain way, as opposed to telling them what not to do! So, instead of saying 'Don't bloody drop that glass', encourage them by asking them 'show me how well and how carefully you can carry that glass over to the table'! The positive impact and chances of success are apparently far higher by doing the latter. In an attempt to increase your chances of investment success, here are 20 things (yes, just 20!) that I encourage Irish investors to try and do with their long term investing.

When it comes to leaving a PAYE job or winding-up your own company, there are various types of payments you might receive, or give yourself!   But what about the tax implications of these payments? In Ireland, the tax treatment of payments on cessation of employment can seem like pie in the sky for many people – I'm here to clear the air for you!   I hope it helps.

In this week's podcast, we talk about how taxation of ARF and your Tax works in Ireland. We will put to bed the question of how much tax you pay when you reach retirement and draw State and Private pension incomes. We'll talk about how tax of ARFs works when you make withdrawals and for inheritance and how PRSI works when it comes to an ARF. Hope you find it helpful.

Today we have a very interesting and unique chat with Ravi Koka, CEO and found of StockSnips. Paddy talks with Ravi about how AI is affecting our world and also how it affects the investing and wealth management world. Hope you find it helpful and would love to hear your thoughts!    The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution by Gregory Zuckerman | Goodreads StockSnips